I gradueated in 2002 and am looking for a PhD in molecular biology. However, as many of you have already found this appears to be a lot more difficult than I first anticipated. While I am getting some interviews, the outcome is always the same - I'm told that I interview well but ultimately dont get offered the place. I already feel that I've wasted a year and dont want to end up in the same situation next year. Doing a masters seems likely to put me in more debt without any promise of employment when finished. Any advice?

Hello mate. I have recently been to two interviews and have just been told that i have not got any of them. I am tired of it already. I thought that i would be ok as i have a years research experience in the USA, but i am still finding it difficult. The problem i am having is that my experience is in a different field to my degree and i want to continue along the lines of my past experience, not my degree.

....therefore, the thing that i keep getting is that i dont have this background or i dont have that background. Its really starting to wind me up.

I'm the same. Couldn't get a PhD in microbiology as I didn't have enough molecular biology from my BSc. So did a masters in molecular biology and virology...

...and now people don't want me because I don't want to do molecular biology but medical microbiology which involves lot of molecular biology. And I don't have 'the relevant experience'.

Does anyone out there know how to prove to these people that research (PhD) is all I have ever wanted to do? I have applied for more than 60 PhDs in 2 years and have had interviews butall I get is I am not academically qualified. 2 degrees and a diploma??

I am intending to start my applications for phds but would you recommend i reconsider the research area, as the one i want to study now is more conservation (ecology + behaviour) biology whereas my previous degrees relate to botany, zoology and molecular bio!

try a MSc, bad first degree (due to illness) and five years of experience. The people that say I shoud do it haven't got the money to fund me. Individiual supervisors want me but where its decided by a panel I don't get a chance AAAAAAHHHHHH!

frustration is not solution, to any problem you can start with scrap and you can come up. believe in god

I have been working as a research assistant for 2 years since graduating. I gained a 2:1 in microbilogy. My bosses keep telling me that I am an attractive candidate for a PhD. However I have applied for 20+ PhDs in London and had only one interview (and that was an internal position). My bosses are great and are trying to get me funding. But, i would really like to do a PhD in Microbiology, I just can't find any. I am at the stage of getting depressed about it AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

You may just be very unlucky, but if you're changing subject then they may feel safer with candidates with microbiology degrees/experience. Ask your current bosses to check your application letters. You may want to try changing one or more of your referees. Many academics read references before deciding who to interview. If one of your references is poor or isn't delivered you may be missing out.

Yeh i would agree with the point below from the very helpful team here :). I often chopped and changed my refs depending on where i was applying and what i was applying to. Luke warm refs are no good. All i can say is keep plugging away, it will all come good eventually i promise!!!

Just out of interest, what sort of research experience do you have, if any?