Hi to everyone, I'm disperate, it's 8 months now that I'm searching for a PhD (no matter what or where) and didn't find anything! I'm graduated in tropical agriculture from Florence UNiversity with honours, speak 4 languages and had experiences in working in developing countries. What I'm doing wrong? PLease help me.

Even if you are highly qualified your research proposal has to fit with what funders are looking for - talk to someone in your area of expertise and check out what the funders are looking for. In my field of research I eventually got funding with an 'exemaplary' proposal - but it was turned down flat by another funder - it didn't fit there profile. Don't give up - just make sure you fit.

p.s sorry about typos - it is late and I have been note taking all day/evening

PhDs are funny things - alot of it depends on luck and other factors as camper and others have mentioned. I read a good one in one the recent threads! Quite often in science they already have someone interanlly in mind for the position. So you never know know who you are up against but the important thing is yourself fit their profile. Relevant work experience is definitely a bonus. Get some voluntarily if you can't get paid experience as that makes you look very keen. Or get a Masters as that increases your chances.

cont'd ... don't worry about the length of time it takes to find a place as I know it may be disheartening not to find one but you will get there in the end. It took me a few years to find mine and I found volunteeting was the key to getting my place through contacts met while I was doing it. Have you asked for feedback to see what you could improve upon? I find asking what my strengths and weaknesses were was quite helpful. Also ask what suggestions they have for improving your performance.

opps ... I've just read what I've posted and realised I've missed a few words out here and there so I'll leave it your imagination where they go! You can have a prize for spotting the typo as well! It must be too early in the morning or something! It is a Sunday afterall!

Luca, don't feel desperate. Do a search at www.google.com with the words of the area that interests you and a word PhD, and you will see many university websites offering phd in this field. You can narrow down the search by using Advanced Search option and limit domains to “ ac.uk ” if you are interested in British programmes. Go to the website of each university, and see what programmes they have to offer. Look at professors’ profiles there and find the ones that are interested in area close to yours. ... continued

Continued ... Email them, say who you are and what you are interested in. If you get replies, you will have to write a very good research proposal (read all recent research articles in your field before writing), and send them the proposal to see if they will be interested. If everything goes well, order application documents from those universities, fill in application forms, gather all the necessary documents, and apply! I am sure if there is an interest from a professor before you apply, then it will be easier to get in.

Try CATIE in Turrialba, Costa Rica. It is a world class research center specializing in tropical agriculture and may have something that can fit.

Thank you. I'll try your suggestion. I guess the most important weakness are TOefl and Gre examinations that still dont have. I'll try to ask about feedbacks. Thank you, and you're right, we should never give up!

I talked with professors and other people, and they say that in order to get employed as a PhD you really need to get known previously in the University, with internships/assistantships. Does it mean that is better to ask for internships before PhDs?