Hey all,
I'm quite curious as to what you think- is it the lab or the university that matters more in terms of a PhD? I've got an offer to do one of the Oxbridge 4-year rotation programmes. The labs that would suit me seem ok, publish reasonably often and in fairly good journals, but in the past few years it seems to be mostly reviews which is a bit worrying. I would do 2 rotations, but I'm still worried I will not pick the lab well, especially that the department doesn't really specialise in what I want to do. But then, Oxbridge is a brandname, that is bound to look good on a CV.
On the other hand, my current undergrad project supervisor is trying to figure out funding for me. It's an excellent lab, where previous PhD students got papers in Nature Neuroscience. I really like what I'm doing there and I can happily see myself working with these people for the next 3-4 years. The university is a good one, but it's not Oxbridge.
People who advised me are divided pretty much half and half. I have a preference, but obviously I should make a decision based on what's best for my career, so as part of an attempt to collect opinions, I'm wondering what you would pick- an Oxbridge rotation programme, or a PhD with your undergrad supervisor, still good uni, excellent lab.

Good lab always beats good uni (IMO).

I'd go for the supervisor/lab you feel would suit you better, and the research area that interests you the most, especially as you say it's a good university anyway. I don't think the 'Oxbridge' brand matters as much for a PhD as for an undergraduate degree, for your post-PhD career especially in academia the quality of your research, publication record and letters of recommendation from your supervisors will matter more than the name of the insitution. Even for undergrad I'd probably say go for the uni you like and the course that interests you, over a prestigious name, as you're more likely to do well that way.

Definately go for the lab and supervisor you like - it's meant to be pretty intense if you do a PhD with a lab / supervisor you're not comfortable with, and sounds like you might regret it if you choose the Oxbridge project.

Hey! I would definitely go for the good lab and supervisor over the 'brand name' of a university you have doubts about. Years back I moved from a top uni with an average department for my subject to an average uni with a top department, and I have never regretted this choice- it was the best thing I ever did! And I agree with the others- I think the uni itself matters more for your undergrad degree, but beyond that your work will be judged for what it is, where it is published, and who you are working with among other things. I think it's also hugely important to be with a team of people you can work with well- I am on a team of about 12 people in my department who work on similar topics and I really appreciate being part of such a great team where we all get on and are prepared to help each other out, and where I have people who share their experiences and who I can learn from. Def go for the lab in my opinion! Best, KB

Thanks guys, that's valuable advice. If it's the publications not the uni name that would matter (even if I going to work abroad in a few years time), then that's another reason to opt for staying where I am. On the other hand, would it not look bad on me to stay for undergrad and PhD in the same place? Everyone seems so obsessed with moving around to get more experience these days.

Hey again Kari! The question of whether it's okay to stay on at the same uni is a familiar question on this forum that crops up time and time again, and usually receives mixed responses. I have been at the same university for my BSc, MSc, my PhD, and I will soon be applying for funding for a post-doc, also at the same university. I don't have an objection to moving uni, but for me I am really in the best place to research what I'm researching, with the best supervisor I could ask for. The team I'm with are great, the department is great, and I am very settled here, so I can't see the point in moving at the moment, although of course I realise that I will have to eventually. I think the main thing for your PhD is to have confidence in your supervisors and a good fit between your research topic and their expertise- these are things that make for a good PhD experience. If that means staying where you are then I wouldn't think twice about it! Just my opinion, I'm sure other people will have different ones! Best, KB

Go to oxbridge is my opinon especially if your working the molecular area (as I am). My reasoning for this is as follows if you go to oxbridge you will be surrounded by experts in all the different areas that you may need for your project so if you have a problem with certain techniques you can just walk down a corridor or go up a stairs and get an answer to your problem with a few minutes which will save you weeks of work trying to trouble shoot. Also the diversity of the of the other researchers you will meet should give you motivation for you own research and will allow you to look at your problems/research area from a different perspective for example if your working on a specific signalling pathway somebody from another tissue type may be looking at the same pathway and combining both views and knowledge will really aid in your fundamental understanding of the topic. The biggest barrier to a doing a really good phd in the molecular world is funding its pretty simple if you dont have the money you wont be albe to buy the reall good stuff. At my current uk university im surrounded by really nice people who are friendly and helpful however we severly lack expertise in many areas that I would like to include in my project and so i wish now i did not turn down an offer from a top german university. From my personal experience my advice would be to choose oxbridge.

@Keenbean - thx :)
@Myostatin- You have a very good point with funding, this is much better at Oxbridge. Do you think that's the most important factor? The problem is, they aren't really very Neuroscience- focused, so I'm a bit worried I won't get enough support. On the other hand I know the people here and I know I will get help.

Hi Kari,

I had to make a similar choice and I chose not to go to Cambridge as the supervisor did not have enough funding and I generally didn't like the vibe I got. I am very very happy with the choice I made and my current supervisor is fantastic. I have been doing the PhD for 4 months and it is going really well. I would say choose the one you think you will be happiest and enjoy. From what you said it sounds like you may be better off staying where you are.

Cheers,
Superman