Took me for lunch and bought me a pint

I'm due to start a PhD at the metallurgy and materials dept in March.

I just got in touch with the department to show interest in the area of research. A week later they invited me for an interview, showed me around and took me for lunch. They've been great so far, and seemed generally interested in what I've done. My potential supervisor spent a good deal of time with me and at no point seemed rushed, which can only be a good sign.

Having said that, I know nothing about the Uni or the city really. Would also appreciate some feedback from people that know about the place.

PS. For those that remember, I was due to start at Manchester Uni after the potential supervisor had accepted me. However, the sponsors eventually changed their mind, so it all fell though. I was absolutely gutted, but hey, s**t happens.

Next problem is that I'm supposed to register at the induction too, which I can't do without my offical acceptance letter. It's probably no surprise that I haven't got this yet either. Hmmm!

I think I'll get on the phone to them tomorrow and get some things sorted out. Otherwise, I'll just get myself more and more stressed. Oh, and yeah the name of the booking lady type person would be cool.

So I think your building is quite close to mine (which is also ugly). It's a pretty cool area to be based.

Again, thanks loads for your avdice. It's been really helpful.

Hmmm, not so sure about Earl Grey, how about Ceylon or Darjeeling? I'm sure we can find common ground tea somewhere.

I am getting a bit panicky now. I've been trawling the internet all night trying to find places to live. I've know a lot of people living in Manchester over the years, so I've got some ideas of ok places to live. Withington's ok, Isn't it? I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't want to be in halls. I preferably want to share a house with other postgrads. As it's a new city for me, I'll need new friends, so housemates would help. Though as you said, beggars can't be choosers. Hmph!

The induction thingy for materials is on the 20th I've just found out, and, and lasts for 3 days. Which is a problem since I don't have anywhere to live yet. Though I'm currently in Sheffield, so travelling everyday isn't a big deal......

Doh! Everyone thinks I'm a girl. Oh well, I'll just have to deal with it. Maybe it's the way I write?

Waterbaby, it's at the materials science centre on Grosvenor Street. I think it's tied in with the school of materials (an assumption, but one that makes sense to me). Which Dept are you going to be in? Also, have you been invited to an induction or anything? As yet, I haven't, but could do with some kind of intro as it's a completely new university and city to me. I get the feeling that they left everything a bit late in letting me know that I've been accepted. So, it's going to be a bit of a rush getting myself sorted in time for October. Eeek again!

ps. Tea is the greatest! (he says, supping on a cup of Assam).

Haha, I must admit the 'babe' surprised me somewhat DanB. Yes, perhaps we should stick to 'Mate'.

Thanks again everyone, I'm still a happy puppy, albeit a hungover one.

Dan, it's in materials research at Manchester Uni. Basically it's to do with developing different methods of measuring residual stress in nuclear components and comparing to modelling techniques. Though, I believe they're still finalising the details of the work.

Boo for waterbaby's tonsillitis! (poor you)

I have been looking on gumtree too. I'm really still quite excited. Drinking lots didn't seem to calm me down. Really need to sort somewhere to live soon though.

Yay! well done to us both! (I'm proud of us anyway, even if no one else is)

And tea breaks would be cool (especially as tea is the best thing in the world).

Take care of yourself and congratulations again.

PS. It's Andy by the way.

Continued....

I wasn't really asked much about the research topic that I was going for, which is a shame as I'd read into it soooo much. I think they were more interested in my motivation and hopefully I came across as enthusiastic.

All in all, it was quite a casual interview, which helped me relax after the first 10 minutes or so.

For some reason, my Athens account from Sheffield is still active, so it was really handy for getting hold of papers.

Waterbaby, I'm sure that you wouldn't just steal your sisters login details, because that would be most wrong! Maybe you will see me being ver lost in the library in October. Eeek! just realised that I need to sort out somewhere to live. *goes off to search internet forums*

Anyway, I'm a very happy puppy at the mo, and will do what I do best in these situations and drink myself silly in the pub this evening.

So, after a wait of nearly 6 weeks, I have just been sent an email offering me the PhD. Apparently they had a delay organising the funding, but that is all sorted out now.

I'm over the moon, especially after such a long wait.

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

Suggy, my interview wasn't quite as expected. After hammering the revision for a couple of weeks before, I got stumped by the first question; 'tell me a bit about yourself'. I did freeze up a bit (not unusual for me), but got over that and happily discussed my interests especially in the field. I was then asked to discuss my final year project that I had brought along. Again, I was quite comfortable talking about this and managed to answer most questions. Still got a bit stuck on the odd one though.

*post too long, so continues in next post. (am I allowed to do that? maybe i just waffle too much.)

Hi Waterbaby,

Erm, no, I'm not there. Has been postponed till Thursday. Typical academic department :)

Still. it gives me more time to read more stuff. Though I think I may be getting carried away with the reading as I've been reading solid for the last 5 days.

I spoke to my undergrad project supervisor yesterday and he seemed pretty hopeful for me. He thinks that I've already got a good understanding of the area and I've got really good lab experience that will be applicable to this position. I'm just hoping that I don't freeze up in the interview (which has happened before). My vocabulary seems to shrink somewhat in interviews, which can be a bit annoying. :(

Fingers still crossed, and yes maybe I'll see you in Manchester :)

It's the materials science department that I'm applying to.

I'm pretty confident in answering questions about my motivation. Especially the tedious stuff like lit reviews. I'm quite good t seeing the positive side to all aspects of research, even when everything is going wrong.

Excellent news on your acceptance waterbaby. Congratulations :)

That's really useful tricky.

I know that I have great lab experience from my placement year in a research department. There are a lot of techniques that I am very familiar with that will be applied with the PhD. I have already started revising my knowledge in these techniques and started refreshing myself with my dissertation.

I'm made up to get the interview, especially as I only applied last Tuesday. Got the email today inviting me to the interview next Tuesday. It's pretty short notice, so I know I've got a busy weekend ahead of me.

After working in a research department already, I know that it's not going to be easy. More to the point, I don't want it to be easy as I really want to challenge myself.

Anyway, fingers crossed hey? I'm excited and scared at the same time :)

Thanks 404. I will do that.

Cheers,

Andy

I appreciate that this is a very broad question. However, I have an interview for a PhD and Manchester Uni next week and am a little nervous.

Firstly, although I have a general understanding of the research area, my knowledge is not excessive. Would the supervisor expect me to have a full understanding of the research topic? As it is I have good lab experience of the techniques that will be used on the dissertation and my final year project involved a similar area of work.

Should I expect a grilling at the interview?

on a lesser note, I assume that wearing a suit would be standard practice at research interview?

As I said, I know that this is a very general query, but would be grateful of any advice that people can give me. This is a very exciting venture for me and I really want to do it, so I want to get it right.

Thanks in advance,

Andy :)