I've used Zotero throughout my studies (and still do). I have even introduced it to be used in my current job. The ease of use, quick backups, speed and automated importing (just a button press in the browser) all combine to make it exactly what I need. For my purposes in my job, it allows libraries to be easily shared which is ideal. It also imports more than just papers, with websites/patents etc all being imported just as easily. The word plugin works very well although the actual buttons do not look pretty.

The look of Zotero is the only problem for me, as it is not as sleek as Mendely or Endnote. For actually saving pdf versions of papers I use dropox and edit them with a dedicated programme. This makes Zotero a little less of an all-in-one system but I still think it is great.

I always recommend Zotero to others and will continue to use it until I find something better.

The following could be worth reading:
http://www.literaturereviewhq.com/6-tips-on-how-to-choose-reference-management-software/

It is good to know that a masters could be as helpful as people keep saying. Although I still disagree with it being a valid excuse to why I was unsuccessful. I would prefer it if the problem was that I came across negatively or something else that I could work on.

I know that the whole academic career path is very difficult and competitive. And by all means I may not ever be in a position to have a permanent post. I was just going down a rough 'ideal' route.

I could do it part time, my concern was more to do with timescales. I graduated last year, struggled to find a job (there is little in the way of a bioscience industry where I am so I'm doing a job not remotely related to what I'm interested in). I suppose I just feel as though it is getting late with regards to the point of entry, considering the timescales involved in such a career. But that may all be be just worrying far too much -as it seems I am.

The unfairness that I see is with respect to funding. I do not believe that anybody else should necessarily pay for my studies but there should be an accessible method of funding, akin to undergrad, where I could pay back as I earned. If a masters is such a requirement (and the advice/feedback I've received suggest it is) then there should be some more accessible route. Those of us who are the first generation to even attend university let alone consider postgrad study need accessibility. To be clear, accessibility is not being handed funding or money.

The website contains a bit more info on my research in terms of a description of the science (similar to that which some labs have) but not in detail as to what I did or results. I keep results or anything personal off. It was helpful on my last application and got a positive response whilst searching for research experience although it was only the second time that I'm aware anybody actually looked at it. Since I have been using it I've not noticed any effect on my applications in a negative sense, I secured more interviews this year than I did in my previous rounds of applying - but that is probably a result from better cover letters.

But it's certainly something I could re-consider.

The masters is £5,500. If i remain home then all I would need is enough to cover the course fees and I would be able to survive. However, the loan only covers 80% of the fees as I am currently working which means I'd need to borrow more.

That is a question I have been trying to answer myself, as I not only explain my history thus far, but I also created a website which goes into much more detail and I always direct potential supervisors towards this too.

For a couple of the interviews it was absolutely my fault in that I was far too nervous and it had an effect. I can fully accept that as a reason. In one it was almost certainly decided that the supervisors undergrad project student was getting the PhD.

The timescale is my biggest worry so it is good to hear that I'm maybe just panicking a bit.

I do have the option of working a year and then doing it or doing it part time but I'm already reluctant to go back to doing exams as it is. I feel ready for a more research focused studying. The MRes has only 6 months in the lab on the project.

Hi all,

I have been applying for PhD's for the past year and a half with about 6 interviews in that time. All have been unsuccessful with the advice being to do a masters or get research experience. Research experience is proving very difficult to get as much as I am currently trying.

I had been accepted to study a for an MRes however, I cannot afford to do this route. I applied for a scholarship that was advertised but (despite meeting most of the points for consideration) I did not get this scholarship. There is a certain feeling of unfairness in that I cannot afford to follow the main reason I have been given as to why I have been unsuccessful in securing a PhD.

I am now in a position where, for a second year since graduating, I have no further study for September. To say I am disheartened or in great need of some encouragement is a vast understatement.

Has anybody used the professional development loan to fund their masters and how was this option?

Is there any advice people could give relating to making my applications stronger? (I could provide an example cover letter that I modify - heavily - for each application)

Also, from my understanding of the career, it would be 1 year MRes, 3-4 years PhD, 2-3 years post-doc then fellowship / lectureship, totaling 6 - 8 years before I would actually start my own research. Is there any age point at which one would be disadvantaged in a research/academic career?

Thanks,

I should probably add that although I have met a number of people that don't have a masters based on the advice that everybody seems to give me, it is something that would appear to increase ones chance of being offered a place. Or at the very least it means that they need to come up with a better excuse - I am often left asking that if I am a good candidate then there must be something I can do in an interview performance that improves my chances? - it is very expensive to do one in the UK and -even though I have a weird love of learning- I am highly reluctant to do one because of the lack of a suitable funding source (I would happily take out a second student loan, just not from the banks).

A masters may not yet a requirement for most, but it almost feels as though its a case of everybody else has one so where is yours? - Incidentally, that would be a good question to pose to the current cohort of PhD students to see what opinions they have on the matter.

But unfortunately, luck probably has more to do with acceptance than anything but my advice (I'm actually following my own advice for once too) is to try to get experience and to never enter an interview if you've not prepared more than enough. My first ever interview was for a PhD at a particularly good uni (and a particularly tough supervisor) and I messed up by being unprepared/nervous.

I've been applying since my final year BSc (about a year and a half now) and I've had at least 40-50 rejections. Within that time I have had 5 interviews, all at good universities, and in each case where advice was given it was to do a masters. Within the North East (UK) I have struggled greatly with getting any lab experience and this is unlikely to change and therefore a masters is the only real option of gaining more experience for me. 3/5 interviews I came tantilisingly close to getting the PhD, in one, the only other candidate had the supervisor as his undergrad project supervisor, in the second it was the funding panel that wanted somebody with more experience (feedback was to do a masters) and in the third they also found somebody with more experience (again feedback was that most candidates had a masters). In the last 2 interviews I have been told that I was an otherwise strong candidate and have received similar comments from a few positions that did not invite me for interview.

I certainly understand how disheartening it can be but it is certainly worth continuing through and looking at getting as much experience as possible. It also most certianly worth getting interview experience as a PhD is so much more "personal" than many jobs with respect to the relationship between the supervisor and student (hospefully a good one).

Hi all,

I was hoping somebody on here could advise on the following as I have had mixed views from those that I know (None of which have done/have plans to do a PhD)

I applied for a PhD in the Biomed field a number of months ago. After not hearing back I assumed I had been unsuccessful - I was correct. However, I later received an email from the supervisor indicating another project that was available. A number of people were invited down to interview - me included - and then the following day I received an email stating:

".... that the panel agreed you are a very strong candidate for this position. However, we need to clarify a few points with the funding body before we can make an appointment and I am therefore asking you to be patient with us for a few more days."

The outcome of this was that the funding body wanted the PhD advertised through the normal channels rather than just being emailed to previous applicants which is fair enough. I re-applied and the deadline (end of March) was a while ago now.

I emailed the supervisor previously to check the status of my application a little while after receiving the above email which is when I was informed of the issues.

I do not want to be pushy/impatient etc.. so I am hesitant about contacting again. I am not sure if I will be invited for an additional interview or if I will just be contact following the interview of any new candidates of interest.

Should I wait longer, if so how long? Or should I show that I am very eager to undertake this opportunity and email for an update (although I've no idea what to say yet)?

Thank you for any and all help.