Hi, I know this is an old thread but I thought I may as well just carry on here and update a little.

In the last sixty-odd days I’ve had no luck with research assistant jobs and it’s killing me.

I’ve always been told my previous project tutors (I’ve had two), post –docs and friends that I’d make a good researcher or academic, which is flattering. If I was given a project and somebody told me to go and find out an answer to a particular question, use certain techniques and write a report (like my BSc and MSc projects), I’d get stuck in, start going down avenues that I find interesting and hopefully come out with a very satisfactory report.

However, I feel as if I’m still weak as an independent researcher. By this I mean trying to come up with a research proposal, with methodology and all. Is (or was) this feeling familiar to anybody?

The reason I’m going on about this is that (as you can see by my above posts) I had this idea of doing a 1 year MPhil because I wasn’t prepared to commit completely to a PhD. Although now I’ve found out that the medicine application has been unsuccessful and I’m still very much interested in research.

And my Dad, who is a PhD in a humanities subject, has been urging me to apply for an MPhil (He’d even help with the fees). But I really don’t know where to start with coming up with a project. I could obviously aim for an advertised and funded PhD starting 2010, though that would leave me with the question of what I do until then, especially if a job doesn’t come along (I know I have to stay positive but it may happen). I was also talking to someone who said that I may find it difficult amongst other ‘competitors’ if I’ve been out of the scientific/academic loop for a while.

I know I’m rambling a bit but I’m just frustrated. I feel as if I’m slowly wasting my life away. I’m hitting the big 2-3 in a few weeks. I always thought by that age I’d be sorted.

PS: Sorry if this is hard to read. Depending on what website you're reading this on, the paragraphs may not show for some reason

Thanks guys for the replies. I see the point of view that it would be more beneficial for me to get a RA post rather than spend even more money on another qualification (because I think there is little or no funding available). Although these days it'll probably be more competitive with there being a lack of jobs and all. I'm currently unemployed (just doing some volunteer work) and I'm worried that the larger the gap between when I finished my MSc (september 08) the less desirable I'll be to employers. Anyway, I've seen a few posts that I shall pursue.

I suppose it'll also give me an insight into the world of academia if I were to complete my PhD one day. I've heard many things about it but its better to experience it yourself. Sooo we shall see ...

Hello everybody. I've been hanging around these forums for years but this is my first post. I'm considering doing a year long MPhil (I'm aware that it's 2 years at some uni's). Although I feel that I do not want to commit 3-4 years to a PhD just yet, I'm keen on doing some research (cancer research related) in the coming academic year before maybe going onto med school or paid work in industry if med school doesn't work out.

I know that with a PhD you can apply for projects listed on websites like this one for example. But what would you advise I do if I want to do an MPhil. Can I contact the same people and just say I'm interested in doing a year long project in the first instance?

In all honesty, although I enjoy the research process (despite the frustrations!) I find the prospect of coming up with my own topic and doing the whole proposal thing quite daunting, so I would probably prefer a project that has been advertised. Also how do people find the idea in general seeing as I already have a BSc BMS (2.1) and a taught MSc in pharmacology (Merit)?

Thanks