Hi Keenbean, Thanks for your reply.
Unfortunately I discovered that my sup did know that my chances were unlikely as the only poeple who have been awarded the studentship here have all had a specific background (obviously not the one I have). I was quite annoyed that my other chance of funding was given away to someone who didn't need it (plus they are not even going to use the money to work on the project it is coming from! or intend to stay in research!).
I am trying to not think too much about that and really am wondering if it is reasonable for me to be more direct and ask for funding from another grant that will be in play sooner than Oct 2011.
Like I said this is a world renowned group I am in and do not want to leave. Plus I get on with everyone really well and know I could easily stay here for a 3 year programme.
Obviously I do not want to create a fuss and bad feeling but think I should be able to start sooner than is being proposed.
I  could go somewhere else with my degrees and experience but really want to stay where I am. It is so hard to find a sup you can get on with.
Just trying to think of a strategy and thought other people might know a good way to deal with this situation. Or to give me a dose of reality, that loads of people would love to be in my position and I should just wait! Or I should be brave and look else where.
I don't know!!!
Thanks

Hello all,

I have a story to tell and wondered what other people's perspectives are on it who are unbiased!!

I am currently working as an RA and have support from my boss to apply for a couple of studentships, which I did. I have not been successful for one and still awaiting the other reply. It appears due to political reasons (surrounding my research group) I am unlikely to get the other one either!

I am very annoyed that even though I have more than enough qualifications/experience to at the very least be offered an interview, I am not getting a chance because of internal politics. On top of that I fail to understand or believe how my boss did not know my chances were unlikely as they are prominent in this field and institution and would have known.

One of my senior colleagues had tried to negotiate (with our boss) funding from a new grant for me to start my PhD now. However she did not want to give it to me and wanted me to try external sources first. Today I find out that she has given the funding to another colleague. This colleague has a primary supervisor who can source funding for him, plus he has no intention of staying in research and can just about speak English.

My boss has said that her Plan B is to get funding from me from two other grants that are currently being negotiated, but she won't know for sure if she can secure the money for me specifically until 2011 with me starting approximately Oct 2011!!

I have worked there for over 1 year, have a BSc and MSc in relevant subjects from top universities and extensive experience. Really I wanted to start a PhD by now but am willing to wait up to the end of 2010 for something that is as close to guaranteed as possible. My time there has been great and I have impressed. Plus I get on well with my boss and would like to stay there. It is a great uni with world class academics.

So, what I would like another perspective in is this:
- Am I right to be annoyed that I have been put forward for studentships (and discouraged form applying elsewhere) that were impossible for me to get. A fact that would have been known.
- Is it fair for me to think waiting another nearly 2 years to start a (possible) PhD with this group is unreasonable? There is only so far and so much you can learn as an RA right?

Also, can anyone suggest an approach I could take to see if I get a better deal out of this (i.e start sooner!). I do not want to cut my ties so do not want to offend.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, I am very confused and a bit emotional about it all!!

Thank you

:-)