I'm nearing the end of my PhD. After a long time of stuff not working, it is now starting to work. Patents look likely. The people who fund me are excited, and perhaps willing to fund more research on my PhD topic. My supervisors are talking about funding proposals, getting an RA in (possibly). They've pretty much said it won't be me.

Is this usual? It feels really awful doing research which is finally coming together for someone else to come along and take over and for my supervisors to not want me involved.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice?

Hi Elle, your post could practically have been written by me (although luckily for me I don't think my group are intentionally making things difficult - it's hard to tell whether that is the case for you too - either way your colleagues need to be aware of how they are coming across). I'm the only woman in my research group too, in a very male-dominated branch of Physics and find it very awkward socially, and am constantly questioning why they picked me - I think a lot of women in our position find themselves thinking that way - google 'impostor syndrome'!. I think it might be worth having a word with your supervisor (be careful how you word it; avoid mentioning anyone particular, unless there is someone who's worse than the rest). Is there a mentoring programme at your uni? If so, I'd speak to the relevant person (it's intended for people with issues which they don't feel comfortable speaking to their supervisor about). I'd second the suggestion to join the society for women in whichever field you're in. Dare I ask what field you're in (vaguely)?

Um, anyone...?

Hi,

Anyone else out there who's interviewed for a Physics PhD, I need your help!

I have an interview for a PhD scholarship in about a week which will consist of a conversation with my potential supervisor and the head of the research group and a separate interview (which they will sit in on) with the admissions tutor. He will be asking me 'basic Physics questions' (not all candidates will necessarily have a Physics degree - though I do - some will have Elec/Mech Eng degrees).

This shouldn't be daunting at all, but I get terribly stressed about these things. It'd really help if someone could tell me the kind of questions they got asked at their interview, so I can (perhaps) reassure myself that it won't be that bad. He did say *basic* - they shouldn't try and catch me out, right....?

I'm an OU graduate with a BSc in Physics (2:1, disappointingly) and have been accepted onto a year long full-time quantum-related masters degree. Since applying, my (& my husband's) financial circumstances have changed, so the nearly £6k price tag and the fact that I'd be unable to work while studying due to time constraints(study hours + it's a 50 mile trip each way to uni) means it seems unwise to take up the offer.

I've looked at scholarships and they all either don't apply as I'm not a grad of the uni I'm applying to/don't fulfill other criteria (some of which are truly bizarre!).

I could work for a year, and *hope* to have enough money to afford it, but can't count on getting a well enough paid job to save. (Also, I'm 32, so time is of the essence here).

We could perhaps take out a loan, but am not sure we'd manage the repayments, so would be risking being financially up the creek.

Have applied for 6 PhDs (various unis), had 3 interviews, been turned down for all three. The other three I don't know, but considering the closing date was March for two of them and I've heard nothing, have to assume those were a 'no'.

There are other PhDs I could go for, but I'm short on time, and often end up wasting time contacting people, only to find the placement has been filled/won't go ahead anymore, despite it being open for online applications on the university website!

So what do I do? The masters starts in the 3rd week of September.

Of course, it would be very easy to just give up and say I should've done all this ten years ago, and try to get a job with what I've got. But I don't want to do that. I do love the field I'm trying to get into. And that's why we're all here, right?

Thanks, Tree, I feel a little reassured!

I've been shortlisted for a PhD scholarship (in Physics, if that helps), which is great. However, it specifies that you need to be expecting to get a 1st. What happens if I don't? If they really thought I was the best candidate, but I only got a 2:1, would they overlook it or have to turn me down? Has anyone else been in this situation?