Project management does not always paint an exciting picture what with different Gantt charts and budget sheets. Recently, I was struck by some interesting quotes by Scott Berkun. Berkun is…
Want to blog for jobs.ac.uk?
I have been writing blog entries under this blog for many months. The aim was to give insight into issues faced by students during a PhD. I am hopeful that…
Research experience before PhD
When students apply for a PhD program, their background and preparation for the PhD is considered mainly via the range of course work and performance in those courses. Letters of…
Academics do not just teach
When some people outside academia ask about the role of a postdoctoral researcher, they expect that it is mainly a teaching job. It is surprising for them to find that…
Some comments on vivas
Vivas can vary with the nature of research, attitude of the examiner and the flow of the conversation. However, there are some standard questions which one can easily expect: Can…
End of the road
Although I had submitted my thesis in mid-summers, I finally had my viva. My life is as a PhD student is now official over …thankfully on a successful note! Although…
Countdown timers
For many people, the only way to finish papers and projects is to have deadlines. Deadlines themselves are not always easy to keep track off. One may note down a…
Micromanaging supervisors
One can encounter many PhD students who complain that their supervisors don’t have time to supervise them properly or that they could not be bothered until the annual progress report…
Habilitation
My research group’s head is currently completing his habilitation. He was surprised that I knew about habilitation as it is not an academic qualification universally required for tenured positions. However…
Quasi-academic jobs
The Chronicle has an interview of Scott Keeter who after twenty-four years as university faculty member is now working in a think tank The interview dwells on the similarities and…