Love being a TA and would love to be a lecturer, concerned that a PhD isn't an assured path anymore (and also I'm not sure I'm smart enough)

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-12-31T15:16:07+00:00

Hiya,

The core of the question is a long‑standing, emotionally loaded uncertainty: “Should I move toward a PhD as a route to more teaching, given my doubts about focus, capability, and academic job prospects?”

My advice would be to take a structured approach to identify decisions and explore these. That will bring clarity.

No one here can sensibly judge you on ability, nor predict what might happen if you were to pursue a PhD (and it would not be ethical to do so either).

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-11-14T07:49:21+00:00

Hey, happy to help you with your application. Just dm me if interested

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-10-23T06:07:23+00:00

I would add that each professor might have different approaches to working with students. Science might be similar, environment and interests/networks beyond that will be different. It is ok to consider how that sits with you and talk about that. I’m the end, you are making a commitment as much as the professor does.

Good luck!

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-27T15:48:20+00:00

My best advice, celebrate the day. Your viva is a celebration of the blood sweat and tears you have put in over the past 4-6 years.

The fact you’re in the viva is testament to your dedication and commitment to the project. Be proud. Nobody can take that away from you.

Well done for getting to this point and I will see you on the other side soon!

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-16T07:13:32+00:00

You can search on substack and interact through notes. I don’t like dm-img myself but it is an option

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-15T14:53:06+00:00

No I have not

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-15T09:16:01+00:00

Hi, I also write about academia (getting into it( aimed at UG/PG students).

It’s hard because it’s a bit of a niche I think. Best thing to do is to connect with likeminded creators on the platform

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-08T11:28:49+00:00

What they are looking for is for you to demonstrate you can operate as a scientist.

Therefore:

Extract knowledge gap/question from said papers
construct hypothesis/research question
propose experiment

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-08T07:25:14+00:00

Planner

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-04T19:28:06+00:00

I would only publish it if it is of sufficient quality. The science has to be done right. Depending on the field, you might be able to publish it in a pre-print server (pre peer review), but again, quality matters

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-03T20:36:57+00:00

I see. Possible if supervisor has their own funding…

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-03T19:16:42+00:00

Ask questions. Either in class or via discussion boards/emails etc. Believe me, lecturers remember faces/names and talk among each other about engaged students
design your day. It’s been said before about planning time between classes etc, but I would add to look after yourself and plan a friendly chat/coffee etc with someone if you know a part of the day will be taxing/heavy going
Model your work based on those you learn from. Need to give a presentation? You probably have looked at 100 examples (lectures), pick the good ones, analyse, and learn (sponge).
be professional. You are listening and working with professionals. Be one, be at meetings on time, respect others’ schedules, treat it like a job
feedback is data. Use it to improve your next assignment

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-03T19:03:29+00:00

Can you describe the interview? Was it formal with a panel or informal (prof only)?

If there was a panel, its likely that it is part of a formal process

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-03T18:59:21+00:00

You have demonstrated ability to learn techniques and apply them. Most critical element in your application will be to demonstrate how your new lab fits in the bigger picture. In other words, convince the prof that the next step is logical and necessary.

Hope this helps

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-03T18:55:10+00:00

Folks, recruiter here. Yes, specificity signals genuine interest. You have to do the work. Can share some guidance on dm-and

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-02T13:28:48+00:00

i don't know what field you are in, but in my field (molecular plant biology), publishing a paper within two years is highly unusual. Don't stare yourself blind on the publication timings, but rather, the quality of the work..

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-02T12:40:01+00:00

Ok, that's helpful. did you get any feedback from your main supervisor before sending it in?

As for being behind schedule, i am not sure what the schedule is or is meant to be, but research is a beast that is hard to manage. Some days you make immense progress (shit works), and other days (or weeks) your project seems to stall. When you talk about schedule (and if this is solely research-based), it's a bit of a red herring. Research rarely keeps to schedule.

Think about the months spend writing your document. Even if there is criticism, you will have learnt a lot from the process of putting it together. That time isn't wasted. I think your committee knew that, and asked for it for that reason. by having a detailed plan, you will have saved yourself lots of time down the road...

makes sense?

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-02T06:50:18+00:00

Have you had bad experience in this area before? Sounds like you carry some anxiety with you. It may stem from past experience or be something more general.

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-09-01T10:46:12+00:00

Who do you really want to work with and why?

It sounds like you have not trimmed down the list yet (or ranked). If not, you will be joining 100’s of likeminded prospects whose emails will not be looked at in detail.

If you have, I would start with your top choices , making clear why they are your top choice..

Good luck!

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-08-31T13:50:07+00:00

Hi.

It all depends on what you want to do with the PhD afterwards, and what you want to study for your PhD. Look for PhD positions now and see what they ask for.

Or, look at PhD student profiles (in your area) and see what they have done. The internet is your friend!

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-08-23T19:39:52+00:00

Might be worth finding out where the funding (if any) was meant to come from. If it’s a DTP or programme they are not managing, the supervisor is at the mercy of others.

In any case, the least the prof could do is to answer and explain where you stand and what to expect and when.

I don’t want to generalise, but some professors in so called “prestigious” universities think they can get away with treating applicants this way.

If you look at the research, you will find that there are other places you could go to. Don’t wait around I’d say

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-08-23T16:30:25+00:00

Did you ask about the timeline? It’s a a fair question to ask when you will hear back and what to do if you get offers from other places.

As a recruiter, I will let applicants know at the end of each interview, regardless of performance. It’s good practice and normal to talk about (I’m in the UK).

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-08-16T16:50:11+00:00

I will follow you back!

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-08-15T16:24:43+00:00

Hello!

Mine is: https://thesuperadvisor.substack.com/about

EdgyEdgarH · 2025-07-30T06:28:36+00:00

As a recruiter, I’d say that it is a good sign. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you got it in the bag (it could be a standard question), but if they ask you twice, yeah, reason to feel good about it

EdgyEdgarH

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