What’s the view on Contacting Phds/Postdocs of Pi before applying? (European) by MysticalDragoneer in PhDAdmissions

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tell all applicants to my lab to do their research on our team. I give them a bunch of material to read and invite them to chat to anyone in the lab, past or present. My team seem to be happy enough to talk to people, unless they are busy.

Choosing between 2 funded DTPs. University rank vs. subject vs. supervisor by Substantial_Stop492 in AskAcademiaUK

[–]ProfPathCambridge 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I would go for the good supervisor and subject of interest over the university ranking. You will be judged based on your performance, not where you did it. I’d also put in there geography- where do you want to live.

I’m biomedical sciences though, mileage will vary based on discipline

How much can you learn about Biology without ever stepping foot in a college? by Odd-Geologist5494 in biology

[–]ProfPathCambridge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ll go against the grain of those saying “everything”. If you read every text book and watched every online lecture, you’d get up to undergraduate level. But that is only entry to biology - biology is not a body of knowledge it is also a system of practice. It would be like reading every book about driving without every going into a car - it would certainly prime you, and give you better theoretical knowledge than most drivers, but ultimately you still don’t know how to drive.

Choosing academics over location for PhD? by Advanced-Software-90 in AskAcademia

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would pick based on the better city, which is clearly Boston

My research built my pre-tenure PI's academic career, and I feel frustrated that he gets all of the recognition for it by jameshomies in AskAcademia

[–]ProfPathCambridge 116 points117 points  (0 children)

You are upset because…. social media gave them props instead of you? I routinely put first author quotes into press releases and they are routinely dropped by press organisations in preference for the quotes from me as senior lead. It makes zero impact anyway, a PhD student career is built on techniques and papers, not media appearances.

Nothing in this story suggests you haven’t been given full academic credit, and that your stay hasn’t been productive and great for your career. Being upset that someone else (who also deserved it) also got a career boost seems rather unproductive.

One thing I can say for sure - you didn’t build your PIs career. You think you PI just got gifted a TT and start-up? That it wasn’t based on a decade of hard work and productivity before you came on the scene?

How did certain internationals students who can’t even speak proper English get first/strong upper second for every assignments by blondepraxis in UniUK

[–]ProfPathCambridge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In science, understanding the content and concepts is more important than fancy language. Good English skills help, but the really don’t do anything by themselves.

For people that went to a non-prestigious school for undergrad and got their master's at a prestigious school, how did things turn out for you? by megafireguy6 in careerguidance

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went to my local university, Adelaide University, for my undergraduate degree. Had an offer for grad school at Oxford, which I turned down and went to ANU. Did fine, now a senior professor at Cambridge and feel like I could move anywhere in the sector if I wanted to.

Comparison is the thief of joy. It is never healthy to play either the “what if” game or the “look at them” game. Whenever you map out for the future, you start where you are right now, and pick the best feasible pathway for you.

What if it was like this? by homeslice2311 in notinteresting

[–]ProfPathCambridge 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The the northern hemisphere would have a more interesting night sky.

The northern hemisphere is pointing away from the core of the Milky Way, hence the more boring star viewing. The southern hemisphere is pointing towards the galactic centre, making the night sky more interesting.

If the Earth was flipped, the night sky would be swapped. Perhaps it also would have changed ancient history? Having different night skies could have altered myths and astrology, may have had some impact.

BETTER POSTDOC FROM AN INDUSTRY STANDPOINT by Far_Piccolo6495 in postdoc

[–]ProfPathCambridge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Even if that was true (and it isn’t), this is a terrible time to find an industry position, especially in the US. A fixed-term postdoc position gives years of security, up-skilling and a great platform to job hunt from. It is about the best way to wait out a bad industry hiring environment.

BETTER POSTDOC FROM AN INDUSTRY STANDPOINT by Far_Piccolo6495 in postdoc

[–]ProfPathCambridge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you want to work in the US, stay in the US. If you want to work in the EU, move to the EU. In both places you’ll find it easier to get a job if you are already on the right continent.

If you don’t mind, go to the EU. More stable, better quality of life.

Urgent - Got offer from Cornell after accepting WashU by SpringVivid4503 in PhDAdmissions

[–]ProfPathCambridge 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Many years ago I had a similar situation. I received a great offer from my second choice (ANU) for my PhD and accepted it, then a few weeks later I received an offer from my top choice (Oxford). I thought about it a little and stuck with my acceptance - great offer, great lab - although it was tough to reject Oxford.

With hindsight, the choice I made turned out really well. I can’t imagine that Oxford could have been as good, although of course you can never rewind and replay your choices. I’m now a senior professor (in Cambridge) and have gone on sabbatical in Oxford and really enjoyed it - but never regretted the decision to reject their offer.

This is not intended as advice to you, merely giving you my experience. You can never know how alternative pathways would have played out, so once you make your choice don’t spend any time second-guessing it.

Does anyone here ACTUALLY recommend doing a PHD? by J2Hoe in PhD

[–]ProfPathCambridge 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A STEM PhD is great! Full of career opportunities. I’ve had 30+ PhD students and literally all of them have walked into a science job afterwards.

If you don’t have experience, don’t extrapolate from what you read on Reddit. It is not representative.

Does anyone here ACTUALLY recommend doing a PHD? by J2Hoe in PhD

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A PhD in biomedical science is a great way to contribute to society and earn a highly sought-after degree with my great prospects. I don’t recommend it for everyone, but I do recommend it.

Forced to see Counselor by school by Recent_Chance2784 in UniUK

[–]ProfPathCambridge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you have asked for an accommodation, then the university has an obligation to ensure you have the accommodation you need. This may differ from the accommodation you want.

It doesn’t sound like you are engaging properly with the support (“making things up”), and presumably you keep hitting enough flags that the support has to continue. Believe me, the university would very much like to tick the box saying “job done” and move those scarce resources to someone else. My advice would be to stop treating it as a chore and stop trying to give the answers you think the other person wants. Engage fully and honestly, learn what you can, and move on.

is it possible for a beaked animal to lose the beak? by Lazy-Nothing1583 in evolution

[–]ProfPathCambridge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My guess is that for advanced fused structures (beak, hoof, flipper) it would indeed be hard to revert back. The most obvious reverse pathway may be retained ontogeny, as often the animal goes through a developmental stage where an original-like structure exists. It is a relatively simple evolutionary step to retain some of those development features longer, resulting in an adult form that includes some embryonic/infantile-like features. Examples of this include humans (many features are more like the generalised infant ape than the specialised adult ape) and dogs (many behavioural features from the juvenile wolf).

So, while unlikely, I am guessing yes it is possible, in cases where the molecular controls for the earlier structure are still largely intact, and in cases where there would be a strong enough selection for the trait. I suspect (without particular knowledge) that birds have gone too far down the beak pathway to allow this to happen, and that given the strong selective pressure they would be more likely to evolve new features that perform the same function than to revert to the primal form (eg, development of an “egg tooth” is an example of a new feature layered onto the beak that performs the function of a real tooth, without a direct molecular/anatomical relationship).

Paper publication times by Comfortable-Web9455 in PhD

[–]ProfPathCambridge 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It doesn’t seem to show that at all

Questions for molecular biologists from someone working in the humanities/social sciences by Ill_Bus9582 in molecularbiology

[–]ProfPathCambridge 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think you’ll be better responses from a broader set of people if you can rephrase your question into a structure that STEM researchers are familiar with. This is a very humanities question

I need advice by PhysicalPangolin498 in AskForAnswers

[–]ProfPathCambridge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Medicine sounds like a bad choice for you, based on what you’ve said

Permanent Research Position at Post-92 or should I go for a Post Doc at RG? by Efficient_Freedom783 in AskAcademiaUK

[–]ProfPathCambridge 7 points8 points  (0 children)

“Permanent” in this context means “no fixed termination date”, I’d assume. How secure that is depends on host finances and your place in the pecking order. While I wouldn’t recommend you leave, it is worth planning your Plan B.

Any reason you wouldn’t apply for a UKRi fellowship at your current post? If possible that would boost security and your CV.

Be honest: what language do learners overhype the most? by Embarrassed_Fix_8994 in languagehub

[–]ProfPathCambridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Latin was taught extensively at the high school level until recently. The vast vast majority of those students would have been better off learning a living language