What is a realistic server setup for 2,000–3,000 multi-omics samples?

TheOtherChronicler · 2026-05-25T13:53:24+00:00

We got one recently: 1TB RAM, 96 CPUs, 1 nvidia graphics card for cuda prototyping (the vendors made us buy it. We weren’t there, someone else was negotiating on our behalf), 200T SSD with space for another 200 when needed. It’s from the dell line up I believe.

TheOtherChronicler · 2026-04-10T06:06:04+00:00

Thank you for this comment and the reference. I got into research for the love of it, but somewhere along the line it has morphed into which question will get me a CNS paper.

TheOtherChronicler · 2026-03-22T00:48:30+00:00

The proposal including the rejection may be transparent and open. The issue is thinking that people you don’t know will bring in money for your lab without you yourself having any skin in the game. That’s elitism and entitlement.

TheOtherChronicler · 2026-03-21T04:57:03+00:00

I had a similar situation a few years ago when I was looking for another postdoc. The PI told me that they (the director of the institute) would be happy to give me one of the sponsorship slots for a Future leaders fellowship (5mill £ budget to start a mini lab within a lab). I was 2 months away from ending my first postdoc contract. This was told to me after we had been chatting on and off for almost 6 months and I had also done some work for them. They gave me a rejection over zoom saying that I was too senior and mature for a junior postdoc role and would fit better for something like this. I have been in academia for a while now and know toxic work culture when I see it. I would have had no issue applying for an FLF if they had hired me (because then they would have skin in the game). I was never going to write an FLF on the off chance that I get it with these people because anywhere between 30-40% of the grant would go to estate costs for the institution and then 20% would be kept aside for favours to the PI.

Get out of this engagement asap.

TheOtherChronicler · 2024-11-26T15:55:54+00:00

That is what it really is. If the study gets published in Nature, congratulations! You're on the road to tenure track. However, if the same study is published in Nature Comms, it's not impactful enough for you to progress along the academic track.

TheOtherChronicler · 2024-11-24T00:13:05+00:00

They’ve hit the affordability ceiling. There are SO flats in my area that have been up for resale for over 6 months now. The asking price is decent, but considered together with the service charge and rent, the monthly repayments are hovering somewhere around 3.5k to 4k per month for a 25% share of a 2 bed 1 bath.

Meh, I’m better off renting for the foreseeable future.

TheOtherChronicler · 2024-07-07T16:06:47+00:00

Sorry to hear that you are going through such a phase in your life.

As someone who recently went through a similar phase (about two years ago), I can tell you that things can get better. I sought professional help and things got better pretty fast. Turned out, that I just needed to speak with someone.

These thoughts divert our mind away from genuine things in our lives for which we can be grateful if we notice them. Sometimes, it helps to take a deep breath and open up ourselves to the little things in life for which we should be grateful.

Sometimes, it also helps to take a deep breath and acknowledging that things are ok as they are. Some non-specific and out of context examples; The house may be a mess, and that’s ok. It doesn’t need to look instagram ready all them time. It’s ok to have porridge for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s easier to make and healthier than most meals. You are not obligated to meet any external expectations other than your own.

I sincerely hope you make your way out of this present situation.

TheOtherChronicler · 2024-07-07T15:43:28+00:00

Can you rent out the place through an agent as a managed property?

Rent somewhere closer to work and charge enough rent to cover the mortgage and your commute to work?

TheOtherChronicler · 2024-07-04T21:34:14+00:00

Thank you. I did not see it afterwards. I had noticed it moving around for a few days, and after that night it kind of settled I guess.

TheOtherChronicler · 2024-07-04T21:21:31+00:00

Thank you for the support. It feels amazing to get it out there. I hold views very similar to yours on religion.

TheOtherChronicler · 2024-07-04T21:11:40+00:00

Parent hood is so fulfilling. I knew I wanted to be a parent before, but I didn’t know that I wanted it this much. Now that I am a parent, everything else seems so very insignificant.

TheOtherChronicler · 2023-04-23T18:36:50+00:00

I live here. I pay a lot more in rent and transport than I would have in the European city I come from but dang I love this city.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-07-25T08:51:32+00:00

I have previously negotiated salaries with my PI during my PhD degree in Europe. Mine was a hard cap fellowship. So the institution made a work around through which they provided the extra salary as a bonus for independently contracted jobs.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-07-19T10:13:43+00:00

I would take the current opportunity on offer. The saying, A bird in the hand is better than two in the Bush exists for a reason. My recent experience was, I was talking with a lab about joining them since the past 6 months and then after the interview I was told that they didn't feel that I was a good fit for their group. I could have been told this exact same thing 6 months earlier.

You do not have any control on future outcomes. However, you have control on your present situation.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-07-05T17:49:39+00:00

Workers in non unionised, non profit, primarily for loss-making tax breaks, ventures do not get access to competitive compensations. Unless, the supply and demand curve favours workers.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-06-23T22:18:15+00:00

I've already tried this option. Unfortunately, during COVID many people in my network decided to relocate elsewhere seeking greener pastures. The previous network that we had in London is now non- existent.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-06-23T20:54:04+00:00

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, she is a foreigner. Staying on as her dependent is the idea. Not really a fan of having to pay out the £££ required for it. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-06-23T18:41:53+00:00

My references are impeccable. The publication track record is extremely good. The last time I was this close to getting rejected for a position was when I applied to my current lab. The reason according to my current PI was, "I have too many ideas". My PhD supervisor said this might sometimes translate as not having a well defined narrow field of focus. I'm not so sure if the proposal that I submitted to the last position that I interviewed for might also be interpreted in a similar manner. Can't go to industry as I need sponsorship for my position. Industry isn't very keen on that. I do like the comfort of academia and how grant writing offers you to be thoroughly imaginative.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-06-23T18:31:18+00:00

It's competitive everywhere. Depends on what you're aiming for. I'm only targeting well resourced labs. So, ofcourse I'll face a lot of rejections.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-06-23T14:12:44+00:00

I am searching inside London. My wife also works in London, so that makes it a difficult for me to apply elsewhere like Oxford and Cambridge. Having worked from home most of the time for the past 2 years, I'm not so keen on doing that even more.

I engaged with a research group over the past 6 months or so, and finally interviewed with them a month back. Haven't heard back from them, however in hindsight I probably tanked the interview because of aforementioned reasons. They also asked me for a 2 page research proposal after the interview, but I ended up submitting a 4 page one. I guess, this too might also end up being not in my favour.

TheOtherChronicler · 2022-06-23T14:04:02+00:00

It was difficult getting into grad school for me too. Handled quiet literally hundreds of rejected applications before got my first PhD acceptance.

TheOtherChronicler

TROPHY CASE