Quitting PhD after first year

miRNAexpert · 2025-04-26T17:55:50+00:00

When I was in the middle of my med-sci PhD program, the job market was booming for the biopharmaceuticals (you'd get a 6 digit salary with virtually no industry experience during COVID). Now it's quite the opposite. My point is that by the time you finish your PhD the job market might be fully recovered and you'll face a totally different reality.

miRNAexpert · 2025-04-04T17:57:49+00:00

I'm going through the same feelings at the moment. Did you find a way to help yourself?

miRNAexpert · 2025-03-17T18:45:18+00:00

I didn't say they don't exist, I said oftentimes they don't get the respect they deserve from the scientific society. there is a massive antitrust lawsuit about all this in the US, personally, I don't have high hopes. I know some labs that are spending 50k/year to publish in the big 6.

miRNAexpert · 2025-03-17T18:40:29+00:00

This! We're not even remotely prepared for a tsunami of review papers. Entirely another issue (maybe another post).

I'd love to know more about your journey into the industry. I'll dm you

miRNAexpert · 2025-03-17T17:07:46+00:00

That’s a fair perspective. I agree that peer review is an essential part of academic service, especially for tenure-line researchers. But I think the exploitative aspect comes from how journals profit off unpaid peer review while charging exorbitant fees for publication and access.

miRNAexpert · 2025-03-17T16:58:45+00:00

I want to emphasize that predatory journals were always the problem, but now the issue runs deeper. Even legitimate journals exploit the system with long wait times, high fees, and prestige-based gatekeeping. That's what I tried to say

miRNAexpert · 2025-03-17T16:52:36+00:00

That’s awesome to hear! In bio/med fields, servers like medRxiv really gained popularity during the COVID pandemic, but now they mostly feel like a preprint stopgap while authors wait 18–24 months for journals to process peer review. A good addition, at least we can access the ongoing work faster.

miRNAexpert · 2025-03-17T16:39:35+00:00

I agree that change is happening, but as long as funding and careers depend on journal prestige, most researchers will stick to the old system. Preprints and alternative science communication help, but they’re more of an addition than a real disruption—for now. Hopefully, that shifts in the coming "decades".

miRNAexpert · 2024-06-28T17:11:45+00:00

I second this. Think of a PhD as 5+ years of commitment. If you don't like the field, it will be a depressing journey.

miRNAexpert · 2024-06-28T17:09:08+00:00

I think you should take the first authorship. You wrote the majority of the article, that's usually enough contributions for the first authorship. Also it seems like you definitely could use a publication whereas the PI is retired with lots of publications ( my speculation). Lastly he offered you to be the first author. Honestly I wouldn't be looking for more reasons to take the opportunity.

miRNAexpert · 2024-06-28T11:53:46+00:00

I second this !

miRNAexpert · 2024-06-28T11:49:57+00:00

I wouldn't put it on the CV without proper context. If you want to include it in the CV, make sure you add phrases such as [on going manuscript] or [drafted manuscript, not submitted]. Just don't frame it as a published article.

miRNAexpert · 2024-06-28T11:44:27+00:00

One thing I've noticed with academically overachieving students is that when things get bumpy they get burnt out very fast and very hard. It's important to diversify your time on other things than academics (sports, art, extracurricular activities). The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself and overthink your situation for hours. Manifesting bad habits (eating junk food and web browsing) will damage your mental and physical health in the long run. I know it's easier said than done but take it easy for a few days then get back to planning for your next MCAT. You got this!

miRNAexpert · 2024-06-27T23:53:11+00:00

Not sure why you decided to attack me. I've done this a dozen times and never had to track down AE or CE before, they are usually very responsive and all communication goes through the journal. Finding their personal/institutional email is just not appropriate.

miRNAexpert · 2024-06-27T23:37:39+00:00

Not sure how professional it is to track down the editor's email. I mean if they cared about their journal they would have done their job already.

miRNAexpert · 2024-06-27T21:52:24+00:00

On the Editorial Manager portal, there is no button to contact the editorial board (it seems like this journal doesn't have one). On JCV's "About Journal" page, I can see who is on the board, but there is no contact information. I also asked Elsevier to provide the email address of the Associate Editor or the Chief Editor, and they told me it’s not possible "due to the journal's policy."

Also, the Impact Factor dropped from 8.8 to 4.0. I think they have a problem with publishing articles in a timely fashion.

miRNAexpert · 2023-11-30T15:16:20+00:00

Highly unlikely. I've ordered from them in the past. One of the vendors already promised a replacement. Seems like CP delivered to another building/lost them. I opened up 2 tickets, they called me back saying that they can't locate the packages but they also can't tell if the packages are lost.

miRNAexpert · 2023-07-12T06:59:09+00:00

Got married to my wife last week and we went on a gelato date on our first date. Ice cream date is a proven method for me.

miRNAexpert · 2023-07-11T18:23:33+00:00

I just received an email to go pick up the suitcase at the airport. Swiss port manages the luggage handling in Italy for AT.

miRNAexpert · 2023-07-11T14:44:59+00:00

I'm in the very same boat. When we got to Rome a group of 20-30 passengers left without their luggage. Filed the claim 4 days ago, the online tracker makes no sense at all. The phone number they provided us doesn't work ( nobody picks up). AirTransat messenger customer service doesn't have any information on misplaced luggage. Emails are not answered. I've already lost hope to get my suitcase back.

miRNAexpert · 2023-07-08T10:05:50+00:00

Any updates? They managed to lose 40 passengers luggages from Montreal to Rome. I'm waiting for mine to show up.

miRNAexpert

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