PostDoc Discussion Forum

Hi,

I’m currently doing my PhD at a university in the north of England, studying in the Pharmacy School. I’m now in the final months of my third year, and I’m feeling increasingly anxious as I approach the start of my fourth year in January 2025.

It seems there’s a university policy that requires the wet lab work to be completed within three years. To add to this pressure, my primary supervisor has recently become quite emotionally volatile and is constantly pushing me for results every time we meet. Unfortunately, the results I have so far are not meeting expectations.

Recently, my supervisor has asked me to perform cytotoxicity testing using plant compounds I have isolated, which means I need to start learning cell culture from scratch. I’m worried – is it even possible to learn and complete this in time? I have no prior experience in cell culture, and I’m unsure what to do if I can’t manage it within the timeframe.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice on how to approach this?

Thank you.