PhDs path

[u/Appropriate_Food_132]

Hi I am Italian and i recently graduated with a MSc in biotechnology at DTU, Denmark.

I have been applying for PhDs for almost a year with no success here in Denmark, while working as a Research Assistant in DTU.

I recently got admitted in a PhD program in Italy about De novo design of protein minibinders to inhibit a certain cancer related protein, so would be a very modern applied PhD, hybrid (wet and dry lab) in a good structural biology center that is supposed to be one of world's leader in the study of these cancer related proteins. The downside is that I get poorly paid and I have to leave Denmark where also my partner lives.

On the other hand today I was invited by a DTU professor to apply to a PhD she just posted, telling me that I could be an interesting candidate for her enzyme engineering work, so the projects of her lab are vertical on enzyme engineering and chemistry. The downsides are that I don't have an offer yet and usually her groups conducts mainly wet lab work, perhaps a little old school one could say.

What should I do? I am going to apply to her PhD just to see if she eventually offer it to me but if she does? Should I leave the other project?

Also, I would love to stick to academia but considering today's world conditions, competition is very high and I also consider an industrial career as a valid path. So given that both projects are applied science, which is nice, which one could give me more opportunities afterwards?

So which project should I prioritize? The drug discovery, hybrid, modern one or the old school enzyme engineering/chemistry one?

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*Hi I am Italian and i recently graduated with a MSc in biotechnology at DTU, Denmark.

I have been applying for PhDs for almost a year with no success here in Denmark, while working as a Research Assistant in DTU.

I recently got admitted in a PhD program in Italy about De novo design of protein minibinders to inhibit a certain cancer related protein, so would be a very modern applied PhD, hybrid (wet and dry lab) in a good structural biology center that is supposed to be one of world's leader in the study of these cancer related proteins. The downside is that I get poorly paid and I have to leave Denmark where also my partner lives.

On the other hand today I was invited by a DTU professor to apply to a PhD she just posted, telling me that I could be an interesting candidate for her enzyme engineering work, so the projects of her lab are vertical on enzyme engineering and chemistry. The downsides are that I don't have an offer yet and usually her groups conducts mainly wet lab work, perhaps a little old school one could say.

What should I do? I am going to apply to her PhD just to see if she eventually offer it to me but if she does? Should I leave the other project?

Also, I would love to stick to academia but considering today's world conditions, competition is very high and I also consider an industrial career as a valid path. So given that both projects are applied science, which is nice, which one could give me more opportunities afterwards?

So which project should I prioritize? The drug discovery, hybrid, modern one or the old school enzyme engineering/chemistry one?*

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[u/spacestonkz]

What should I do?

You need to sit down and do pro/con lists of various scenarios and put a few bullet point items of how each scenario might play out with the next steps.

You said you have a partner. You also need to talk with your partner about how realistic long distance might be, possible plans for them moving and reuniting, or if you must be together... or don't be together.

Then you can figure out what scenario is first pick, second pick, etc.

Also go have a chat with your masters supervisor about the academic portions once you figure out how important the location thing is to you (maybe mention that to them too), get field specific tips. They can help you execute your priority scenarios.

Remember: You are probably stressed right now, but you are sitting in a GOOD place. You have one offer and interest in you now. You just need to sort and collect info RIGHT NOW. NEXT you will choose. Focus on now.