Vol.2(8)

Why things have to happen at once? I received an sms from Prof. Pervushin this afternoon, saying that he has cleared the admin procedure for me and I can start to work tomorrow, as a research officer. I am so thankful and glad that I am finally hired. So, what are all these things about? A month ago, I was surprised to find out that he was inviting application for this position, after my application for the PhD scholarship in Prof. Volker Doetsch's lab in Frankfurt was turned down, and that I was disappointed and really started to look out for a proper job in Singapore. So I sent in my application.

But there was no reply at all. After one week, I sent in another email. As time went by, I was gradually breaking down emotionally. Until the tip of the trough, I "woke up" for a brief moment and sent an application to Dr. Jesuthasan in TLL, for the position of research assistant in a field other than NMR. Surprisingly, I was called for an interview that afternoon, as he was leaving for Europe that day. I thought I had impressed him, as I could answer the problem he posed. He told me to wait for two weeks, and I was expecting to get that job by two weeks. Of course, serotonin kicked in again!

But there was no reply at all, again. The emotional cycle haunted me again.

Miracle happened again at my toughest time. I was called for interview by Prof. Pervushin after a total of three weeks, and I went for it last Tuesday. To my surprise, he agreed to hire me on the spot with the condition of pursuing the postgrad study under his guidance in NTU a year later. And here I am, going into my first day of work tomorrow.

But...why things have to happen at once? This afternoon, after receiving the sms from Prof. Pervushin, I got another two important emails. Dr. Jesuthasan in TLL was happy to hire me for the one-year project; Prof. Doetsch had gotten me a scholarship from the University, which means I could be fulfilling my dream to study in Germany! So, I was in a dilemma, besides the indescribable excitement that has yet to fade, and hence the production of this foolish blog^^

After a few hours of thought and discussion with Jingxian, the PhD student cum my closest mentor in my previous lab, I have had a decision. To compare the two opportunities between Prof. Doetsch and Prof. Pervushin, working as a PhD candidate in Germany receives higher pay as well as being able to travel around Europe, while the future in NTU is uncertain as my application for a postgrad program there next year might fail. On the other hand, the project in Prof. Doetsch's group is more inclined to the application of NMR, which is closer to my ability; while Prof. Pervushin works intensively in the theoretical development of NMR methodology, which is very profound, difficult, and hence with immeasureable potential in the future. To be continued...