this post was submitted on 14 Jun 2026
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[–] budget_biochemist@slrpnk.net 4 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) (1 children)

PhD students are already years past being "apprentices". You have to already done at least 4 years of study (3 year undergraduate + honours year at minimum) to start a PhD, and most will have done 5 or more (undergraduate + 2 year research masters)

[–] dgriffith@aussie.zone 0 points 1 hour ago

I can't help it if it is a long and arduous path to the career that they have chosen. But the fact is, they're still in the education system and learning/ gaining experience at this point, just like apprentices.

I don't disagree that the pay is shit and that it could go up a bit if it is actively discouraging people to do their PhD. Being used as cheap labour is a problem for both apprentices and PhD students alike, it seems.