I just finished my PhD recently in Drug discovery/medicinal chemistry/molecular microbiology from Strath Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Uni of Strath, UK. Im MPharm holder from Uni of Strath too.

Virtual screening of compound libraries and molecular modelling (ligand-based)

Why is that your nightmare? Labwork is worse

I do agree that med chem (chemical synthesis, purification and analysis) is taxing but modelling itself is less laborious. I think molecular biology (gene cloning, deletion, mutagenesis, controlled-expression) is the worst of the three because it's very unpredictable. Things can just stop working for no apparent reason (even if you did everything right). My two cents.

Well I'm doing my PhD in Germany right now.

The difference is greatly the working culture. You're treated almost like a peer/ individual where you are frequently asked for your opinion, thoughts etc. it is also very informal and you actually have lunch/tea with your supervisor quite often! I'm not sure bout other places, my place here has quite a nice support system i.e. office that helps with claims, applications etc not like when I did my masters where everthing you have to do yourself and have to keep kejar the office for weeks to process your application.

The down side is of course I miss the vibrant culture and food in Malaysia! My place is very international, so the proficiency of English varies and I temper my English down a bit. And of course I cannot throw in the manglish and lahs... so in a way i miss the more animated and crazy communication style we have.

And the German food here is greatly lacking in variety and quite bland in taste.. so unfortunately my mind is often preoccupeid with food

feel like taking phd but dunno which uni to go to