> the utter lack of "genuine" teamwork I've also seen this, and it is explained by the essay I mentioned. You _do_ get genuine teamwork in academia in the UK

> the utter lack of "genuine" teamwork I've also seen this, and it is explained by the essay I mentioned. You _do_ get genuine teamwork in academia in the UK, essentially I've had to identify like-minded people who are principally here to do great work rather than further their own career. I've found lots of people like that, and have collaborated with them and found it a very pleasant experience. I've also experience people as you describe, and I generally just stay away from them as much as possible. Life's too short to associate with people like that, leave them to their agenda and get on with doing research.