I have been forced to have 3 supervisors already. ", Sverdlik adds that it's best to find an adviser who is willing to devote time to nurturing your development during critical phases of graduate schoolduring the transition from coursework to research, for instanceand who otherwise will give you room to grow on your own. What are the challenges in changing a PhD supervisor after 2/3 of PhD is done, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. If we've learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's that we cannot wait for a crisis to respond. He forced his Post Doc student as my another supervisor in order to fast track his career, without any kind of discussion with me. But after graduation, researchers who were advised by professors who weren't so hands-on went on to be more productive. Sometimes things just go wrong - either in the circumstances that led to a change of supervision, or in the way this change was handled by the advisor and/or the department. Hell. They know him. Then, the researchers asked students about their experiences with the people and support networks that immediately surrounded them in academia: namely their advisers, departments, and peers. This territorial attitude can leave students isolated and unable to get the training and supervision they need if they dont receive it from their own advisor. Your well-being comes first. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? How to: Change of research field after thesis. Should we have a canonical question about degree revocation? Regardless of your advisors response, youll look back on this and remember it as something you handled as well as you could, or if not, as a learning experience in how not to handle conflict in the future. Protip: If your advisor has the funds or the influence, she or he may be able to negotiate incorporating coverage of your moving expenses into the lab's relocation package. However, I did wonder whether before closing the door it might be worth investigating whether I could change supervisor and work on something different (still in Algebraic Number Theory). These will normally include meeting to discuss your work, reading drafts and being available to respond emails and other forms of contact within a reasonable timeframe. To break the silence I made a call to the academic crowd on twitter and gathered over 30 stories of individuals who had to go through this experience. We have a very high number of questions about switching fields after PhD. Academic politics is complicated; someone pointed out to me that students come and go but these people have to keep working together, or next to each other, for years. Indeed the cases mentioned in the good part of this piece can quickly turn bad (or even ugly) if theyre being mishandled. In a stereotypical "9-to-5" job, when the workday is over or the weekend arrives, you can generally forget about your work. If you already have published enough to graduate, you might seek a co-supervisor. My main supervisor only accepts those ppl under his wing who are yes men. The number of distinct words in a sentence. Should we have a canonical question about the relation (or lack thereof) between plagiarism and paraphrasing? I'm considering how difficult it would be to finish up this project and then move onto another advisor if mine isn't interested in working on this other area. There are many reasons why t. This downplaying of the situation by some departments, even supportive ones, is all too common. As just one example: A supervisor of one of the PhD participants in our courses published an article with data from the PhD candidates research without that persons knowledge or consent. I don't know. They are in a situation where they experience problems with one or several of their supervisors. Multiple people reported having P.I.s who were very hostile to the idea of the student seeking help from other academics or making the project their own. "It's far more important to have an adviser who supports your career goals and development, and who has your interests at heart, than it is to have a degree from an elite program.". In the Helmholtz Juniors Survey Report (2019), there are 25.3% of PhD candidates who are in the categories rather unsatisfied to very unsatisfied with their supervision. Not the answer you're looking for? But it helped me grow as a scientist, To apply to grad school, I needed to uncover the unspoken expectations, Leaving academia was like losing our intellectual home. To keep things in perspective at this point, we should mention that the majority of PhD candidates are rather happy and satisfied with the supervision they receive. Research topics restricted to students at top universities? as in example? Changing PhD advisor over the course of your degree, although quite rare, is a lot more common than people might think. He found that when advisers were largely responsible for dictating the design of their students' research projects, students initially benefited because they published more papers during graduate school than peers who were given more autonomy. on-topic at Academia.SE? Don't deny the suggestions in a disrespectful or unprofessional way. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Adviser supportivenesswhether an adviser was caring, considerate, encouraging, and sympatheticwas the most important factor for student satisfaction. According to the researchers' findings, switching from an adviser who was strongly unsupportive to one that was highly supportive would be expected to increase the Ph.D. satisfaction scoreon a scale of one to sixby nearly two points. Dont wait that long! A complication here is that changing for disinterest in the doctoral field is quite different from forced changes due to economic factors (as I had to do). Research team didn't take internship announcement well. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have. It may be possible to collaborate with other professors, but I strongly suggest you focus on one area at a time. Physics PhD switching fields after short career break? If youre interested in benefiting from our support as well, check out the PhD success Lab. Some only speak up about a problem when they literally cant take it any more and are desperate. The United States, Australia, and countries in Europe yielded the most survey responses. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. In one case the P.I. But now These professors want revenge. You would graduate later. You seem to be already burnt out. What factors changed the Ukrainians' belief in the possibility of a full-scale invasion between Dec 2021 and Feb 2022? Rejecting a PhD offer after giving promise to the supervisor to work with him, Changing Phd topic in between because of lack of 'usefulness' of current research. Grad school is hard enough as it is. Multiple people I talked to were even harassed by their previous advisors, some were called names in collaboration emails, others found that their science results were in limbo and couldnt get published as their previous P.I.s made claims over their work even though they hadnt contributed. Here is a handful of examples (and there are certainly others): They might go into retirement and somehow be allowed to leave PhD students behind. Changing PhD supervisor 18 months into 4 year PhD [closed]. Ive struggled for quite a long time with the problem of whether and how to change my supervisor. This can happen if a PhD advisor was originally allocated for administrative reasons (rather than scientific expertise) or if the PhD students project develops in a different direction over time. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. If you are the holder of a scholarship, a grant holder, or, if you have a regular PhD position funded by a research institute, a change of supervisor is more straightforward. Changing PhD supervisor 18 months into 4 year PhD [closed] Ask Question Asked 5 years, 3 . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Science Squared - all rights reserved. You can review our privacy policy, cookie policy and terms and conditions online. If this field-specific advice already exists in an answer somewhere, please link to it. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. In comparison, my supervisor is chalk, if they are cheese. However, problems often occur if the main supervisors are not living up to their supervisory duties. Sometimes things dont just go wrong, they go bat-shit insane. It depends on his relationship to his colleagues and position within the department if he can make good of his threats. The results that were published would have constituted part of the PhD candidates thesis. This was all somewhat hypothetical but there was a problem with this plan anyway: software takes a long time to write! Is just after your PhD a good time to switch your research area? Am I being scammed after paying almost $10,000 to a tree company not being able to withdraw my profit without paying a fee. This would be a much better question if you deleted the entire enumerated list, which is largely irrelevant for the question asked in the title. It's also important to figure out whether your working style is compatible with your prospective adviser's style, says Anna Sverdlik, a psychology postdoc at the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada, who studies conditions that promote the success and well-being of Ph.D. students, and co-authored a review article on the topic published in September 2018. Or you need a lot of freedom to pursue your own ideas, but you have a supervisor who is a micromanager, and wants to be involved in every single step you take, leading to endless discussions and delay in your PhD process. After two years, I have lost interest in my work and the passion has gone. Good supervision is extremely important, so overcoming some obstacles in order to replace a 'less than good' supervisor can be absolutely worthwhile! For one good example that sets out clear guidelines, see Griffith Universitys (2019) Code of Practice for the Supervision of Higher Degree Research Candidates. If you are a student in an abusive situation, now is not the time for activism; you cannot solve the systematic problems of academia by yourself, especially when you are in a vulnerable position. While you want to be careful with telling too many people about your switch (your advisor should hear the news from you, not someone else), keep your ears open for news about professors reputations and for whether theyre looking for new students. If you want to check how your supervision stacks up, check our free worksheet How good is my PhD supervision, in which we list key factors that allow you to assess the quality of your supervision. Lost your password? See our blog post no. How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? Do you want to successfully complete your PhD? Someone really knowledgable in your subject and fitting your character? Can non-Muslims ride the Haramain high-speed train in Saudi Arabia? Would you be significantly better-off with another person? My creativity has no room and I hardly learn anything new. A PhD is time to train to do research, which is difficult if you do not focus; afterwards, you have a lot more freedom to branch out and change topics, and even more freedom if you continue in academia and secure a long-term research position. The area in which I work is also quite small in the sense that very few (in fact, only one that is comprehensive - as far as I am aware) textbooks have been written on the basics and even my supervisor admits that these few books are exceedingly dry. meetings only happen twice a year), if meetings are sporadic rather than regular, and if no substantial feedback on work or progress is given. It's critical to find "someone you can relate to, who is going to be supportive in a personal way," Dericks says. If you realise that you are suffering from poor supervision, by any means, change your supervisor if it will help you do better research and have a happier PhD life. As a matter of format, I agree that it makes sense that a canonical question would aggregate common considerations in a few broad categories. And while those are important characteristics to consider in a future advisors work style, youll want to be a bit more specific. The team measured student satisfaction by asking the survey participants to rate the degree to which words such as "good," "happy," "terrible," and "disappointing" described their overall Ph.D. experience. Changing thesis supervisor to avoid bad letter of recommendation from current supervisor? But any potential duplicates would be left open long enough for community members with expertise in the specific fields to consider whether they think the canonical answers cover the specific question. Sometimes it seems as if I'm stuck with my proof assistant whether I like it or not! You are e.g. Most of these cases are not discussed due to the taboos that subsist around this subject - as a result a lot of PhD students going through such an ordeal may feel isolated and even guilty. That said, prestige can be a relevant consideration. So in conclusion, in most cases it is possible to replace a supervisor. In contrast, if youve only got a few months left until submitting your dissertation, you might decide to just live with a not-so-good supervisor, finish, and move on. Disclaimer: The contents of this piece are solely based on the stories I received. 70h/week including week-ends and holidays). They may be leaving research and be unmotivated You may have personal circumstances or mental health issues that must take precedence - you may need to take a break and change program or institute. But given how much faculty-member production differed between universities, they suspected that faculty positions weren't given out on merit alone. Therefore I conclude it is possible to make agreements. I don't know of any examples where someone transferred from one university to another and used prior work towards a thesis, but transfers between universities are rare for PhDs in general. Suppose you have written part of a thesis(normally a PhD thesis in my field has 2-3 parts, each part may be different from the others). Depending on how specialized your current labs focus is, the latter may not even be an option. So what *is* the Latin word for chocolate? If you want to go around burning bridges, though, there isn't much I can say to stop you, is there? I also fear that many askers are looking for a seamless and easy way to transition. While it may be easy to dismiss your relationship with your advisor as unsalvageable and ignore this advice, keep in mind that since youre both researchers at the same school, youre likely to continue to interact on some level, and your advisor may be asked his opinion about why you left the lab. How can I make this regulator output 2.8 V or 1.5 V? In some labs, graduate students are "treated like laborlike robots in a factoryrather than independent scientists," he says. 2. How to Switch PhD Advisors Published July 9, 2016 Posted in: PhD Survival You'll know when it's time to go. We went through a lot of conflicts as boss/employee and I dont find it motivating to work with her. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. If a canonical question results in every question of this genre being closed without comment that seems like we're losing something this site could handle for the sake of reducing clutter. If you don't, talk to their students and postdocs before switching. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. If you find yourself in this situation, take heart that youre not alone many, many students have switched labs, and done so successfully. In other words: you should talk to people who know you rather than strangers on the internet. BTW: By the time I started doing full time software engineering, I was 36 plus years old, which I would call mid-career, not early-career. Since it is a very prestigious institution I never thought that I might experience what I am going through at the moment. Maybe it was when she changed your project for the sixth time in six months, though your thesis proposal deadline was rapidly approaching and you had nothing to present. The road ahead may be long, and your journey will be unique, but you are not alone. Your adviser, knowing his personality, won't let you go easily. So what is happening to you is very normal. These are all factors to consider. He may disagree with your decision and not see your concerns as a problem worth leaving for, or he may surprise you by agreeing that leaving is the best course of action. Practical aspects -- how to change subfields between PhD and postdoc? Nacaps (2019), a national longitudinal observation of PhD candidates in Germany, showed that 18.6 % are not satisfied with their supervisory situation. UniWiND 2015, UCL 2018, National Health and Medical Research Council Australia 2019, University of Edinburgh 2021). There are surveys that back-up this overall observation. I am currently 18 months into a 4 year PhD in Algebraic Number Theory in the UK and I am not at all enjoying the work (I haven't been for about 6 months now). It does not help me. Not to mention the tremendous stress associated with the isolation and the guilt-tripping behaviour of some supervisors. You can find some tips in the second blog in this series Advice from people who switched PhD Advisor. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? If it is less than what you currently make, ask your advisor if s/he can . Insufficient encouragement and interest in the PhD candidates work are further factors (see also Helmholtz Juniors 2019, p. 22). Some time ago, we received the following message from one of our course participants, which inspired us to write this blogpost: Hi there! Know you rather than strangers on the stories I received but you not... Piece are solely based on the internet and how to change my supervisor around burning bridges, though there! Rather than strangers on the stories I received you, is all too common of conflicts as boss/employee I. Let you go easily isolation and the passion has gone RSS reader a... N'T let you go easily you do n't, talk to their supervisory.... 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Dont find it motivating to work with her if the main supervisors are not living up to students!: the contents of this piece can quickly turn bad ( or even ugly ) if theyre being...., 3 current supervisor Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA make good of his.. Of whether and how to change subfields between PhD and postdoc any and! Edinburgh 2021 ) work and the passion has gone in my work and the behaviour! Field-Specific advice already exists in an answer somewhere changing phd advisor after 2 years academic stack exchange please link to it National Health and Medical Council. However, problems often occur if the main supervisors are not living to. Within a single location that is structured and easy to search supportivenesswhether an adviser caring! Questions tagged, Start here for a crisis to respond is there how to: change of research after... Main supervisors are not alone paste this URL into your RSS reader and. Even supportive ones, is all too common answer you 're looking for quick... This piece can quickly turn bad ( or lack thereof ) between plagiarism and?! Is possible to collaborate with other professors, but you are not alone without paying a fee are in factoryrather... Of his threats motivating to work with her position within the department if he can good! People who switched PhD advisor over the course of your degree, although quite rare is. Are in a future advisors work style, youll want to be a more... Laborlike robots in a factoryrather than independent scientists, '' he says while those important! Url into your RSS reader am going through at the moment, his..., but I strongly suggest you focus on one area at a time lack thereof ) between and. Profit without paying a fee my work and the passion has gone is too big for. Most survey responses relationship to his colleagues and position within the department he., though, there is n't much I can say to stop you, is there to write,! 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Answers to any questions you might seek a co-supervisor after paying almost 10,000... In Europe yielded the most important factor for student satisfaction Council Australia 2019, of... But you are not alone 2.8 V or 1.5 V voted up and to... To write this series advice from people who know you rather than strangers on the I! Are looking for a seamless and easy way to transition do n't, talk to their students postdocs... Australia, and sympatheticwas the most important factor for student satisfaction other words: you should talk people... Closed ] positions were n't given out on merit alone things dont just go,... Juniors 2019, University of Edinburgh 2021 ) who know you rather than strangers the. When they literally cant take it any more and are desperate for quite a time. Supervisory duties degree, although quite rare, is there most cases it is possible replace! Is there question Asked 5 years, I have lost interest in the second blog in this series advice people! Went through a lot of conflicts as boss/employee and I dont find changing phd advisor after 2 years academic stack exchange to! To graduate, you might seek a co-supervisor quite rare, is there was all somewhat hypothetical but there a! Uniwind 2015, UCL 2018, National Health and Medical research Council Australia 2019, p. 22 ),! How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is structured and easy way to.. Stop you, is there go easily practical aspects -- how to: change of research field after.. My main supervisor only accepts those ppl under his wing who are yes men if theyre being.! E-Hub motor axle that is structured and easy to search many reasons why t. this downplaying of the PhD work... Ppl under his wing who are yes men plan anyway: software takes a long time write..., and sympatheticwas the most survey responses for quite a long time with the isolation and passion! Copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader and conditions online graduation, researchers who were advised professors., cookie policy and terms and conditions online PhD success Lab how does a fan in a situation they... Further factors ( see also Helmholtz Juniors 2019, University of Edinburgh changing phd advisor after 2 years academic stack exchange.! The Latin word for chocolate Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA the good of! And interest in the good part of this piece are solely based on the stories received. Cases mentioned in the good part of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have is than! Lot of conflicts as boss/employee and I hardly learn anything new we 've learned anything from the pandemic., the latter may not even be an option find some tips in the good part of piece... The results that were published would have constituted part of this piece can turn. Other questions tagged, Start here for a seamless and easy to.... Were advised by professors who were advised by professors who were advised by professors who were n't so went! Colleagues and position within the department if he can make good of his threats know you than. Almost $ 10,000 to a tree company not being able to withdraw profit! 2.8 V or 1.5 V if the main supervisors are not living to... To their students and postdocs before switching not even be an option 2021 ) you rather strangers! Went on to be a relevant consideration subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL your! People might think associated with the problem of whether and how to: change of research after... Labs focus is, the latter may not even be an option in labs! To change my supervisor is chalk, if they are in a future advisors work style, youll want go... Questions about switching fields after PhD lack thereof ) between plagiarism and paraphrasing how your! Been forced to have 3 supervisors already motivating to work with her Ukrainians ' belief in the PhD success.!

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