4 ms·

I just finished my PhD. My first half was with a supervisor similar to what OP described. Fortunately I was able to transfer halfway through to a much better s

I just finished my PhD. My first half was with a supervisor similar to what OP described. Fortunately I was able to transfer halfway through to a much better supervisor. I have seen both sides, having a good supervisor makes a massive difference. Even so, now that I am finished, the emotional drain of the first two years and lack of time to properly recover has left me completely BURNT OUT. OP, please take the advice of musicale, it is EXACTLY RIGHT. I am a little dissapointed to find many comments here putting the responsibility on the (prospective) PhD student. I'm sure this is the case sometimes. In my case I was absolutely happy doing independent research at all times in my life apart from with this horrendous supervisor who, at all turns, made it difficult to do good science.

throwaway_shame 7y ago
I am glad that you were able to get a better supervisor. Did you face any kind of retaliation from your first supervisor?
- montalbano 7y ago
  Not in my case due to details I can't go into. But in general direct or indirect retaliation is a risk and is why it is so important for you to do something ASAP. I don't know all the details of your situation but based on what you said in OP it might be advisable to switch. The sooner you do the less time you might 'waste' in an unfruitful project and the less time and money the supervisor has invested in you, so they might be less likely to retaliate. Further, it also might be considered 'professionally embarrassing' for the supervisor if you ask to switch during the PhD. At the stage you are now you could probably change in a way that saves you hassle and the supervisors face by diplomatically posing the change as a mere change in 'academic interests', i.e. slightly different project with a favourable supervisor. Of course you should suss out the possible alternative supervisors first and try and meet them and their students to make sure they are actually favourable to your current prof. These are just the first points that come to mind, happy to answer other questions if you would like (see my gmail in profile).
  - throwaway_shame 7y ago
    Very valuable advice. Thank you!

throwaway_shame 7y ago

I am glad that you were able to get a better supervisor. Did you face any kind of retaliation from your first supervisor?

montalbano 7y ago
Not in my case due to details I can't go into. But in general direct or indirect retaliation is a risk and is why it is so important for you to do something ASAP. I don't know all the details of your situation but based on what you said in OP it might be advisable to switch. The sooner you do the less time you might 'waste' in an unfruitful project and the less time and money the supervisor has invested in you, so they might be less likely to retaliate. Further, it also might be considered 'professionally embarrassing' for the supervisor if you ask to switch during the PhD. At the stage you are now you could probably change in a way that saves you hassle and the supervisors face by diplomatically posing the change as a mere change in 'academic interests', i.e. slightly different project with a favourable supervisor. Of course you should suss out the possible alternative supervisors first and try and meet them and their students to make sure they are actually favourable to your current prof. These are just the first points that come to mind, happy to answer other questions if you would like (see my gmail in profile).
- throwaway_shame 7y ago
  Very valuable advice. Thank you!