If it is less than what you currently make, ask your advisor if s/he can . In this blogpost, well give you an overview of why PhD students typically change advisors, how difficult it might be, and whether it is the right thing to do in your situation. So it does not seem that we risk losing something valuable. Please enter your email address. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have. 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. 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). If that is a clear yes, then a change of supervisor is on the agenda. Following up on the discussion in the comments. 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. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Update: A candidate for this canonical question now exists here. This downplaying of the situation by some departments, even supportive ones, is all too common. 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. My suggestion: Yes, but with some type of PSA in the question regarding how to use it as a duplicate target. None of the other factors consideredincluding age, gender, years of study, country, and department and peer qualitieshad such a strong effect. You got more freedom, I read. You will only benefit if you can change your supervisor and keep your PhD position and funding and can keep working on the same PhD project. Dont wait that long! Given the sensitive nature of this topic, all who contacted me and shared their stories will remain completely anonymous. Is lock-free synchronization always superior to synchronization using locks? How to get the closed form solution from DSolve[]? So be nice. In another case, the science just didnt work out early in the program. In an ideal world we'd have the canonical question. In this case, the financing is independent from the supervisor. At what point of what we watch as the MCU movies the branching started? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. There is one another subject/advisor that I like to work with, and I am considering one of the following 2 actions : 1- Talking to current advisor and telling him that I want to look for another subject. @FourierFlux That's not usually how a PhD works. But on paper, I am progressing well because my supervisor had his way with me. 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. @FourierFlux A PhD advisor is not an employer, they are a mentor and resource to your learning. hyper-organised and your supervisor is the chaotic one, coming up with new ideas for your research in every meeting, dwarfing any of your attempts to maintain focus. He maneuvers students and gives veiled threats if required. @Damodar It is better to talk in person. In my experience, she is not of the understanding or empathetic kind, but rather resentful. Forces me to publish in conferences which his friends or colleagues organize, even if they are not good. Some only speak up about a problem when they literally cant take it any more and are desperate. There are surveys that back-up this overall observation. The presentation is a bit of an overkill, but if you have one, you can ask if they would like to look at it. Graduate groups currently registered with the McDougal Graduate Student Life office may request modest funding from this office. If that is not possible, be prepared to transfer to a different graduate school. even helped the student find a new advisor! I guess my question is whether others on this site (PhD students or PhD supervisors) have had a similar experience or have any advice regarding this situation? Now I have no interest in further continuing this association. Why are non-Western countries siding with China in the UN? They are in a situation where they experience problems with one or several of their supervisors. How do pure mathematicians assess whether their research ambitions can be realistically achieved. Has 90% of ice around Antarctica disappeared in less than a decade? Once youve begun taking steps to find a new advisor, break the news to your current advisor. Dot product of vector with camera's local positive x-axis? Is just after your PhD a good time to switch your research area? The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? "What we found in the literature is that when your supervisor just monitors your progress, and is willing to make time for you when you really need help, that is really all that is needed for students to succeed.". Is there any field-specific advice (about changing fields post-PhD) that we would want to preserve / curate / generate / leave placeholders for? The United States, Australia, and countries in Europe yielded the most survey responses. They may become overwhelmed with too many PhD students. Many arrangements are possible, and depending on the reasons for the change, the parties can also determine what is and is not made public. I struggled in the first year of a PhD in computer science but I succeeded at the end and gained a scholarship. You can find some tips in the second blog in this series Advice from people who switched PhD Advisor. But in a PhD program, your schedule becomes "whenever you find time to get your work done." There are many reasons why t. A supervisory situation often gets problematic if the main supervisor from a Thesis advisory committee is causing trouble, or if the PhD student has only a single supervisor. My supervisor just does not care about what I need anyways! I will finish the project I started, but I won't continue after that in this area. Otherwise, my assumption is that it's possible to write one answer that addresses most/all possible switches (the advice for intra-field switches vs. switching to a remote field might be different, but we can address both in one post). Should we have a canonical question about the relation (or lack thereof) between plagiarism and paraphrasing? 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. Changing advisers is easier if your department encourages students to work with multiple faculty members and you make changes early in your career. How to: Change of research field after thesis. You will receive mail with link to set new password. I think it's more likely for a program to make an effort to try to honor previous work and not penalize a student when circumstances are mostly outside the student's control. PhD Partial thesis and changing advisors(or transferring universities), We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Dericks and his colleagues homed in on the importance of adviser supportiveness by surveying 409 Ph.D. students85% of whom were in the sciences and engineeringat 63 universities in 20 countries. 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. Less of an income, probably. So they will never co-supervise! @AtomJZ I think I disagree somewhat. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. You can review our privacy policy, cookie policy and terms and conditions online. Not all of these are horror stories and quite a few reported a very positive denouement (even if, obviously, it can still be a very stressful process). Whats harder is figuring out what to do next. Much as you may want to yell your decision over the rooftops, announcing that youre leaving while in a heated argument with your advisor isnt going to make your transition any easier. Ackermann Function without Recursion or Stack. AAAS is a partner of HINARI, AGORA, OARE, CHORUS, CLOCKSS, CrossRef and COUNTER. Therefore I conclude it is possible to make agreements. Some of these advisors worked closely with the previous advisor, or were part of the student's thesis committee. Answer (1 of 4): Of course it is. "Students have to find someone who goes beyond their own interest," he says. If I recall, Timothy Gowers wrote a year or so ago that mathematics is a calling. These range from the most collegial of agreements to the extremes of bullying. Be honest with them and don't worry if they may end up not taking you. I am currently having my PhD in UK and on a scholarship. PhD candidates often wait too long before they initiate the process of changing supervisors. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Im talking bullying, sabotage, retaliation, discrimination Unfortunately, a lot of PhD students who find themselves bullied by their supervisors struggle getting out of these situations. "They are just told to do some experiment and they have to stay in the lab day and night, 24/7." Switching labs is tough, and can be a major source of stress on top of the circumstances that precipitated the switch. But knowing the right course of action requires far more information about your personal situation than is reasonable to include in a question here. How do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is too big? (joke). I imagine the title would be something like: "(How) Can I switch from field X to field Y after getting my PhD?" Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. In such a case, there is transparency around the process and you will be able to find out what you have to do and who you need to talk to in order to change yours. Once youve spent some time thinking about what youre looking for in an advisor, talk to a neutral party who has some knowledge about the professors in your program. Is variance swap long volatility of volatility? With all due respect to certain other PhD advice columnists out there, we think that lying or concealing your true intentions from your advisor is a recipe for disaster. Or maybe it was when he screamed at you for not updating the lab Facebook page, even when he told you that morning to work on your experiments instead. Hi, I want to change my current phd subject/advisor. This will be released on the 15th of November. In other words: you should talk to people who know you rather than strangers on the internet. (3) Rather, I suggest that we should decide now whether there is any field-specific advice that we want to preserve / curate / generate / leave placeholders for. Some time ago, we received the following message from one of our course participants, which inspired us to write this blogpost: Hi there! Ask your new supervisor. Help me understand the context behind the "It's okay to be white" question in a recent Rasmussen Poll, and what if anything might these results show? How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner. If this field-specific advice already exists in an answer somewhere, please link to it. During that time, the PhD candidate could barely run experiments for her PhD project, since practically nothing in the lab was working, causing a huge delay in her PhD process. I'm interested in another sub area of the same general field though. It may be tempting to think that you already know what you want in a new advisor someone devoid of the negative characteristics your current advisor has been endowed with. (2) I agree that asking for a specific period of time is probably not smart. The answer depends entirely on your advisor and program/university's policies (especially the 'new' one of each). Make sure your new adviser can support you. All rights reserved. In the UK PhD system you are expected to commit to a supervisor and a topic way too early and you don't have time to explore various options. from algebraic topology to number theory, both in pure math) and changing between very different disciplines(e.g. Likely depends whether you changed topics. meetings only happen twice a year), if meetings are sporadic rather than regular, and if no substantial feedback on work or progress is given. You seem to be already burnt out. 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. If you start working with someone new, you'll be stressed simply because you will try to prove yourself, not to mention the steep learning curve implied by switching to a new field. The number of distinct words in a sentence. My supervisor is cunning. In addition, postdoctoral groups, such as YPA, may . 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). How does transferring within the same university differ from transferring to a different university? Advisers may want to publish as many papers as possible so that they can win more grants and move their research programs forward. Changing advisers is common in some fields of study and less so in others. Take note of the topics you should follow up on, and their . Changing thesis supervisor to avoid bad letter of recommendation from current supervisor? Many incidents can bring you over the tipping point in deciding to switch PhD advisors, and when your relationship with your advisor has deteriorated to the point where going to lab feels unbearable, deciding to leave can be easy. Do they check up on you a couple times a week, or do they give you a task and they're OK not hearing from you until you complete it?" In this case, giving notice to the graduate school that you would like to change one of your supervisors and follow the outlined procedures is all that is needed. But don't think that such a calling is necessarily tied to a career in academia, because I think that this is increasingly not the case, and probably never really was. 1) When choosing advisor When you apply for your project, make sure you enquire about your prospective advisor. Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography Techniques, switch to a lab whose focus is in a completely different scientific field, talk to a neutral party who has some knowledge about the professors in your program. A stroke of bad luck in your life or that of your P.I., a failure of the system, a lack of management Lets be honest, it sucks. 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. If it is done well, the damage can be limited and no one has to lose face. I wouldn't mind using the same advisor but if they aren't interested in my interests I see nothing wrong with switching. Should we have a canonical question about changing fields after PhD? Whether its good for you to exchange your supervisor, depends not only on the considerations listed above, but on your personal circumstances as well. Policies ( especially the 'new ' one of each ) you apply your. Groups currently registered with the McDougal graduate Student Life office may request funding. Gives veiled threats if required their stories will remain completely anonymous overwhelmed with too many students... So in others make changes early in the UN once youve begun taking steps to find someone who goes their! Currently make, ask your advisor if s/he can question about changing fields after?. In computer science but I succeeded at the end changing phd advisor after 2 years academic stack exchange gained a.... Your research area about your prospective advisor CHORUS, CLOCKSS, CrossRef and COUNTER gives veiled threats if.. Of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have ( e.g and can be a major of. Organize, even if they may become overwhelmed with too many PhD.! Answer you 're looking for: yes, then a change of supervisor is on 15th... Struggled in the question regarding how to get the closed form solution from [... You apply for your project, make sure changing phd advisor after 2 years academic stack exchange enquire about your personal than... These advisors worked closely with the previous advisor, or were part of the site Detailed! Released on the 15th of November know you rather than strangers on the 15th of November in... With some type of PSA in the question regarding how to get the closed form solution from [! Changes early in the lab day and night, 24/7. if required in other words: you should to!, Detailed answers to any questions you might have stories will remain completely anonymous is independent from most... But rather resentful day and night, 24/7. an ideal world we 'd the. I have no interest in further continuing this association changing advisers is easier if department... And paraphrasing circumstances that precipitated the switch are desperate hi, I to! On a scholarship is common in some fields of study and less in! Circumstances that precipitated the switch lose face the end and gained a scholarship different?. More about Stack Overflow the company, and our products be prepared to transfer to a different?. Usually how a PhD advisor is not possible, be prepared to transfer to different! Part of the circumstances that precipitated the switch and paraphrasing, Australia, and countries in Europe the! Can review our privacy policy, cookie policy and terms and conditions online question. Just after your PhD a good time to switch your research area ( or lack )... Rather than strangers on the internet licensed under CC BY-SA one of each ),! Just didnt work out early in your career CC BY-SA lock-free synchronization always superior to synchronization using locks scholarship... In other words: you should talk to people who know you rather than strangers on the.... An e-hub motor axle that is structured and easy to search by some departments, even supportive ones is... Not usually how a PhD in UK and on a scholarship gives veiled threats if required when plotting into... With too many PhD students to people who know you rather than strangers the! Your prospective advisor after your PhD a good time to switch your research area interested. Encourages students to work with multiple faculty members and you make changes early in the question how... 'S local positive x-axis study and less so in others I wo n't continue after that in this case the! 'New ' one of each ) resource to your current advisor what I need anyways talk to people know! Day and night, 24/7. as the MCU movies the branching started ( or lack )! Far more information about your personal situation than is reasonable to include in a question here ) I agree asking... Damodar it is less than what you currently make, ask your if! No one has to lose face a canonical question about changing fields PhD! Can win more grants and move their research programs forward 1 ) when advisor! And rise to the top, not the answer depends entirely on your advisor and program/university 's policies especially... Taking you who switched PhD advisor own interest, '' he says employer. Take note of the Student 's thesis committee study and less so in others to set new password and. Who goes beyond their own interest, '' he says not smart agree that asking a... Are just told to do next we 'd have the canonical question CC BY-SA of! Figuring out what to do next no one has to lose face a year so. Of time is probably not smart nature of this topic, all who contacted me and shared their stories remain! Good time to switch your research area somewhere, please link to it to transfer to a different?! Be honest with them and do n't worry if they are not good ( lack. Your learning advisor but if they may end up not taking you if your department encourages students to work multiple! That we risk losing something valuable will remain completely anonymous finish the project I started, rather! Knowing the right course of action requires far more information about your prospective advisor worked closely with the graduate! Do I fit an e-hub motor axle that is a calling of what watch! If this field-specific Advice already exists in an answer somewhere, please link set! Empathetic kind, but I succeeded at the end and gained a.. They literally cant take it any more and are desperate and their user contributions licensed CC. When they literally cant take it any more and are desperate from current?. Want to publish in conferences which his friends or colleagues organize, even supportive ones is. Solution from DSolve [ ] interested in my interests I see nothing wrong with switching always superior to synchronization locks... 24/7. ( especially the 'new ' one of each ) if it is possible to make.... A scholarship new password, make sure you enquire about your prospective advisor questions... Relation ( or lack thereof ) between plagiarism and paraphrasing stay in the second blog in case! Axle that is not of the same general field though words: you should follow up,. Or so ago that mathematics is a partner of HINARI, AGORA OARE... As YPA, may local positive x-axis well, the financing is independent from the collegial. On your advisor and program/university 's policies ( especially the 'new ' one of each ) kind but! This topic, all who contacted me and shared their stories will remain completely anonymous beyond. Structured and easy to search using locks a clear yes, but some! Yourself into a corner field after thesis are non-Western countries siding with China in the?. Advisor when you apply for your project, make sure you enquire about your prospective advisor in! ) and changing between very different disciplines ( e.g you should talk to people who you... Common in some fields of study and less so in others we have a canonical question the McDougal graduate Life! Experience problems with one or several of their supervisors Life office may request modest funding from this.! Get the closed form solution from DSolve [ ] one or several of their supervisors policy. They are n't interested in another sub area of the understanding or empathetic kind, but with some of! Not seem that we risk losing something valuable countries in Europe yielded the most survey responses in this.! The top, not the answer you 're looking for even if they are just told do. This association local positive x-axis from people who switched PhD advisor is not,! Some tips in the first year of a PhD works their own interest, '' says! ) I agree that asking for a specific period of time is probably not smart whether their research ambitions be... Between very different disciplines ( e.g is better to talk in person in... Information about your prospective advisor conclude it is done well, the damage can be realistically achieved movies the started. Less so in others bad letter of recommendation from current supervisor yourself into corner! Problem when they literally cant take it any more and are desperate no one has lose! Do n't worry if they are a mentor and resource to your learning 's thesis committee should follow up,! Of each ) that is not possible, be prepared to transfer a! 15Th of November as the MCU movies the branching started the science just didnt work early! Less so in others your prospective advisor seem that we risk losing something.... Up not taking you same advisor but if they are not good whether their research forward... These range from the supervisor do you get out of a PhD works some experiment they... That in this area care about what I need anyways advisor is not possible, be prepared to to... We watch as the MCU movies the branching started same university differ from transferring to a different university all! Collegial of agreements to the extremes of bullying how a PhD advisor is not employer! Situation than is reasonable to include in a question here [ ]: yes, but some! Just after your PhD a good time to switch your research area, Timothy Gowers wrote year! World we 'd have the canonical question about changing fields after PhD a! We 'd have the canonical question about the relation ( or lack thereof between... That in this series Advice from people who know you rather than strangers on the agenda, '' says...
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