It wouldn't rest well with me, to be honest. I know I'd raise an eyebrow if someone told me their boss had acted as one of their examiners. I know that's being slightly unfair as they could well be impartial but it's just perception. I wouldn't like being examined by anyone I knew anyway for fear of saying something stupid and having to face them again.

Do what rests well with you though.

You've plenty of time because you'll just have submitted and so your thesis should be fresh in your mind. I did mine about three or four weeks after submitting and think it's much better than having to wait. Good luck.

Thank you everyone. It's an academic concern but I've decided how to deal with it but thanks for the offers of support.

It's a very difficult situation which I don't want to discuss on the open forum but I could do with some advice. A PM from someone who posts on here a lot would be good.

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"(I can't get no) satisfaction" by any chance? If so, I can so relate to it (and you)!!! I feel your pain Wally but It'll all come good in the end...if not, we'll die...

marasp, after all you've been through you deserve a star and I've given you one! Keep the faith, you'll get there.

Hope everyone else gets what they want

2012 will be a great year, OUR year!

There's no holding you back! It's good to know you've settled in well in another country and the book sounds exciting. You took a risk and it seems to be paying off which is great.(up)

If you are anxious then start preparing as this will help you calm down. You can only do so much as the examiners will have their way of doing things.

I'm try to be sympathetic but seriously I'm laughing:$

I was so chilled right up until the day before and then I had a major panic that lasted the complete day and night (went into viva having been awake for more than 26 hours!!!). I was then OK on the day as regards nerves and even the hour before but come the second question I was gone, shattered, a wreck, in a bad way and never really recovered during the viva but you know how I clawed it back? By taking control of the situation, if even only for the shortest of time, I was able to demonstrate that I had done the work, I provided examples of how the work was original, how it made a contribution to knowledge etc. I took control for the shortest of time but in that time I made it clear that the work was of PhD standard and provided evidence of why I believed it to be and the evidence I produced was hard to argue against. Just my experience and I'm glad I don't have to go through it again!!!

You go girl, you can do and you just need to show them that you did it.

Thanks chrisrolinski. How did your move go and how is the new job? I hope it was all worth it.

To right Wally!

It's doubtful you'll have to pay anything back but check all the ducuments you signed on beginning just to make sure. You could also try asking your Universities Research Office and the funders themselves.

I hope my response has been of some help.

Thanks Dunni73. Exciting times for you ahead. All the very best for the job and new year.

You WILL NOT fail ...and even if you did unless there is something in the contract to indicate you must pass the viva I would think there shouldn't be a problem. Best of luck with the post doc(up)