I must admit, if I was a supervisor I'd be delighted to have someone to share the load with. Was he fairly dismissive before or adamant that an additional supervisor wasn't needed? Maybe he just didn't want to help with the leg work of recruiting someone but you've now done that. How far along down the PhD are you? Because maybe he has concerns that the direction might change.

Whatever, I would think carefully about the benefits of having an additional supervisor from his point of view and try to sell it to him from that angle.

It's too late now but once you found out about the new professor joining you might have been best to raise the subject again with your supervisor before approaching the professor. However, if you are part-time, are you a self-funder? If you are I think this places you in a better position to guide the course of your PhD.

You can but you have to seek permission from the postgraduate team.

AQ, that is so gutsy - good on you!

My problem is I don't know a single person in Australia and am not well travelled and I'd be a nervous wreck landing in a strange place, without a job and without knowing how I was going to be able to keep myself. If I had a job to go to, I could build the rest around that (because I'd have somewhere to go to most days, have an income, have colleagues etc).

I'd love to be more adventurous but it's just not in my make up which is a pity.

I've sent you a PM.

I used Times (size 12) because the university seemed to recommend it. More generally, the topic or audience plays a part in the font I use.

Happy birthday Ady! Have a great day...

I'm not declaring the decade I was born but some years have passed since I was a child:$

It would do no harm to suggest it but the examiners and supervisor / supervisors will have the final say. Just be clear about why you need the viva then and see what happens. As I said, it can do no harm.

Thanks Lindalou83. You've been very supportive and the kind comments are appreciated. Thank you.

Heidi,

I loved reading that, it made me chuckle, you achieved a lot and so report back to us regularly and I'll continue to cheer you on!!!

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!(up)

Viva's can happen at any time of year, assuming the time and date is fine by all. Undergraduate students have the Summer off but staff usually work all year round.

Many thanks!

The only advice I can give you is try to have at least one article published (I don't) and look for jobs in advance of finishing. I did and very nearly got the first job I applied for (1st reserve and this was about a year ago) but have had absolutely no success since and only 3 interviews in the last 6 months and I've submitted stacks of applications.

...but you'll get there, just dig your heels in to give you staying power.

You could be right. I just assumed a couple from HR were contacting people and the left hand wasn't aware with what the right was doing and so the order of emails sent got mixed up.

I'll check with them.

Thanks.

I want to ask for some advice regarding a specific situation but don't want to post it openly as I don't want to be identified.

Any regulars willing to give me their views via PM?

It is tough out there Ady but strangely enough I find it comforting (or maybe I kid myself) to believe the volume of rejections is down to the circumstances (surplus of PhD's and very few jobs) rather than my personal attributes.

Anyway, good luck with this job application.

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'Apologies but I think your email was intended for another recipient. However, I would be most grateful if you could send me an application pack for the post of...

Many thanks.

Kind regards,

Ady'

If you're not in you can't win:p

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I would but keep it simple and to the point.

Oh and good luck!!!