Thanks all. This is really helpful Bewildered. I don't really want a permanent lectureship as my plan has been to build up my research profile before going into teaching or any permanent role. This is why I'm wondering if it's poss to go back to postdoc-ing if you do have a lectureship opportunity and step down that route. If I'm getting you correctly, you're saying (given what I've said about my priorities) it would be best to avoid unless it's a very short term kind of teaching role?

If you get a lectureship would it then be unusual / like a step backward to go for a postdoc?

Hi there

This situation doesn't sound great. I guess what you do depends on how much you would like to stay in the present situation and try and make it work, and whether you think it can indeed work. It might be that you think it is worth trying to work things out and it COULD work, or maybe you feel like that just isn't going to happen...??

If you're not sure but want to try it then you could maybe set a time frame, like 3 months or whatever, and during this time you do x, y , and z to try and help the situation (eg speak to supervisor, speak to personal tutor/academic advisor, ask to change supervisor) - and if things still haven't improved then you move on to something else. The idea about doing a different PhD could work. I guess it just depends on whether you think it is time to ditch the present situation.

Also, it would seem wise to change your personal tutor. You are totally in your rights to do so.

It doesn't have to even be someone closely related to the area, as long as they are in the same overall area and so know what's expected in your department /research area. I think I'd try asking someone to skim read it and if you can't find anyone willing to do that, then maybe try the one chapter approach that rewt suggests. I just think if at all poss it would be better to get someone to give judgment / feedback on the whole thing. But even a chapter is better than nothing.

Do you have an academic tutor you could ask perhaps? I don't think it needs to be secret really, as long as it's not framed as oh I don't trust their judgment so could you take a look. I dont think it'd be the end of world if your supervisor found out. I often ask others to look at my papers that are co authored with my supervisors. Just cos I want the extra feedback.

I don't think it's critical BTW. No one read mine other than my supervisors. It's just that it might help you feel more confident.

Good luck!

I agree. It is rather disheartening that your supervisor's first student failed though. I would want to get some feedback from someone else on my thesis, as I wouldn't feel I could trust their judgment at all. My aim would be to be able to go into that viva feeling confident. Even if my thesis isn't the best (mine wasn't), knowing that I can defend it.

Your supervisor sounds a bit rubbish. But re feedback, it could be that your work is really good so their comments are minimal. To find out and try get some more substantive feedback before the viva you could have someone else read your thesis.

Re the internal. I think it's hard to judge which way examiners will go. I read that new, inexperienced and potentially insecure ones can be really harsh and nit picky as they may be trying to prove themselves. That said, my internal was new and she wasn't that way. Incidentally, my external seemed to take a more leading role. I'm not sure I'd bother trying to change your examiner, as you never know, this one might be fine and the one you choose might be a nightmare once in the room! But if you did want to, I think Rewt's idea is a good one, if you can find some conflict of interest and say you'd rather switch. Another idea is make sure you discuss your external with the supervisor, so you at least get a say in that.

Good luck with everything.

Yes, but perhaps even more to it than that - tho I'm not sure what. I feel suspicious about the previous person also being pushed out. I mean, they know funding doesn't grow on trees so they are losing out too here by keep doing this. Toxicity yes but I wonder what else is at play.

We get publications for our supervisors - so they gain in this way. Supervisors need students. We shouldn't pay to do that, but get a stipend, in my opinion.

One old PhD friend of mine did what the OP is asking about. It was very stressful and I do not know if she managed to get funding after her first year or not. She was teaching an awful lot last I heard, so I don't think she did manage to. She went down this route cos she didn't have high undergraduate marks etc and thought she wouldn't be competitive enough for research council funding. It made sense in her situation.

You clearly care about her a lot. But this could be a good opportunity to free yourself from the situation you've found yourself in. It doesn't mean cutting all ties etc, but just getting your own space and learning not to feel guilty. She would have to adjust to you not being there after time, and by the sounds of it, it would be good for both of you!

Ps. It sounds a nightmare and sorry you have to go through it.

I have not seen your academic writing, but your writing does not seem poor based this post. I have no idea how you deal with this if you want to fight it (well, apart from appealing - which is actually the standard approach in situations like this - you go to a panel, have a hearing etc and a decision is made, which you can then appeal). But seriously, if you fought it and won, would you want to stay in this environment? I also know that fighting is exhausting and demoralising (having sat on a panel myself as a student representative). I suggest moving on. Try and find a decent project and supervisor elsewhere. Get a second opinion on your academic writing if you do have any doubts about that side of things.

Yep, that is true. I think I'd want someone different to read it and get their take. To try and give you more confidence and perhaps give some more feedback you can address to improve it.

Re the comments the colleague made: those are actually encouraging although I understand you being worried in the context of what has happened with the previous student. It sounds like she thinks it has what it takes to be a thesis and add a little something to the field, but it needs a bit of work to make it clearer what was known before and what your thesis adds.

My thesis was absolutely horrible and I hated it too. I didn't feel like it added much. But perfecting the writing and framing things well makes a difference and can make you feel more confident about what you've done. For me, it always helps with any project to write an abstract and perfect that. Once I have a convincing story or case with my abstract, I feel like it is what it is, not perfect but it makes sense and adds something. You could try this technique to help clarify your research aims etc.

OK, so some clear signage reminding people? It sounds bit like a staff room fridge situation, where people are stealing milk that isn't theirs. Annoying but more do as it's to do with your work.

I just think you need to check with the school. But if you've been awarded your undergrad you defo can't lose it, and that goes without checking!