I agree in the last statement as that is nearly what I was said, I vouch all I said is as I remember: I was in a very good and experienced team, and I was fit for their research directions and funding for a project from the company stopped. The problem isnot me, is the ex-supervisor who interviewer reach him although I have a couple of references from other good people, I think that is because they know my real story and not hiding it.

@tru, I totally agree with your perspective and that is also what I am thinking. I managed to get a job in a lab in another country, however, I know I accepted it because I have no other options, also the lab am in, the topic they imposed far away from my background, but I told myself work as you can and consider apply to other good positions, however, when the name of the institute appears they ask about the past although they know I am working in a new institute in a different country, I do think I have not told that I was a student because no one will believe that I was blamed and what is controversial that I had to get grants from top-tier conferences, which every potential interviewer made him/her suspicious more, why I have been forced to leave! I am crying I did nothing and this asshole ex-PI apologized after spoiling one year, I am tired of thinking as I am still applying, should I hide this story.

As you may know, I was a first-year student and forced to leave and it was a long story, I have posted here. My question is: since I pledged myself to be honest and tell the truth, the interviewers when they hear that they are negatively affected. Recently, I have applied for a position and I was shortlisted to 4, and then when they heard my case they told me we want someone who can commit, I told them my story positively and never mentioned any negativity. I have received an email from ex-PI who forced me to leave asking that he received an email from the interviewer and I saw the email that he is extremely interested, and the ex-PI asked me what I have told them about the lab so that he can be consistent with my words, honestly, I didn't have a good intention from his email, I have been always honest and candid, but the ex-PI used to lie based on multiple situations. I have been rejected. I am struggling as I was blamed and honestly, the reason for leaving is that I am an independent researcher and ex-PI didn't like that. However, I look through interview embarrassed sometimes and a nervous little bit because of their reaction like have a taboo. I don't want to lose any future interviews, I have noticed that students apply elsewhere and don't mention they are a current student in a specific program, however, my situation is awkward as I spent one year and my name is still indexed in their website although my webpage is removed. Please, suggestion, should I hide it, but I tell myself it isn't ethical.

@incov, I am in the same boat as yours! I have to say I was forced to leave( long story), although I had the same hallmarks like yours and I told myself to continue and try to fix things up, however, in the end after spending one year, I have been forced to resign. Here is the most important advice, if you really think the project is not getting better and you are the only one who can know that, you can consider looking for other positions and not mentioning your current situation while keeping yourself in the position and if you find another good project you can leave at this case.

Of course, in the beginning, it wasn't easy, but by the time you figure out what is the point behind staying in a useless project where there is no support, of course, it will not add.


To sum up, stay in the position and start looking for other projects in different countries don't restrict yourself. Once you been accepted and your gut tells you this is a good project, you can consider leaving this one.


I hope this could help and wish for you the good luck.

@tru, thanks for saving many students, I wish I trusted my gut feelings instead of spending on year on a useless project, so I totally agree with your comment. Most importantly is how to make sure this PhD is going to enhance your vision and academic career. I am looking to young researcher of Open AI company for instance and how they speak about their supervisor Geoffry Hinton, I was pondering: is that luck is to find an exceptional supervisor and you just do real science and discoveries. I am applying to many positions, and none of the projects seems interesting, the advice I can give to anyone don't spend more than one year in a useless project, just run away, make sure you made the good selection as the real good selection takes time and I think that important instead of wasting couples of years with clueless supervisor and program.

Hi @Keziapuvvula, your story is absolutely inspiring and I can imagine how is your character after going through the challenge, I am happy that in the end figured out your goal in the life and finding the right people to support you.


In the end, I think it isn't about gender, it is more about mentality, however, I think the most important is having the right people and environment that could recorrect you in your path. Currently, I am still perceiving and discovering myself, although I am teaching at the university, I think I can do more than that, I am still missing this piece of passion, so I wish every man or woman can find the right people, opportunities.

Wishing for you all the good luck.

@pm133, I respect your experience, but you have to filter very well our intention because it seems you don't trust anyone. First off, both sides of the argument could be heard when they have the same power balance and rights, we all know that students are cheap labour, of course, there are different reasons to stop your program whether academic misconduct, personal behaviour, you did not meet your supervisor expectations.

In the end, all I want to say there is a grey area where the good and bad are mixed, and we cannot sort out the truth as it has never been resolved in the light.

Each anonymous account posting here, what do you think the intention behind writing his/her story, nothing, you did not help me how to figure the long days with money and figuring out how to get out of this mess that my supervisor made! He just feels happily relaxed and doesn't care about this poor student. In the end, I am like yours I don't trust anyone, but who really deserve help, I will do

@pm133 I do agree with you of course. However, we need regulations that protect the prospective students as you may know the contract is temporary in Europe for students and this contract can be violated easily! I spent one year and it was lonely, a research in itself makes you isolated from social life, which I think a big sacrifice and thats leads to mental diseases, so I wish there is an neutral accredited organization that could investigate and help many students of course if they are victim to toxic supervisors.

BTW, all the complains are anonymous, you dont know who I am or who is the supervisor is, of course, I agree that rate my supervisor is not acceptable, because the cases must be treated in the light and hearing both sides, but the problem inside the campus there a game of power inequality, that what faced in our home universities and even after travelling. I wish again to understand that cases in the future must be handled in fair, and not wasting time of the student as well. Thank you once again.

@rewt, just final words before leaving this platform, I am assistant lecturer and I left my country to do real science, I sacrificed alot! I am not supposed to say that, but I helped my students along the five years ago, they loved me so much till that moment, I do all I can because I believe in them even after leaving! So, dont consider I am not teacher, I teach, I superviser, I learn from them, I am compassionate. I am writing that and tears in my eye, because my ex-supervisor blamed you, you dont have to believe, but you cannot imagine how I struggle to achieve my goal and be in the right track again! Of course, I wish every one have a good experience, I have never been in my life envious, but the idea in my masters, my supervisor for me and colleague was awful, and who helped the external supervisor, I owe for him till my death. There are many supervisor I consider them like father, but when you leave every thing behind, struggling alone, and working hard, crying nights, getting grants and be in the end telling me I doubt this work because it wasnot his experience, it is hard..... I spent two months figure out what I can do, a girl alone, it isnot easy at all, I am just crying because it is hard feelings, but this doesnot mean, I am not ambitious, I am very ambitious and hard working and I need the success more. Thats why we need to bring the both bad and good to give lesson to other who leave their countries and get out of comfort zone! In the end, from my heart indeed wishing every one can make a good selection and fulfilling their goals.

Can the admin of the website delete my account! I don't find the setting of deleting it.

I say that because I wished before starting, I read those posts to consider my proper selection instead of going blindly and dont weigh those factors! So, I think your comments is way off ! For @trys11, of course there still good part, but you need to make sure you made the good selection.

@pm133, I dont know if you imply I give a negative advice! Actually, I didnot give advice, I want this mess stop, of course, every one experience is different and I wish as I said to find a good advisor, but the percentage isnot high as expected.

@trys11, indeed I am thinking about collecting all the cases from here and in academia stack exchange since I have the same issue, I think what @eng77 have mentioned in his latest post is really a good idea. I am really pissed off of the increasing number of the complains and different stories that will never end, if we can just report the name of the university and institute so that people can hear us. My ex-supervisor is protected by his institute, they didn't help me. Now, I am struggling to find a good supervisor, I am just sceptical about the integrity of academia.

Dear @AlpaOmega, I read your answer with passion and indeed we seem to be twins! Of course, finding a good psychiatric is important and avoiding medication as some people recommend me this! But I will not hide bipolar and OCD is spoiling my life sometimes and steal a huge amount of time even in learning or repeating many times something I knew for many years! I know it sounds horrible, but I am fighting as much as I can.


According to your decision to stop and start while you have a family! I don't know as I am still single and caring my family remotely! However, I do think recently, the most important thing is finding another good professor where I can restore my passion! I do like the voluntary works so much! I feel happy! However, I am stuck to the current meaningless position to afford money for my living in the recent moment!


I think the best thing is training our mind to be positive! But as I mentioned having some mental diseases and some events in the past sometimes do attacks, but indeed really to find the right track again.

I am so happy for you that you have the life you want! I am wishing for you the peace of mind and happiness as well. Thanks so much for your advice indeed it made cheer up.