Thank, everyone, you for your advice - I went ahead and had a conversation with my employer and my supervisor. I feel very lucky to have been met with understanding and have now struck a better balance. Sometimes people's support can be really surprising!

Unfortunately, it is part time but it's expected that the hours are across all 5 days of the week (non-negotiable). I find having a job sitting a screen and then a PhD sitting a screen is really sapping my energy. Financially, I saved a lot from my previous career which is a huge help but I'll definitely need a zero hour contract job, at least, to continue self funding.

I'm also a carer for two unwell people and I find my current hours and nature of the job difficult to balance with my own obligations.

Having said all that, I guess the real question is whether I'm passing up on an opportunity that would further my academic career in the long run?

Thank you ncrbrts & eng77 for your responses as being able to share with others who have gone through the PhD experience does draw out the real questions. I don't know many other PhDs I can ask as I always tend to sense a competitiveness when you bring up these kinds of issues and doubt I'm getting an honest response to an honest question.

Hi all
I have been a long time reader of this forum but never contributed. I've always found the advice here helpful and would greatly appreciate some honest advice from those who have endured the PhD process whilst self funding.

I'm currently in my second year PhD and hold a research assistant post at the same university. The post has been a fantastic opportunity but doing both has left me run down, constantly ill and with little energy to work on my PhD. Additionally, my supervisor recommended me for the post, so you can imagine how anxious I am considering leaving!

I'm really in a quandary about what to do. At this point, I'd be happy taking a retail job to minimise the burden and exhaustion but also know how good it 'looks' career wise to keep the role.

Has anyone been in a similar position? If so, what are your thoughts?

Thank you!