I had forgotten about this forum (it was a year ago that I last visited it) and by sheer coincidence I was thinking about it today and it just happened that this thread has come back.

I would like to thank everyone who answered for their words of advice. I decided not to go for the f/t job and p/t PhD option. I realised that although it would have been, in principle, possible, it would have been totally unrealistic. I have a PhD lined up to start later this year (by which time I will have qualified as a solicitor). I have decided to ditch the professional career in favour of academia. The Uni that I will be at have also hinted that there may be an opening to tutor UGs whilst studying. I will find out in the near future whether or not the tutoring job will go ahead.

I noticed that there is another recent thread on this forum about f/t jobs and p/t PhDs. I will be honest and say that when I was considering that option I was being completely unrealistic.

I think aliby is right. Find a new supervisor.

Ophiucus,

Have you sought any legal advice on this. You don't necessarily need to go to a solicitor - there are many free legal advice centres and Citizens Advice are usually quite good when you need to know what your rights are. I think something like that could really help you find out exactly where you stand and what you can do.

Hope it all works out.

Keith

Thanks for all the advice

Thanks for the advice DanB.

My reasons for doing a Ph.D are not solely a love for the subject, although that is obviously a large part. I hope to become a lecturer eventually and would almost certainly need a Ph.D. I had considered doing it full time or even working part time and doing the Ph.D part time. Money, however, is not the biggest issue. Before becoming an academic I want get qualified. Obviously I could take a three year gap after working as a solicitor but I don't really like the idea of spending three years not earning.

Has anybody else worked full time whilst doing the ph.D?

eh...dregs of society? Are you talking about criminals? Not all solicitors are criminal lawyers?

Thanks anyway.

Does anyone else have any general advice about working full time and doing a Ph.D?

I am new to this forum and would like to introduce myself as a trainee solicitor who is considering studying a Ph.D whilst working full time. I really just want to know if anyone else has done this and whether or not it is possible. Obviously the job itself is pretty hard going but I have a love for the subject and really want to get to the level of Ph.D.

Any advice would be great.