...has got me worried. I really don't know who I would ask if I had to find three referees (which I will some of these days). I have just the one supervisor (two on paper, but the second has no involvemwent in my work whatsoever), and I pride myself on working independently. Will I have to swallow my pride in order to get a job? This might not seem like a big deal to others, but I'd feel like I was selling out if I had glowing reports from people who didn't even know me!

If you're thinking about referees for post PhD work, I believe your examiners (particuarly the external) are important. I haven't got this far yet, but I've been told the external examiner is the key person in terms of references. If you need a third referee, maybe you could go for someone who can comment more broadly on you as a person, rather than specifically on your work, as I'd have thought two should be sufficient for that.

I think that a lot of undergrad students have this problem- and that supervisors are aware of this. I don't think they will put much emphasis on the reference (unless it's bad) and more on the interview and the way you can explain your undergrad work and how much interest you show in their research. References should have nothing to do with pride or anything else- it's a question of fulfilling university regulations to be able to be accepted.

I'm assuming you're a PhD graduate. Your main referee would be your supervisor obviously. If you've had a supervisor and you've worked with the head of the lab also, the head of the lab can also be a referee. Remember there's no harm in listing your Bachelor's supervisor or personal tutor as well as the others mentioned, as long as they remember you

I should clarify, I AM talking about referees for postdoc positions. I'm in the second year of my PhD. Thanks for the replies so far, I like the external examiner idea...

Well, for a postdoc, I'd recommend your supervisor for your PhD and your supervisor for undergrad. If you did a masters in between, you Masters supervisor, but basically, if you use your 2 referees that you listed when applying for a PhD and your PhD supervisor, it shouldn't be a problem. The older referees should have the original reference they wrote for you so it shouldn't be a problem.

Most people have more than one PhD supervisor so how about using your Director of Studies and a co-supervisor? Or perhaps someone you have collaborated with during your PhD?