Hey everyone! I just completed my qualifying exams this past May and am trying to wrap up project 1 of my dissertation (my department does two projects compiled into one) at the end of the summer. My husband just got transferred to a location 9 hrs away which happens to be our dream city. Also, I've been offered a teaching position at the University in the same town. My PI was open to the idea of a long distance dissertation process, but now that it's official (we've accepted the jobs/put our house on the market) he's freaking out (somewhat understandable). Today we were supposed to meet to discuss all the details and expectations, but when I approached him he said "I've been advised to not talk to you", as if I was going to take legal action? He evidently brought my situation up to the department and they are covering their butts and hanging me out to dry. I have done everything I can think of to spell out how the process will go, and to give examples of others that have done this SAME thing. Someone please give me advice as to how to handle this. Yes, I will still need to do data collection from a distance, but have already discussed this with the professors at the university where I will be employed. Any advice/experiences are welcome!

Firstly, congrats for getting the job!

Starting a job before submitting is fairly normal in the UK - I took up a job before I had submitted my thesis, but in my case I had actually finished the first draft and my supervisors knew there wasn't much else to be done on it.

I'm not sure what else you can do to be honest. Can you find some academic in your dept willing to be on your side who might be able to speak to your PI on your behalf? Or find someone that can go behind the scenes and find out what is going on?