======= Date Modified 30 33 2010 23:33:31 =======
======= Date Modified 30 32 2010 23:32:50 =======
Hi Everyone,

I have previously posted after I was asked to write my academic reference and now have progressed and have a new problem!!

My studentship applications were turned down :-( Due to political reasons which is very annoying. However, I have been offered a PhD within a huge project which I know will have a massive impact within my field globally. I have to wait another 18 months to start but the project is worth the wait.

The issue here is that (again for political reasons!!) my sup wants to bring in another person onto the project to help supervise me. I know that this person has greater experience in the techniques we will be using and knowing my sup for over 1 year now I know that they will essentially hand over my supervison to this new person. My sup has already admitted to me that she does know this person at all (except his publications etc) and the times she has met him, she does not like him.

There is another person who I have been working with who has offered to be my co-sup and I am very happy to have him. Although we cannot get past the political issue with the main sup.

I really want to be strong and say I do not want this person supervising me as it will mean I will have to move to a different group and I do not know him at all and that I do want the other man who has offered. But I do not want to seem ungrateful or offend anyone by getting out of my pram about it!

What do people think about this? Am I within my rights to say I do not want someone supervising me and say I do want another? Or what is the bet way for me to approach this without offending or seeming rude?

I am really stressing out here and feel very strongly that I do not want this man as a supervisor. Even though the project does not start soon I will have to finalise supervisors within weeks so do not have time on my side.

The issue is further complicated by the fact that although some may say I have 18 months to get to know him...If I go with him there is a whole portion of the project I will not be able to do which I am desperate to do. I am being given as a 'gift' (along with my funding of course!) to another group for a political power struggle. This was not what I was originally offered.

Thank you in advance for any help!

Margot