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Sorry, for reasons I don't undesrtand the forum does not let me post all the text in one message.

Therefore see PART 1 and PART 2

PART 1

Hi there.

I am new to this forum.

No matter this devastating R&R result, I have made my name known in academia. I have published several works and I have participated in many conferences on my topic.

Just before I had the viva I sent out a CV to a famous academic in order to volunteer for a whole month in her famous clinical studies. Back then I had never guessed that I would be asked to R&R the PhD, therefore on my covering letter I wrote that my thesis is submitted and awaiting examination, which was the absolute truth.

Days later I received a reply that I was accepted as a volunteer... and here I am now, in a foreign country, working as a volunteer for the famous academic. I volunteer for the project and play a crucial role in it - she even asks me to supervise the experiments.

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PART 2

On the second day of the project the said academic (my boss, whom I volunteer for) introduced me to one of her colleagues saying that (my name here) has done a PhD. The meeting with that person was crucial as the funding of the project depends on him, so I was aware that we needed to give the best impression possible.

But while my boss said that I 'have done a PhD' straight after she finished her sentence I added that in fact, I am still working on the list of PhD corrections and I am pretty sure that both the boss and her colleague heard me saying that.

Of course, I did not mention the R&R verdict to them because others were there as well, and after all, the phrase 'I still work on my PhD corrections' in enough to tell someone that I am not done yet.

Anyway, the boss gives me more and more responsibilities every day and she even asked me to be one of the main editors of a publication of the topic. When she gave me the document in order to start editing she said to me 'I know you can do it, after all you have done a PhD, so you are experienced in academic editing'.

Confused! Does the boss really believe I am done with the PhD? She was clearly told on day two that I still work on a long list of PhD corrections. Does she give me all these great responsibilities and the editing of the volume thinking that I am now a Dr?

I have no idea. I never claimed to be a Dr or have completed the PhD but in the project she treats me like a Dr (though she has never called me one). It is true that I am more qualified that the rest of the volunteers in this project though.

Should I take the cookies (responsibilities, editorial role, etc.) and run? After all the volume won't be published before mid next year and chances are that I may (I cross fingers here) have submitted successfully. And what if the boss discoverers that I have received an R&R? Will she change her mind about me?

Well congratulations first of all on getting a place with a famous academic - that is brilliant!

As for the R&R situation:

Option 1: in my honest opinion I would probably take the boss aside and tell the truth. Offer to show a copy of the thesis if you want, then she can read it for herself and make her own decision. I'm assuming she's a PhD too so she'll understand how tough it is and may not even agree with the R&R verdict! If you're as good at your job as you seem to be I wouldn't have thought she'd change her mind but... you always have:

Option 2: where you don't say anything, just keep working for her and publishing etc and see if it comes up, then explain if required.

That probably doesn't help that much! I'm hoping that someone more experienced comes along and offers you some better advice!