When I went to see my Prof., I didn't even know it was an interview! I was recommended to see him based on my proposal which I sent round to a few universities. He is in the same field as me and we hit it off from the start and 20 minutes in, he said he would love to supervise my project and would incorporate it into his. I said I needed to go part-time due to family commitments but he recommended I register full-time and just work from home, mostly, if that suited me (except when testing, meetings etc.). I even got a better computer to handle big amounts of data etc. He, himself, only comes in 2 x a week. Now, September is getting closer, I have reminded him of our arrangement and he hasn't replied. I am worried that if I don't get something concrete out of him, I will be stung. Should I 'nag' him and risk being a whiner or be safe and get it confirmed before I officially start. Do any of you have this type of arrangement?

In my lab, if you don't have bench work to do it's fine for you to be working from home as long as contactable via e-mail or phone. I'm sure he is still fine with the arrangement, especially if he only comes in twice a week. I don't think there's a system in any uni to know whether you are there or not so I'm sure if you are producing the work no one will have a problem with it. And you'll still be putting in full time hours just flexi time!

I wouldn't worry. He is probably away or busy and simply doesn't think your request is important enough to bother, as it is sooo obvious. Supervisors sometimes have a hard time perceiving what might be bothering their students.
If you aren't worried about the number of years to completion, and think you won't be working on your project full time, then part-timing can save you fees-money. However, as part-timer you won't be eligible for much of the funding available, which is probably why he wants you to be registered (and pay) for full time. Apart from that, as long as you meet the required deadlines, no-one cares how many hours you actually work on it, and even less how often you are on campus. With the only exception that there might be a course or two for beginning PhD students that is compulsory for fulltimers, whereas parttimers can choose to do it in their second year.

Oh, ok, thanks you two. That makes me feel better. I thought full-time meant FULL TIME. If that is the general consensus at other unis then I am not going to worry about it. I know I have a few inductions to do and obviously, testing next year but if he seemed happy for me to do a lot at home then I will accept that. He said, himself that if he only goes in twice a week, he gets more done at home where he can't be bugged by students so much. I am just getting jitters about it being so very close and official. Ok, let me find something else to worry about

I was told that the department I'll be joining doesn't have much in the way of facilities for research students (although they're trying to change that) so full or part time I'd be expected to do most of my work from home.
How's the search for funding going PinkNeuron?

Hi Ju
Funding, that is a worry box that I popped on the shelf for a bit!! I was getting so down about it, I could think of little else except pull out of my PhD, so I decided to just not think about it for a bit. I have my fees sorted for the first year. Fortunately, I live at home, of course, so no expenses there. My Prof. said he would be looking into more funding opportunities for me as well. I grew up really poor and I registered for my first university without any money at all. After registering, I applied for a student loan at a bank and the man backdated it to a time when they gave out loans to students without security. I also ended up getting 2 scholarships, so I figure, maybe I am just meant to fly by the seat of my pants!!

Sorry if I opened the box for you then! Having fees for the first year is a start at least, I hope you manage to sort something else out. Judging from your past experience I reckon you'll be fine
I've been offered a place to start next month but haven't got enough to pay the fees - have applied to a few places so I'm keeping my fingers crossed but if I don't manage to get anything I'm not sure what I'll do

When I say 'sorted', Ju, I mean, I know where I can borrow some money! My dog is also having puppies in 3 weeks, pedigree ShihTzus, so that should cover the rest .
I have also just delivered nearly 500 yellow pages and I am studying A level biology so I can be a tutor, perhaps!! So, it isn't exactly straightforward for me but I feel that I am doing something, at least!
I hope you get sorted, I am sure one day when we are rich and famous, we shall look back at these lean years with fondness

It's full time but you do some of it at home. I done some of a project for a Xmas lab job at home and had to fill in the hours I did. you must have a conformation otherwise for all you know he may have forgotten about you. Also the uni needs it on their database. So you need to nag him but you can do it politely. Stress how important it is for you to know now (like for financial commitments etc).

I have worked exclusively from home all the first year, just go in once a month for supervisions. This year I have requested a desk at uni as I am teaching too so want to make the best of my time.
I was told that it is quite feasible to work 10-4 mon-fri and complete a phd with no problems within 3 years...its the amount of work you do not the amount of hours you put in that makes the difference.
enjoy

Thanks dazed, the more I read about the 'home-workers', the better I feel. I also went through the website and found a place that actually states 'There is no weekly attendance requirement for either mode of study as the University recognises that many research students will need to carry out some part of their research away from the University, e.g. libraries or in their place of work'.

PinkNeuron, your uni regulation is weird. My uni stipulates that all research students are required to attend the methodological training course, funding proposal sessions and one or two taught master's course at discretion. Don't you need to attend any of these in your first yr? I think they are a must.

At our place we had to attend a block taught (every day for a week) module on research methodologies and that was it. Personally I always worked in uni, my mate andy worked from home and had no problems at all. I suppose it just depends on where you work best.

With regards to an earlier post about the proffessor not getting back to an email. I'm a lecturer and on my contract it states that the bulk of our leave (and there's quite a bit 35 days or something) must be taken when the students are on holidays. With a result most people take much of the summer off and come back in for clearning (A-Level resutls in the UK).

Regards,

Tiggs

Hey no worries about agreeing to work at home. I did a lot of fieldwork in my first 3 years so was rarely in the office anyway - my supervisors never knew when I was there and when I wasn't. Though now I'm writing up from a completely different location (to be with my partner) and only go back to the department occasionally to see my supervisors - I got them to agree this, but I don't think they would have noticed if I hadn't been there. It's my friends who notice the most... It's being able to put in the hours which is the key, but up to you how you do it. Tutoring is a good idea, I'd like to do more of that myself.