How do you go about telling your supervisor that you are quitting? I have been in a PhD for almost 6 months, but I just can't work in this environment anymore. I really don't fit in. I like the project, but it has been clear from the start that people in the lab don't like me. I have tried to stick it out, but it is now making me ill. So, the only solution I can see is to leave.

Have you tried telling your supervisor how you feel and talking to the others in the lab.
I had a similar problem but 9 months on things are much better.
It seems a shame to jack in a project you like cos of the people you work with. Try makinf friends with thise from other research groups.

I know how you feel because I am having the same situation! At the beginning, people were formal with me, and now after 7 months, I see nothing has changed and just a question Neil, are they training you or explaining u anything? Because I feel so lost, the supervisor tell me about experiments I could do, then he leaves me on it, all alone. Another guy has worked with the device already, and he does not show anything to me!! I am desperate for him to show me, each time they would have an excuse. They are not really "cooperating"...so I just wanted to know whether tis the same for u! If the people don't like u, I don't see why u have to bother with telling them about quitting...Or is the supervisor really very nice with u?

Hi Cathy. The supervisor himself is ok and I get on with him. It is the people I have a day-to-day dealing with who I don't get on with. In particular the postdoc who helped design the project. However, they go from extremes. They might spend one day 'holding my hand' which I hate, or the other extreme of completely ignoring. There also small 'groups' of friends in the lab and it is proving nigh on impossible to penetrate them, making me feel completely isolated. And this is meant to be one of theUK's best unis!

Neil, I am having exactly the same pb as u, to deal with the post doc who is in charge of my project! He knows things, but he wouldn't show me! So I confronted him and told him directly, if he does not help me with that project, I will tell supervisor and I will quit! He knows that his role here is to help me, so if I report to the supervisor that he does not do his job, he will be dead!

I think u can let them know that u are ready to quit if things don't change, maybe their attitude would change. It is always bad reputation for a lab to have PhD students quit because of bad working atmosphere...I think our cases are so similar, because my uni is supposed to be one of the best as well, but remember, PhD students contribute a lot to the lab's reputation as well...Try to look for new friends outside that lab if u can, when u graduate with ur PhD, u can turn ur A_ _ on them!

Cathy, can I ask what you are doing your PhD in and where?

Neil, I am doing my PhD in analytical biochemistry and electrochemistry. and it's not in the UK, but still in Europe (it seems that people's way of working in Europe is similar everywhere...:) And you? What is your field?

I'm doing mine in paediatric molecular infectious diseases in london.

Wow, that sounds complicated...very specific indeed! I was just wondering...Have things gone better since then? Do you have feedback from other people, or from other labs?

dear neil, i know how do you feel,as i also face the same type of situation you have.there are 2 options for it.ignore them,if one is having good relation with guide and post-doc try to learn from them as much as possible.the second option is that try looking out at other places for your studies(secretally).Good luck friend

Yes, I have passed through such a situation during my Ph.D. Just concentrate on your work and don't think or listen to your labmates. It is better to give a indication once to your prof whatever is going on in your lab. I think quitting a Ph.D. is not always good. You should keep patience.
Wishing you all the best.

Hi Cathy. One of the other postdocs has been noting what is happening. The one I am having trouble with is going away for 6 weeks next month, so that could be a blessing. But during all this, my experiments all seem to be working...just now!

so neil your problems are gettin solved.good for you go ahead and start upright

Hi Neil, I am happy that your experiments are going well. When the post doc comes back from his trip maybe he will be more open minded! Wish you the very best future Dr Neil!...:))