Hello everyone, I want to visit my old referees to ask for the reference. Even though I am in another country doing the phd, the distance is not so far. So I can afford the ticket and time to go back to the country where I did my master. However, I am wondering if having a person-to-person meeting with them is appropriate. I don't want to bother their work. Look forward to every piece of advise and thought.

Thank you very much Tudor_Queen for the suggestion. You give me a clearer idea about how to perform the transition.

Hello Tudor_Queen,

Thanks for the reply. At present, I only have one year contract with the university. The contract would be extended on condition that I get a positive feedback from my 9th month evaluation (going to happen in two weeks, but the contract needs one or two months to be prepared), which I am sure I can get. However, I don't want to sign the extended contract, because I am considering to leave and I don't want to take advantage of my current supervisor. Also, one of post docs in my lab told me that my supervisor can be difficult to deal with and he possibly threatens people with their career, which happened to him and another phd student. He said it would be a good opportunity for me to leave after one year if I want to. So my current plan is to leave smoothly (hopefully) when my one-year contract finishes, while I am uncertain if I can find a position at that time.

Hello, I also want to know how to explain my 8 month as PhD in this lab. Since I am hired by the university as a staff, is it fine that I write it into my research experience but not into education? I checked some cv samples, in which the PhD experience is also included into research experience.

Thanks you very much for the advice Tudor_Queen.

I totally agree with you that I should focus reason 1 when I tell people I want to switch project. However, I am wondering whether I can mention the field of the project is not the expertise of this group, which is a fact. I think it is not a criticism, right? Also, is it ok to say that his way of supervison is not suitable for me, even though he is supportive?

For the second advise, I think it is useful too. I didn't tell people that I want to leave, but just asked their experience in this lab and evaluation of their PhD time. I also tried to seek advice from them because my project is not well-structured and I am stressed. But you are right, I will be more careful. One more question: is it ok that I apply for a new project without telling my supervisor? Won't the perspective supervisor be interested into his opinion about me and contact him directly? I am also worried what if I find an attractive position but cannot find enough referees to apply for it.

As for the funding question, I am funded by EU.

Thanks for the replies. I am trying to contact the old referees to see if they still can provide me with reference letter, but very worried that they will feel wierd and reluctant. I am not sure what they will think if I tell them I want to change the project because it is unsuitable.

Hello everyone, I am a first-year PhD candidate who has entered into the field for 8 months. After being in the lab, I realise this project is not suitable for me. Here are the problems:
1. The project I am doing now is beyond the original plan and I do not have very strong interest in it.
2. The research is not the expertise of the group. I barely get some useful advise. If I can get some good input from my supervisor, I believe I can continue it. However, I feel I am wasting time now.
3. As I mentioned, my supervisor has no experience in the field of research I am doing. Everytime I come up with some ideas and discuss with him, he only expresses support but no suggestion or a judgement of feasibility.
4. I have talked with a few senior phd students and post doc in the lab. They all give me negative feedback on the academic competence of my supervisor as well as the personality of him. To be honest, I am an insensitive person and don't have too strong impression of his personality.

Some of my collegues in the lab told me it is ok for me to quit this phd and find another one, since I only start. I also have this thought and I already feel painful to continue this unstructured project. However, I am worried about how to get enough recommendation letter, the possibility to get admission by another programme as well as how to explain my experience of these months. I enjoy the process of exploring and solving puzzles, so I definitely want to do a phd.

I would be glad if someone could give me advise. Thank you.