Even though I have got a R&R as per the viva outcome, I am simultaneously applying for postdocs starting next year. I might not still have the phd in hand and infact, might not have a successful outcome on my post doc Application but it's a good exercise. However, my question is now about letters of reference. Even if my examiners suggested major corrections, I agree with them and would want them to write me a reference letter. But the university does not allow any contact with examiners until resubmission :(. I am left now with my supervisors and I give a damn about them after the outcome of my viva. I think they have totally done an unfair job but what can else can i do? Can I ask references from people in the department who have not supervised me but they are more accomplished and I share good relations with them and trust they will write a string supportive letter. I also know about other scholars from other universities who will happily write me a strong letter of support but have not necessarily workd with me...but how this will reflect on my post doc application?

I don't think they care. Others might better advise you, but having a nightmare phd experience, with a supervisor who was probably part demon, I'd say get what references you can. I've come across applications where they explicitly ask for your supervisor as referee, but like someone else advised me on this forum: if they didn't do a good job, do you WANT them as a ref? Rethink and if you've got others willingly wanting to help you, take it.

Ps: highly unlikely you won't be awarded your phd even after R&R. Unless you literally don't do any work at all.

Your last phrase gives me hope... lol.
Soon I should hear back from my examiners.

I haven't started applying for postdocs yet as there is nothing I am interested in, but I would also advise Ganesha to ask for references from people who have been real role models in her academic work - e.g. what about your undergrad dissertation or your master's examiner / advisor Ganesha?

Hi both
yes its a good idea to ask for a referece from someone who appreciates me. but i am going to find out directly from institution and express my concern that i dont feel confident of sending superviors's letter of support. although, one of them is quite professioal as she is of high standing in her field but the other one, is i find judgemental and has already put me in a box. can you believe, he will update me on the progress of how other students he supervises are doing and probably fairing better than me as if i could give a damn! he is unprofessional even if he is well-published. i am loosing my patience with him, sometimes i do feel a bit sympathetic for him as he is not English and might struggle with the same bureaucratic prblems that i face adjustig here as an international student. although he from Europe but i guess professional ethics are different there.

Well published never ever means they are professional, or indeed that they are experts in their field. What it means is that they've got phd students doing all the donkey work for them, who are publishing all this work, and because of this terrible coincidence the supervisor gets to put their name on the end. It's good you're asking your institution directly.

My ex supervisor was the same, except someone somewhere must've had enough of her because she walked in with a black eye and bloody nose one time. Don't let yourself get to that stage.

Pretty sure that manners are universal, don't give them an excuse for their behaviour. I put my ex supervisor's racism down to her age, she grew up in a time where it was acceptable to call someone coloured etc, which is disgusting, and eventually a complaint was made against her.

Hi Phddefault
I cannot believe that your supervisor was so narrow minded. In my case, my supervisor is definitely not a Racist but I guess, he is protecting his own career by discouraging were PhDs but the way he is doing is wrong. Also, I am in social sciences where getting published is like another birth. Our publication rate is so low that most aim for one per year of upto 8k and that is still counted as a great achievement so I don't think the he Can use me, besides, publishing in social sciences is not that tough if you are a goo writer. I have already paid so much into Phd that I have no choice but to go ahead even if he thinks I am a mediocre. I don't care anyways. My examiners have redeemed me and what they think matters the most. All my future references will be from my examiners anyways. Also, am I the only non-white Phd graduate who has trouble finishing the Phd in this forum? From my experience, most of those who land up with R and R are non-white students. It's like telling us that we are not white enough yet! I have no interest in this particular supervisor. He is boring an has no ambitions. All he is a good employee. I wonder why he is not a layer so he can exactly what the book says and not use is mind and innovative was.

I think you're being given some poor advice here and so want to suggest that you might want to rethink a bit.
1) If you are a social scientist then getting 6-12 months corrections is a pretty normal outcome. I'm quite surprised that you see it as so bad because it really isn't. No corrections is unusual in our field.
2) Assuming you and your supervisors are in the UK: one article a year in good journals is perfectly respectable. Publishing is fairly straightforward, publishing in the type of journals that count for the REF is not. You might not rate your supervisors but others clearly do - are you being wise to burn bridges if you are hoping for an academic career?
3) Not having one of your supervisors as a reference sends out a signal that you are on very poor terms. On the whole that's not a good signal to send. Is your relationship really that poor or are you just angry about the viva outcome? I think if you haven't got any other references who you have directly worked with as your OP seems to suggest, then you risk getting very generic and so not very helpful references, which given how few social science postdocs are out there and how many people are chasing them, might be more damaging.

Dear bewildered

Thank you. I know In social science, the Phd process is very subjective and maybe I am being a bit harsh in this supervisor but to be honest, half of the corrections the examiners have given me is the same that my supervisors rejected when I had initially written them that is why I don't actually disregard but myself for,not trusting myself enough. But then, I could not submit until they had said yes..what a dilemma. It's a gamble...what you write for your supervisors is rejected by the examiners! Either way, the student suffers especially now that have to raise money to live additional months in the UK and without a job it's so hard.

In any case, why should I assume the the will,be happy to support my application? How do I find out if he won't write me down?

I wouldn't call it poor advice, I'd say it's being realistic and allowing them to evaluate their options fully.

Some supervisors can cause damage to your budding career, because of their reputation amongst other academics. If they happen to write you a poor reference, then that's damaging to you, with no skin off their nose. And that is exactly what my ex supervisor did to me. Can I do anything about that other than not have my ex supervisor as a referee? No I can't.

So again I would suggest to keep your options open, and use a referee who a) knows you, b) actually helped you, and c) you can trust.

Yep, neither could I. She used to get a kick out of humiliating me publicly. I don't have the greatest experience of academia. But I'd still say stay positive, and keep your options open.