It sounds like you have a programming job and not a post-doc. It is only a concern if you want to continue in academia, if so there is no shame in leaving. Be honest with your supervisor that you are looking for a more research active post-doc and it is also okay to say that in an interview.

That is a shame PhoenixFortune that a suspension would not work. Though if the 17.5 hour a week job is going to land during data collection anyway, that is going to be a crazy amount of work simultaneously. If you need the money to enable yourself to finish the PhD, I would talk with your supervisor if there is anything you can do to make it work. You might have to modify your planned timeline slightly but there should be a way to for you do take the opportunity, without burning out.

@cucaracha, I completely agree with you that this is a disgrace and completely unprofessional. However, I have personally noticed from this forum that once lawyers get involved the complaints process grinds to a complete halt and can take months if not years. An internal solution would be preferable (if somewhat unlikely) than a long drawn out process. Doing the corrections is an even safer solution to end this torrid affair. Although you mention requiring a transcript of the remarks, but if you can clip the racist remarks and give it a tasty headline like "Racist lecturer at X university tries to fail PhD student based on race", it may be very helpful.

Hi jxlx,

I agree with most of what you say but your funding argument doesn't make sense to me. The job market is incredibly tight at the minute and probably won't change much in the next few months. I do not recommend to anyone dropping out of a PhD without having their next step lined up. You can apply for jobs and then drop out when you have something arranged but keep the cash coming. In the meantime treat your PhD as a 40 hour a week job and develop a real social life. I understand there is pressure to do 60 hours a week but if you do the basic amount of work what can they do to you, fire you for not working 60 hours a week?

I don't know any lawyers but what are you trying to achieve? You still passed your viva, albeit with major corrections, and can call yourself Dr. If you dispute the viva result in court with lawyers and don't do the corrections you will technically fail and not be Dr Phd20sb. I know the corrections are brutal but legal action will take a long time and jeopardise your pass. Dealing with it internally and/or doing the corrections will be far easier even if it is unfair.

On the topic of corrections and I may be wrong, if you address the examiners issues they cannot fail you for new issues. I.e. if you merge chapters and the combined chapter then doesn't make sense, I don't think they can fail you for that. As long as you do everything they request, you will most likely pass and be done with the entire process in a few months.

I am currently doing a full time research assistant role and have suspended my studies. Fortunately, it is with my PhD supervisor at the same uni on a project that is close enough to my PhD that I can include it in my thesis.

If you are self funded already, request a suspension of studies (or whatever your uni calls it) and keep working on your PhD. 3.5 hours a day is a significant amount of work and will delay you even further but if you can suspend you don't lose any money or PhD time.

It probably doesn't matter and is a point of personal preference.

There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Publishing requires publishable research. Do good research and publishing will work itself out. Generally, PhD students take parts or chapters of their PhD and turn them into smaller standalone pieces of work that answer a smaller question. The paper usually has to be on a novel section of your thesis that would add to greater literature. Theoretically your PhD should yield at least one publishable paper although some lucky people can publish 3 or 4 of their PhD thesis. You can write the papers during or after your submission but it makes your viva easier if parts of your thesis has already been published. Usually your supervisor will help you convert your work into a paper format and guide you through the process. However, it is better to focus on doing the research first.

Are you doing a full-time PhD while working full-time? As that is difficult and I praise you for even doing a part-time PhD while working. Finding a rhythm can be difficult and I am not much help here. Other people on this forum have recommended setting certain times every week dedicated to your PhD.

There are not many honest universities out there. They do some shady stuff but they are also smart enough to protect themselves.

Every PhD is different and getting started is one of the hardest parts of a PhD. Before my PhD I had no research experience and was similarly lost but so was everyone else. Though I would suggest reading as much as you can. It doesn't need to be tailored but read whatever you find interesting or think is important so that you start building your wider knowledge. I personally think to many PhD students have no knowledge outside their niche area and getting a perspective of the wider field helps so much later on in your PhD. So just start reading without forcing it.

Hi anonymoushomo,

I don't what perspective I can give you but what do you want to do? It sounds like you want someone to give you options whenever you should really be asking what sort of career you want. The sad truth is you are probably going to be working for another 30-40 years and you don't really want to do something you don't enjoy. Most of us will also change career at some point due to how life develops so what you choose now is not going to be permanent. My personal philosophy is to find a job/career that you enjoy or can at least tolerate the work involved. I understand that you don't know what is achievable but do you want to do research, teaching, industrial related job or something completely different? Then you can evaluate your options and see what you can/want to do.

I am sorry to hear this. It sounds like you had a torrid time with a manipulative and abusive supervisor. Although I don't know anyone who successfully sued their university in court. I am not a legal expert but do you have any written evidence of this? If you any written evidence or witnesses, I would consult a lawyer in your home jurisdiction if you have an case.

I am assuming, congratulations on passing your viva! I understand that it is not ideal but a pass is a pass and you have done well.

I know at my university it is very difficult to make a complaint against the corrections themselves. However if your internal was blatantly racist and biased you can might be able to make a complaint against the examiner. I would talk with your student union and your supervisor about your options. If the video includes any signs of racism you should have a good case.

Although I would be careful with what you ask for. The university complaint procedure is usually stacked against the student and fair results are rare. It may be easier if you raise the complaint and submit the bare minimum of corrections. They might just accept the corrections to stop the complaint.

Nah, you would be bcc :)

Have you looked at a PGCE?