What to do when your PhD supervisor is not a good match for you

You got a Ph.D. position in a lab you always wanted to work in. The salary is fine, the project is going well, and your life is according to destiny’s book. Unfortunately, life does not always go according to your plan.

Your principal investigator (PI), also known as your thesis advisor or supervisor, is responsible for overseeing your academic progress and quality of your research. This is always a collaborative effort, and it is important that both parties have a good working relationship. Even if you have picked your favourite lab and are confident that your PI is a good fit for your research interest and personality, the relationship may change over time. This doesn’t need to be due to the lack of chemistry. Often a project proves more complicated than expected, funding is unexpectedly cut, or life plans change. PI's hold a lot of power and influence over your academic career, and it can be difficult to speak up if you find yourself in an impasse. Luckily, there is always a solution.

How to amend or end your working relationship

First, try to stay calm and create an overview of the existing problem. It can feel overwhelming and confusing at first. It is easy to get caught up in too much detail and lose sight of the bigger picture. Taking a step back and assessing the situation from several perspectives helps to see things more clearly. Second, communication is key. Reach out to your PI to arrange a meeting for the two of you to calmly discuss the problem. A short and informal email at night may not be suited for everyone. Third, talk to your peers. Be aware that it is important to communicate your problems in a way that does not damage anyone’s reputation. Neither you nor your PI wants any harm, and respectful handling of information is especially important in the academic field. You can also contact your student representatives by email to seek further advice. They can help you find a suitable mediator for your specific Ph.D. program, as well as what steps can be taken to resolve your problem. 

Even if you and your PI decide to end your collaboration, and you have the feeling that everything seems to fall apart, there is still hope for your Ph.D.! Here is some practical piece of advice how to deal with this situation. Often your PI will recommend a colleague as a new supervisor to continue your studies. However, you can also take action on your own and go through the list of supervisors in your field to see who might be interested in working with you. Contact your potential new supervisor to express your interest in working together on your original project. If your difficulties are caused by the project or other influencing factors that make it impossible to complete your original project, you might need to start a new project. Once the two of you have come to an agreement, it is recommended to prepare a new project plan with your new supervisor to help guide you through the steps needed to successfully complete your new project and finish your degree. To officially change your project and/or supervisor, you will need to email the student department that is responsible for Ph.D. students at Med Uni Vienna. In the email, you have to clearly state your desire to switch and include both your old PI and your new PI in the cc-field. This way, all parties are aware of the change, and the student department can ensure that the necessary steps are taken to facilitate the transition.

All is well that ends well

In every employment relationship, you learn something new about your work, but also about yourself. You carry that learning experience with you into your next job, and you are a little smarter about what you expect from your work, your supervisor, and your employer. Changing supervisors is no joke, but it does not have to mean the end of your studies. You may have to change your project or come up with a new project plan, but you can still achieve your goal. As said, there is always a solution, and most importantly, there are people at the university who will be happy to support you when you come to the crossroads of changing your project and/or supervisor.