Changing PhD supervisor for funding?

[SAhmed]

Hi, 

I have been wondering about changing my supervisor for another one for funding. is it a risky move? considering that my supervisor is cheap, and there are others that are providing funding for their students within the department. 

[COGSCI]

You can change your supervisor (if the other supervisor is willing to commit) for financial reasons if the department is ok with it. Just be respectful when you break the news to the current supervisor. If your research is going to be on a same topic, you can ask your current supervisor to co-supervise or to join your dissertation committee. That way, your current supervisor does not end up feeling like he/she wasted time and resources on you. 

[ShogunT]

Changing PhD advisor is a big decision. Because you did not give enough information, I list some possible questions to ponder over.

1) What is the policy of changing advisor/ co-advisor in your department? Many departments have clearly written policy that PhD students are eligible to, at lest one time in the program, change advisor or adopt a co-advisor without any problem, and the students are protected from any possible retaliation caused by the former advisor. But you will definitely burn some bridges if you decide to fire your advisor and adopt another one for funding reason.

2) How stable is the funding given by your potential advisor that you current want to switch to? Does it have a long-term guarantee funding for you? If you just respond to the call of money, there is a chance that you may end up switching to another advisor if the funding from the potential advisor dries up or is terminated in the worst case scenario.

3) Does the new research topic that has funding interests you or it is just for getting more stipend?

4) How is your relationship with to current advisor going? Is he/she caring for you? How is the research topic with him/her you are doing (good or bad)?

5) How many years have you been in your PhD program? If you have to switch to another research topic with the new advisor, how many year do you think it will set you back?

After answering those questions, we may continue to evaluate the pro and con of your decision.

[SAhmed]

Well, to be honest I'm about to start this fall so I  don't know the policy of the university and I haven't started any work with my current supervisor. I have heard from of the students with him that he is flexible and supportive in everything except when it come to money. The other professors seem to have a constant funding, but from what I've heard that they tend to be abusive when it comes to other matters. The topic that I am thinking of is a cross over topic (communication systems and power systems) so there is no problem in switching. 

 

[ShogunT]

14 hours ago, SAhmed said:

Well, to be honest I'm about to start this fall so I  don't know the policy of the university and I haven't started any work with my current supervisor. I have heard from of the students with him that he is flexible and supportive in everything except when it come to money. The other professors seem to have a constant funding, but from what I've heard that they tend to be abusive when it comes to other matters.

@SAhmed: that's the common situation in academia. The Profs with funding (from research grants, private funds, etc.) are bound to complete their research proposals that got their money. Therefore, they tend to be kind of pushy and very demanding when it comes to get the job done. Moreover, many of those rich guys don't have much time for their grad students. It is also tricky if you follow the funding without knowing exactly the working/management style of the potential advisor you want to be switching to. Other Profs, usually one with tenure or full professorship, are more laid back and can give you their attention and caring, but they may not have much money at their disposal.

Have you promised or signed anything with the current advisor? Do you have full funding for at least one semester/quarter with the current supervisor?

[knp]

Is it not a generally good idea to avoid working with anybody you already describe as abusive?

[SAhmed]

Well, still I have not made any promises or signed anything.

Moreover, I'm self funded, and I have the amount for a year. 

[ShogunT]

4 hours ago, SAhmed said:

Well, still I have not made any promises or signed anything.

Moreover, I'm self funded, and I have the amount for a year. 

If you can funding yourself in the first year, it is a little bit easier for you. I think you can go ahead and talk to your "current" supervisor that if he/she gives you some sort of funding, then you will work for him/her. Otherwise, ask him/her to let your work under that one's supervision for a year without funding. During the first year, you can look for someone else.

When you arrive to the university, you can even talk to many professors in your prospective department including the one you refer to as being abusive to see if there is any chance of funding opportunity.

You also need to consider the worst case scenario that there is no professors with funding that you want to work with, and your pocket may dry up before you can find a funding source.

Btw, have you considered to forfeit this admission cycle, spend a year to improve your profile and apply again hoping for a stable funding offer?

There are lot of things to ponder when getting an admission with no funding. Really sorry!

 

Good luck!