Rumor that my advisor is leaving in December

[keweenawlove]

Soooo… I’m just starting my 3rd year of a PhD program. My advisor is older (maybe 63). I just heard it through the grapevine (creditable sources but still a “this person side this” thing) that he’s planning on leaving the university in December to move to Boston. His daughter lives out there and is expecting his first grandchild. I don’t know how panicked I should be yet. I know the obvious answer is not to worry until he says something officially but I can’t help but worry.

I’m hoping worst case scenario is that I end up doing a lot of conference calls with him to get finished up but still slightly freaked out. He’s PI on a grant that’s funded through 2015 which is also what’s paying my salary. He’s also the director for the entire lab and the lab itself isn’t going anywhere. Anyone have any words of wisdom to share?

[cahabalily]

One of my friends here lost her adviser in the middle of her 4th year (PhD) because his tenure package wasn't approved (here, when tenure isn't approved, it means you're fired). Her money is still coming in, the department chair is taking over as chair of her committee, and she isn't going to be slowed down one bit.

You'll be fine!

[Deleted]

If you're just finishing your second year, I'd imagine that you'll need to get a new adviser.

[cahabalily]

Have you taken candidacy exams yet? If so, then you might be okay, but RBP is right - it will depend on how far along you are in your program, i.e. - have you finished coursework, defended your proposal, taken exams..

[keweenawlove]

I'm through my qualifier. I'm supposed to do my comps (proposal defense) this fall. I've got 2 classes left to take. We know who will be taking over as director of the lab. We just thought it wouldn't be for another 3-4 years. He's currently working for the lab and advising the new students that come in. I'm not sure how it works once I declare a committee. It’s good to hear your friend was able to switch no problem. I think it will also depend of if my advisor is officially leaving the university or staying on as affiliated faculty or something (he hasn’t taught in the department in years). Blah! All this stuff I want to ask him but I can’t just walk in to his office and ask based on office gossip.

[Deleted]

Breathe. It will be fine. PIs leave all the time.

[aurora]

This is actually pretty common, and universities will absolutely find an arrangement that will suit the student to enable his or her success. The most common solutions are for the PI to maintain an adjunct or similar position at the home university and remain at least a co-advisor, for the grant to be turned over to another PI at the university (who would then become the advisor), or for the PI to invite the student to come with him/her to the new university. Obviously the last one only happens if the student is interested in moving.

[Deleted]

Or you can always join a new group and have a two-part dissertation.

[aurora]

One additional follow-up: universities have a very strong interest in enabling the success of their PhD students. It would look really bad for them to lose students in a transition such as this, so if they have any sense at all they will be working with you to find a good solution (assuming the rumor is even true!).

[keweenawlove]

May 22, 2012 9:43:19 GMT -5 @redbellpeppers said:

Breathe. It will be fine. PIs leave all the time.

Ha! Thanks. I'm sure it's happened before. And I know the lab and the department aren't going anywhere.

It's a slow day for me here (waiting on manuscript edits) so I've been thinking about it more that I should.

[atouchofklasse]

Unless your PI is a total jerk, I'm sure he/she has a plan to keep you and the other members of your lab employed and on track. I wouldn't be worried.

[keweenawlove]

May 22, 2012 10:06:21 GMT -5 atouchofklasse said:

Unless your PI is a total jerk, I'm sure he/she has a plan to keep you and the other members of your lab employed and on track. I wouldn't be worried.

I dont' think he is A couple weeks ago, he just commented that he's really happy with the work I've been doing.

[drloretta]

If there's already a new lab director, the transition may be much easier than you thought. GL!

[allez]

I'm sure that things will be fine. It sounds like your lab has things prepared for the eventual transition.

[5thofjuly]

My advisor left after my master's. Another committee member at the university agreed to co-chair my entire doctoral process with her, though she was co-chair in name only. My original advisor remained, except for signing purposes, my advisor. We just worked a lot through email and phone calls. It worked out fine, I promise