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Is it career suicide for a Phd student to have an older supervisor (50s) who isn't even an associate professor?
Note I'm looking at doing a Phd in maths.
Note I'm looking at doing a Phd in maths.
Choppy said:It's a flag if the supervisor doesn't have a permanent academic position - not "suicidal" (not sure why it's necessary to be so dramatic) though.
Concerns that you might want to look further into:
- What experience does this person have in the field in the first place? Has he or she published in it?
- Does the supervisor have funding for the project?
- What are the odds this person will leave over the next 4-6 years?
- How many previous graduate students has this person graduated? (Being the first isn't necessarily bad, but you will be a guinea pig.)
- Who else will be on your supervisory committee? This can be a big thing. If the supervisor is inexperienced, its nice to have someone/others on your committee who have been around the block a few times to point out any pitfalls your supervisor may not be aware of.
- What connections does this person have for afterwards?
micromass said:For example, something I've seen happening is somebody doing research in applied mathematics and having a supervisor who works in industry. The usually have a second (more distant) supervisor who is tied to the university though. So no, in that sense it is pretty normal I think. So we really need you to elaborate a lot more.
Asteropaeus said:You mean cosupervisor/copromoter?
If someone is not a professor, she/he isn't allowed to supervise a promotion. What country are we talking about?
And indeed, if that person doesn't have a permanent position, there is the risk she/he leaves.
tgt said:Would it be a bit rude to ask the supervisor about their connections before even starting a Phd with them?
Vanadium 50 said:this is the same person whose backup plan was to be the next Einstein.
It means that your supervisor has not yet achieved the rank of associate professor at their university. This could be because they are a newer faculty member or because they have not yet met the requirements for promotion.
No, the rank of your supervisor does not necessarily reflect their ability to guide and mentor you in your research. It is more important to consider their experience, knowledge, and expertise in your field of study.
If you have concerns about your supervisor's rank, it is best to discuss them with your department or program director. They may be able to provide more context and guidance on how to address any issues.
Yes, a non-associate professor can still be a great PhD supervisor. It is important to remember that rank does not always correlate with teaching and research abilities. Focus on finding a supervisor who is knowledgeable and supportive in your field of study.
In addition to their rank, it is important to consider a supervisor's experience, expertise, availability, and communication style. It is also helpful to speak with their current and former students to get a sense of their mentoring and supervision style.