#012 When Your Supervisor Won't Back You

When Your Supervisor Won't Back You

I received a message this week from ‘O’, who's transitioning out of academia but facing a problem: his supervisor isn't supporting the move.

No reference. No backing. Nothing.

This resonated because it's far more common than people discuss publicly. The supervisor-student relationship can break down. Projects don't work out. Personalities clash. Academic politics intervene.

And suddenly you're trying to move forward with one hand tied behind your back.

In academia, we've built a system that gives enormous power to individual supervisors. It’s the nature of guru-disciple model. One person's opinion can feel like it determines your entire future. Team supervision should really be the norm, and whilst we’re seeing more of this, it’s still heavily focused on the 1-1 tutorial approach.

Build a reference network beyond your supervisor

Your second supervisor matters. So do external examiners, teaching coordinators, collaborators on papers, people you've presented alongside at conferences. These aren't "backup" references - they're legitimate voices who can speak to different aspects of your capability.

Most selection committees understand that a PhD student or postdoc has multiple professional relationships. They don't expect every reference to come from the primary supervisor.

Let your outputs do the talking

Publications carry weight. Conference presentations demonstrate communication skills. Teaching evaluations show your ability to explain complex ideas. Grant applications prove you can make a case for funding.

These things exist independent of your supervisor's opinion. List them. Highlight them. Let them speak for themselves. The reference then becomes validation and procedural rather than the deal maker.

Frame your narrative carefully

Unless it’s the end of the PhD or a fixed term post - you'll need to explain why you're moving on. Keep it professional and forward-looking.

"I'm seeking new challenges" works better than "my supervisor and I disagreed."

"I'm exploring opportunities beyond my current project" is more effective than detailing every frustration.

You're not lying. You're being diplomatic. There's a difference.

Use modern tools

LinkedIn recommendations from peers and collaborators are visible and credible. They supplement traditional references effectively.

A strong online presence showing your work, your thinking, and your professional network demonstrates capability in ways a single reference letter cannot. Again, it won’t replace the reference entirely - but it renders it less significant.

Be prepared for direct questions

If an interview panel asks about your supervisor relationship, brief honesty beats elaborate stories.

"We had different visions for the research direction" is sufficient.

"The working relationship became challenging" explains enough.

Then redirect to what you learned and what you're looking for next. Reflecting and learning is important here. I learned a lot more from. ‘bad’ bosses than ‘good’ ones.

The Bigger Picture

Selection committees aren't naive. They've been around academia long enough to know that supervisor relationships can be complicated. They're looking at your capability, your potential, and your fit for their role.

One person's lack of support is data they'll consider - but it's not the only data.

What This Means

A difficult supervisor relationship is an obstacle. It makes things harder. It requires you to build alternative evidence of your capability.

But it's not a barrier. It doesn't define your worth. It doesn't determine your future.

Thousands of researchers have moved forward successfully despite unsupportive supervisors. You can too.

The key is recognising that academic success isn't about one person's approval - it's about demonstrating capability through multiple channels.

Build those channels. Use them strategically. Move forward anyway.

To ‘O’ and everyone else facing this:

Your supervisor's lack of support is their decision. Your response to it is yours.

Choose to build alternative evidence. Choose to frame your narrative professionally. Choose to keep moving forward.

The path might be more complicated than you wanted, but it's still open.

Resources & Next Steps

If you're interested in temporary research/AI roles - highly paid:

I've been working with Mercor on positions for PhD students and researchers. Many of my readers have found these valuable for bridging funding gaps or gaining industry experience. If you're interested, applications take 15-20 minutes: https://work.mercor.com/?referralCode=6578187f-cfd6-41b3-84a4-0d34eeeac960&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=platform_referral

For institutional workshops: If you work at a university or research institution and believe your students would benefit from training on career development or research strategy, I offer bespoke workshops tailored to your institution's needs.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iain-jackson — or simply reply to this email.

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Thanks for reading. See you next time.

Iain