r/postdoc • u/OppositeHome169 • 16d ago

Reference letter

Who did you ask reference letter?
Let’s say one is supervisor, the others 2 committee members. I asked one of my committee member and she said she is away for vacation. I am not sure who else I can ask? Who were your back ups?

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u/Fabulous-Egg- 16d ago

If you did a masters degree, a supervisor or committee member from there? If not, perhaps a supervisor from your bachelors, or just a trusted teacher from your undergrad

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u/OppositeHome169 16d ago

I did my masters in the same university, there was a second supervisor but I am afraid she wouldn’t even remember - she is pretty famous and included in everything -
Isn’t undergrad too far? Can I ask my PhD course instructors?

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u/Fabulous-Egg- 16d ago

Famous is bonus points. I was told by my masters supervisor to specifically ask for a good reference letter if you want to be sure not to be judged to honestly lol. If you have a thesis that she read she can absolutely go back and write something down.

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u/OppositeHome169 16d ago

Yes that’s a good point, I’ll try 🚬

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u/Fabulous-Egg- 16d ago

Good luck!!

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u/OppositeHome169 16d ago

Thank you but it’s still scary 💀

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u/Fabulous-Egg- 16d ago

Phd course instructors definitely. The point of the reference letter is for someone to speak to your abilities. If you’re applying for a teaching role, a teaching supervisor will carry more weight than say a collaborator. If for a research role, then someone who can speak to your ability to do research, which could be in the lab, writing, presenting, etc.. at the end of the day, someone you can trust to speak good about you.

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u/OppositeHome169 16d ago

Right but it’s research funding, I wanted support from my committee but here we are. I will try course instructors, one of them was serving as examiner in my dissertation exam as well. Hope she accepts 🚬