How to politely free myself of students

[iateallthecheesecake]

Hi all, long time lurker with NC - so apologies if I say something wrong. This may be a long one

I'm at the end of my first year of a laboratory science PhD, and as much as I've loved most of it, I have had a lot of problems with students. it's worth mentioning I'm seconded to undertake this PhD and have a return date to another profession which is fixed, so my time is limited.

In my third month my second supervisor, let's call her Debbie, informed me we were getting a BSc student and she was to work on my project and would be around PT for the next six months. I stated my concerns of having no experience with teaching, also having not quite worked out my project and priorities yet. This was responded with 'you can put her Data in your thesis' and 'itlll be a good experience for you and your CV'.
Debbie, a very accomplished and knowledgeable person, no longer works in the laboratory so wouldn't be able to supervise her in the lab.
The post doc in our group refused students, and long story short - this BSc student finished and all through it was a slight shit show. She didn't have defined project aims (Debbie would change them week on week) and did the best she could despite my best efforts at teaching and explaining. There were multiple times I had to be in late with the student as she was (understandably) slow, and it's against regs for her to be in the lab alone. The rest of our group, were not only unsupportive of her, but also of me, any mistake the student made was my failing etc.

Anyway, after my UG student, I asked Debbie if I could have a break from students as it had taken so much of my time I was neglecting my own work. She initially agreed, but then accepted a master's student who will be here full time for 6 months. There is noone else to look after this student. Debbie is expecting I teach this new student some of my methods in the lab.

Further to this, Debbie has accepted an undergraduate summer student from an external institution who will be here for 8 weeks. Again there is nobody else to look after this student.

I made my concerns about not making progress in my own studies very clear, but was told by Debbie it is expected of me to have students.

So at the moment I'm teaching 2 students my lab methods, and even though I can leave them to do parts alone now, I'm constantly interrupted so it's very difficult to get anything meaningful done. Also as our lab is already overcrowded, other members of the group are becoming hostile towards me and how much space and time the students use.

Debbie knows I'm unhappy with the situation but is still sure it's a good experience for me and I can put the students data in my thesis. However neither of their projects are directly the same as mine.

I'm coming to the end of my tether and looking for some advice.

I have tried getting in contact with the graduate tutors, but have been ignored for 3 weeks by 2 different tutors.

I could talk to my first supervisor, however I'm worried she'll think I'm weak for not managing it all or rude for talking about Debbie behind her back. She's a very busy person and I would have to email her not meet in person.

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, What would you do?

[QuinionsRainbow]

While it might be expected of you to "have students", as a first-year post-graduate research student, it's certainly not reasonable for you to have more than one at any time, nor to have an unbroken succession of them.

Have you flagged this up with the organisation who have seconded you for this Ph.D. course? They have a vested interest in seeing that you delliver the goods on schedule..

[NotAnotherJaffaCake]

Big girl pants on and start saying no. Don't worry about hurting other people's feelings and start protecting your ability to finish your PhD! Short sharp email to your supervisors, telling them that you won't be doing any more student supervision. Make it their problem again, and point out just how much a student failing to finish a PhD will impact on future doctoral training grants. . Supervising students may be good experience but it's waaay down the list in priorities for someone starting out on a PhD!

Also, for an academic scientist (I am one) you are sounding far too nice.

There is no way a first year PhD student should be supervising anyone, frankly.

[parietal]

is debbie your 2nd supervisor? if so, what does your primary supervisor say? tell him/ her that these students take up so much time that you can't do your own thesis work.