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[flaminhippoParasite]

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Hey all,

A ). Any further insight is much appreciated

 

[SweetBurger]

Sounds like opportunity 1 is the better option in terms of pay, institution, and possibility for career progression and where your heart is at.

Secondarily, I would try to find more research outside of just working in the lab if you are really oriented in trying to continue in academia and furthermore if you are trying to generate publications quickly you should consider more clinical research rather than bench research.

 

[mrbreakfast]

Opportunity 1:
Summer work caring, cleaning, working with mice (would assume basically a animal tech). At a Cambridge MRC center and getting paid £18000 for ~36hr/week for 2-3 months. Only offered to friends and family of certain faculty (so would assume it's not slave labour/is quite good)

If that pay is correct (~£50/hour?), what you are doing doesn't matter. The experience on your resume won't hurt, but I'd tell you to pick opportunity 1 even if you were mopping floors. Assuming you aren't independently wealthy, the difference between the two opportunities is insignificant compared to the opportunity to invest this sum of money at age 19.

Besides, at that pay, opportunity 1 is clearly a nepotistic position and I'm sure whoever you'd be working with would write you a glowing letter of recommendation regardless of your performance.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Realistically, I don't think either of these are going to be earth-shattering experiences in terms of boosting your residency application. Very basic duties such as "handling" animals almost certainly will not lead to publication as you have no academic input into any of the projects. It may indeed give you some skills that are useful if in the future you pursue basic science research, but I don't see a path for this to lead to publication and definitely not over 2-3mo.

As mentioned by others, there may be other valid reasons for pursuing opportunity 1. But I wouldn't do it with the thought that it's going to help your residency app.