Asking for lab research position from current PI?

[OrangeCaramel]

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I'm currently working on a public health manuscript with my PI from summer 2014. We were just rejected from our first choice journal, and we have lots of edits for our paper.

I'm looking for a lab position this semester (upcoming spring 2015), and I'm pretty sure that my current PI doesn't have a lab since he's so busy with teaching, advocacy, working at the free clinic, etc. I'm wondering if there is any tactful way of asking my current PI if he knows anybody that needs an undergrad in their lab? I want to continue with my current PI, but since we are now in the final stages of submitting a manuscript, there isn't much work going on anyway. I don't want to seem like I don't appreciate my PI, because he is very influential locally. I also want to continue working with him on other public health stuff later (like maybe this summer), but I want to take a more involved research position, something I don't think my PI can offer.

Any ideas on how to ask? I have a feeling he knows SOMEBODY with lab.

EDIT: I think I'd be okay with clinical research too, but I'm thinking: I should get involved with lab research earlier since it probably requires more technical skills than clinical (would appreciate advice on this too)

 

[Ophthoseidon]

Just be truthful. Let him know that there isn't much going on as of right now. Maybe he'll have something in store for you since you are only pretty sure he doesn't have a lab. Just let him know you'd like to do some work and if he doesn't currently have anything, ask if he knows anyone who does.

 

[TREDWISE]

I'm currently working on a public health manuscript with my PI from summer 2014. We were just rejected from our first choice journal, and we have lots of edits for our paper.

I'm looking for a lab position this semester (upcoming spring 2015), and I'm pretty sure that my current PI doesn't have a lab since he's so busy with teaching, advocacy, working at the free clinic, etc. I'm wondering if there is any tactful way of asking my current PI if he knows anybody that needs an undergrad in their lab? I want to continue with my current PI, but since we are now in the final stages of submitting a manuscript, there isn't much work going on anyway. I don't want to seem like I don't appreciate my PI, because he is very influential locally. I also want to continue working with him on other public health stuff later (like maybe this summer), but I want to take a more involved research position, something I don't think my PI can offer.

Any ideas on how to ask? I have a feeling he knows SOMEBODY with lab.

EDIT: I think I'd be okay with clinical research too, but I'm thinking: I should get involved with lab research earlier since it probably requires more technical skills than clinical (would appreciate advice on this too)

It's not "lab" research, it's "bench" research. Why do you feel like you have to do bench research? Why do you feel like you have to do both?

Just ask them whether they know anyone who is looking to hire someone? Unless you're looking to volunteer, then typically that's not considered a lab research "position." In any case, it's not rude to ask.

It's quite curious that you don't know whether your PI has a lab...

 

[hoihaie]

just ask him his opinion about bench research, and if he says they are good and important, then ask him if he knows how you can get your feet wet in them and if he knows anyone that can offer that experience