Do I switch or stay? Lab choice dilemma

[deleted895369]

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I've been doing research with one lab for a year, but recently was offered a position in another lab. I'm torn on what to do and what will be most beneficial for applications AND for personal growth.

Lab 1:
Pros: I've been involved with this PI for a year now, with one 4th author publication. Since I have done a lot of work over the past year, I will most likely get another publication or two within a few months (probably 2nd/3rd author). This PI also offered me a research assistant position for this school year which pays super well and is very flexible. Extra cash would be great, but I'm not particularly strapped for money right now.
Cons:
I'm not really interested in this research work. Additionally, the PI is very controlling and doesn't offer me any opportunities to pursue my own thoughts and ideas regarding issues. Since the research assistant position is grant-funded, he has already outlined the work that he wants me to accomplish, which basically is busy work.

Lab 2:
Pros: I really like the research work as well as the PI, having had him for multiple classes before. He offered me an unpaid position in his lab, but he offers me significantly more freedom in terms of what to research and gives me opportunities to come up with my own ideas. I feel like this opportunity could help me grow my skills of scientific creativity.
Cons: I will only have one year in this lab (I will be a senior), so I won't have all the work under my belt that will allow me to get publications right away like the first lab. I'm afraid that one year won't be enough to publish meaningful work. Also, by joining this lab I will be losing out on $$$ from the other lab.

Any thoughts are appreciated 🙂

 

[plshelpvanxious]

I guess it depends what your goals are. You have a pub and experience, so you already have something to put on your application. If you want a job, stay with your current lab. If you want to gain a new (maybe more fulfilling) research experience, then join the new lab.

If you switch labs, I'd try to sit down with the PI and talk about specifically what you'll be doing and ask about opportunities for posters/pubs.

 

[Osteosaur]

Consider how you want to spend your time. Do you really want to, briefly, do research you really love? Do you want to notch your belt and make some money before medical school?

It just depends on your priorities. It sounds like the first lab is giving you a more concrete benefit (publications, money) while the other is just a few months to a year to do a project you find cool. It takes a year to get a lab tech up to speed and get research off the ground period. By the time you know what you'll be doing you'll be gone.

Make some money and get another pub or two. If he wants to hire you that's a good LOR also.