First Day in Lab

[JmanDO]

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So I'm going to be starting a combined program and I was wondering what it was like for most people starting in a new lab, even if just on rotation.

My old lab was great, a close knit bunch and I could ask questions, etc whenever. What I'm most worried about is being stuck in a lab where I'm just given a list of jobs to do, some of which I might not know how to do, and not being able to communicate. I worry about this because of the notion that mudphuds are supposed to be genius students who don't need instruction.

I suppose I just worry about not being able to do brand new work b/c I don't understand it fully at the get-go, and not being able to ask for help in the beginning. I don't want to be thrown into something without instruction, and looked down upon for not getting it right away.

 

[dmblue]

So you are worried about not being able to communicate? Why?

No lab will think you will not need some instruction at the beginning. However, you will likely be responsible for figuring out some things on your own by reading articles/ textbooks.

Don't stress and don't be embarrassed about asking questions.

 

[JmanDO]

Some labs are so populated that new members only have access to senior postdocs or even mere doc students. That environment wouldn't work well for me.

I have no problem doing some background reading but I don't want to feel like I am being thrown in the lions den, at least not on the first day.

 

[dmblue]

It most likely won't feel like they are throwing you into the lions den. In the event that it does seem like that, you will recover in a few days.

The reason you do rotations is to learn about the lab and the techniques they use. They know you don't have your PhD already and are going to be inexperienced with their protocols/techniques.

You just need to relax. There is absolutely no reason to fret about this, because regardless of if you are worried it's going to happen either way.

 

[MDPhDyeah]

JmanDO

It sounds like you have already chosen a mentor, but for future reference:

The potential situation you are describing is that of working for a very large group of a well-established professor. This is just a generalization, but will be true much of the time. If you're someone who likes to keep to themselves, and work things out on your own (it sounds like you are not) then this is generally going to be the best group for you. The reward for this type of independence is typically having more freedom in what you do and choose to pursue.

If you want significant 1 on 1 interaction with your PI then you should probably focus on groups that are small and run by new professors (terrified about not being tenured and actually working in the lab). While it is nice to be able to work with your PI, they will be well aware of what you are doing in lab and when you are doing it. However, they may be breathing down your neck to get results as well...

Okay so these are basically the two extremes. Figure out which side better suits you and begin trying to find someone who will match you well. The truth is that there are plenty of groups that are a good mix of these two sides.

 

[JmanDO]

That is what it boils down to. My undergrad PI is a well-established and very personable, awesome guy to work with. I can only hope to be as lucky in choosing my next, and seeing how rotations go.

Would you guys mind sharing a bit of what your first rotation was like and how you made the decision regarding which lab to stick with?

 

[Freak]

I based my decision on the following factors:

Time to graduation
Papers/Student
Lab Environment
Money (Grants)

 

[Ariodant]

Relax, it's just a rotation, the purpose of which is to evaluate the lab on all the worries you mentioned. Most PIs won't pay as much attention to rotation students as they would their graduate students, but you will have the chance to bond with postdocs, observe the lab dynamics, talk to current/previous students, etc. By the end, you'll know if this is "it". I agree with Break on the list of factors, but above all that, both you and your lab have to really feel like you belong there.

 

[URHere]

Your research rotations are really a time for you to test drive a lab (and vice versa). There are many types of PIs: some will always be in the background, supervising and looming, while others will give you almost complete independence. The important thing is to know which type of PI is more ideal for you - do you need someone who will constantly check in with you to make sure that you aren't foundering or do you need someone who will give you a broad project and let you decide how to handle it?

Once you know what you want out of a mentor, the best advice I can give you is to find someone who fits that picture and makes you feel comfortable in lab. Yes, graduation time and publication records are important, but those should be things you consider before even stepping foot in lab. As I said before, rotation time is about finding the right fit for you.

To address some of your specific concerns about lack of guidance, very few students I know have found that to be the case. In my personal experience, labs don't expect MD/PhD students to be geniuses (on the coutrary, I actually had one lab sigh and peg me as a "foot in both ponds" type before I had even started), but they do expect you to be motivated. You are not an undergrad trailing along behind a postdoc and waiting for someone to instruct you. You will most likely discuss a project with a mentor and then go off on your own to delve into it. This doesn't mean that you can't ask for help - if you need to use a technique you are unfamiliar with, by all means ask someone to show you the ropes - but always do your research and try to figure things out independently before asking someone else to handle things for you.

Some advice? When you have your rotation project in hand, research the heck out of it. Once you know the field, if you need help then schedule a meeting with your mentor (or others who know the field) to discuss what you've learned and what you still need to figure out. Then repeat this process until the job is done.