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[deleted647690]

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So I'm trying to work in a lab through the NIH. I have been talking with a PI there who seems to be very interested in me.

My question is, should I apply to other labs and other positions for my gap year while I wait for this PI to get back to me?
I'm nervous because I want to be able to apply to other labs if things don't work out for some reason, and I know that the longer I wait, the more likely those positions will fill.
However, it feels kind of weird to me to apply to other labs at the NIH when I sort of already expressed great interest in this PI

 

[TREE TREE]

Of course you can apply to other labs within the NIH. In fact, that's what most ppl do here although they already have a "top choice" lab.

Just don't be too specific (e.g. stating something like I really want to Join X's lab because bla bla bla) in your IRTA application. You should apply to labs outside of the NIH as well, just in case the NIH shows you no love...

 

[Lucca]

NIH also funds extramural post-bacc programs. Usually they are called PREP or something. That could be another option. I'm in much the same position as you.

 

[Go4Doc]

The IRTA program is awesome because rather than applying to labs, the PIs are actually actively perusing the database of applicants if they have space in their labs. If you have a solid resume and choose your keywords right, you will literally receive emails asking to interview you.

I applied to IRTA and although I didn't reach out to a single lab personally, I received something like 9 interview invites. While I do realize that I'm an n of 1, I'd say that with your previous experience at the NIH you will almost certainly be approached by other PI's once your application is complete.

 

[deleted647690]

I'm just saying, isn't it a little weird to apply to other labs? I feel like I already expressed so much interest in this guy that I want to return to his lab. It's as if I've sort of 'committed' to him already. I just don't want to get into a situation where I'm telling someone I will be glad to work for them and then just pull out.

 

[aldol16]

Isn't this something you should talk to your PI about? Don't make it seem like you're looking for other options that you would take over his lab but make it clear that since he doesn't know if he can take you on, if he's okay with you applying to several other openings just in case.

 

[deleted647690]

Bumping this up again.

So I talked to the PI, and he won't know until the end of February whether there will be an opening in his lab or not.

I just got an email from a random PI from NIH Rocky Mountain labs in Montana.

How do I approach this?

 

[Go4Doc]

Congrats on the interview invite, I told you they reach out!

Accept the interview. Worst case scenario you get rejected. Best case scenario they offer you a job and you have a choice. While it certainly sounds like staying where you are is the ideal scenario, you lack confirmation. You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't investigate more concrete opportunities.


The one recommendation I'd make is to let the interviewing lab know that you have a tentative job. Something like "I'm interested in your research and I'd consider it an honor to join your lab but I felt obligated to let you know that I have a tentative offer at a different lab which happens to be my first choice. However, as that opportunity has not yet crystallized, I felt that I'd be doing myself a disservice were I not to investigate other employment opportunities."

 

[deleted647690]

Congrats on the interview invite, I told you they reach out!

Accept the interview. Worst case scenario you get rejected. Best case scenario they offer you a job and you have a choice. While it certainly sounds like staying where you are is the ideal scenario, you lack confirmation. You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't investigate more concrete opportunities.


The one recommendation I'd make is to let the interviewing lab know that you have a tentative job. Something like "I'm interested in your research and I'd consider it an honor to join your lab but I felt obligated to let you know that I have a tentative offer at a different lab which happens to be my first choice. However, as that opportunity has not yet crystallized, I felt that I'd be doing myself a disservice were I not to investigate other employment opportunities."

Should I ask them if they'd still be open to letting me come back for their lab if I don't hear good news in late February? Or should I say something like, "I am interested in what your lab is doing, etc. If possible, and if you haven't already found someone for the position, could I reach out to you again in late February if other things don't work out?"

 

[Go4Doc]

Rather than asking them if they'd be open to "letting you come back" phrase it such that you're very interested in their work but if they decide to make you an offer you can't give them a firm answer until the end of February. It'll help if they know your timeline and they'd likely be more willing to extend an offer if they know when they can expect an answer. PI's, just like us, hate to be left hanging.

 

[deleted647690]

Rather than asking them if they'd be open to "letting you come back" phrase it such that you're very interested in their work but if they decide to make you an offer you can't give them a firm answer until the end of February. It'll help if they know your timeline and they'd likely be more willing to extend an offer if they know when they can expect an answer. PI's, just like us, hate to be left hanging.

The new lab is a clinical lab.
After looking more into the research of this lab that has contacted me, I found that the PI is really high up. I won't give specifics, but this PI is in a very high position within the NIH. The person that contacted me is a staff scientist in the lab. Do you think this prestige factor is worth considering? I think how it worked was that my boss reported to a higher up PI, but I'm not sure how it works in this lab.

Would this prestige factor be enough that I should consider working here?

 

[Go4Doc]

Honestly since both are at the NIH, the difference is fairly negligible. Unless this new PI is a nobel laureate or something, what matters most is which do you like the most? If you're pre-MD/PhD I'd recommend the more clinical lab if it allows you to interact with human subjects. While clinical research isn't usually counted as a clinical experience, the way my lab is set up, I also get to shadow my PI as she meets with the patients before we start the research. Also an interview gives you a chance to find out a bit more about the structure of the lab and see how closely you'll actually work with the PI which can determine whether or not you'll get a letter of rec from the PI or the scientist who contacted you.

Also, the most important aspect of any research experience is the quality of letter of recs you receive and your ability to articulate what you did, why you did it, and what you learned. Adcoms realize that not everyone gets the chance to work with a giant in their chosen field of study. Therefore they level the playing field by looking at how you've changed after coming out the other side. One thing of note however, is that bigger names usually get bigger money which can translate into a wider variety of projects and cool new lab toys.

So in short, I really don't have a concrete answer for you except from this: don't let prestige alone sway you one way or the other. Rather, think how you might fit, what you might learn, and how you might grow from each of the two opportunities.