How to switch research labs?

[xal]

Hi,
I tried searching for this already but the threads I found were a little too specific. I'm working in a molecular lab right now but l've found some other labs at my school I'm more interested in. I don't think it's fair to the people in my lab if I keep working in a lab in which I'm not 100% passionate about the subject.
So in general when switching labs are you supposed to apply to different labs first, then talk to the PI when you have a guaranteed position somewhere else, or are you supposed to tell the PI you want to switch before you get a guaranteed position? I don't want to do this behind my PI's back, but I'd also feel weird about continuing to work there if I didn't get a position somewhere else, having told her I wanted to switch...
Thanks! 🙂

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[911 Turbo]

Hi,
I tried searching for this already but the threads I found were a little too specific. I'm working in a molecular lab right now but l've found some other labs at my school I'm more interested in. I don't think it's fair to the people in my lab if I keep working in a lab in which I'm not 100% passionate about the subject.
So in general when switching labs are you supposed to apply to different labs first, then talk to the PI when you have a guaranteed position somewhere else, or are you supposed to tell the PI you want to switch before you get a guaranteed position? I don't want to do this behind my PI's back, but I'd also feel weird about continuing to work there if I didn't get a position somewhere else, having told her I wanted to switch...
Thanks! 🙂

Definately do not tell your PI before you have another job secured!!!


And the whole "I don't think it fair to them because I don't give 100%" thing is not how they are going to see it, at all

Why not just stick it out at the lab?

 

[xcforever]

I wouldn't tell her before getting a for sure job either

 

[hizziaips]

Hi,
I tried searching for this already but the threads I found were a little too specific. I'm working in a molecular lab right now but l've found some other labs at my school I'm more interested in. I don't think it's fair to the people in my lab if I keep working in a lab in which I'm not 100% passionate about the subject.
So in general when switching labs are you supposed to apply to different labs first, then talk to the PI when you have a guaranteed position somewhere else, or are you supposed to tell the PI you want to switch before you get a guaranteed position? I don't want to do this behind my PI's back, but I'd also feel weird about continuing to work there if I didn't get a position somewhere else, having told her I wanted to switch...
Thanks! 🙂

OP, I'm not trying to be harsh, but this sentence sounds to me like a euphemistic, half-hearted attempt at rationalizing your decision to switch. I gather that what you really mean is, "The work is boring, and I'm not giving the project my best effort." At the very least, you owe the current research team your best effort, regardless of whether or not the project is exciting.

To answer your question: No, don't tell your current PI that you are looking elsewhere. Do be prepared to give your current project due notice if you decide to switch. (Leaving a project abruptly without extenuating circumstances can burn bridges.) Also be prepared to explain to your new would-be lab why you want to switch, and ask yourself what you will do if the work there doesn't turn out to be as interesting as you initially thought.

Best of luck.

 

[Josh7]

I think honesty is always the best policy in these cases. Recently I had to quit one of my jobs because I was offered a job that I will be much more interested in (TAing). Yes, it was an awkward and uncomfortable situation when I quit but I'm glad I gave them the honest situation and I think it helped them understand why I decided to leave.

Definitely make sure you've secured a position at the other lab first though, of course.

 

[xal]

That's true, I should be giving my best effort regardless. I guess the only reason I was thinking of telling her was because the other labs I'm looking at are in the same department, so the professors might talk about things like undergrads they might be hiring. Should I just not mention to them that I'm working in the lab I'm currently in? But I would definitely finish everything I need to before I start at the next lab.

 

[TheShaker]

That's true, I should be giving my best effort regardless. I guess the only reason I was thinking of telling her was because the other labs I'm looking at are in the same department, so the professors might talk about things like undergrads they might be hiring. Should I just not mention to them that I'm working in the lab I'm currently in? But I would definitely finish everything I need to before I start at the next lab.

Just come clean when you get another position. Professors speak to each other and it's not like they'll be in the dark forever. In my opinion, your current PI will be disappointed but will probably not hold anything against you. Pursuing a passion is something to be respected, and I'm sure PIs know what it's like to want to find something you're passionate about.

With that said, I don't think you should go out of your way to find the "perfect" field for you at this stage in the game. You're working in a lab to gain experience in research, not to make any significant contribution to whatever field you're interested in. When I told my professor that I wasn't really that passionate about this field, she just said that it's okay. You come in here to learn how to do research, you can pursue your life's work after you get a PhD (or MD 😛).

 

[Josh7]

That's true, I should be giving my best effort regardless. I guess the only reason I was thinking of telling her was because the other labs I'm looking at are in the same department, so the professors might talk about things like undergrads they might be hiring. Should I just not mention to them that I'm working in the lab I'm currently in? But I would definitely finish everything I need to before I start at the next lab.

Tell the professor when you feel the time is right. Depending on how large your university is I would be surprised if specific undergraduate research assistants come up during conversation so that's really not anything to worry about. Never burn bridges with a past professors though.

 

[MossyFiber]

In my opinion, your current PI will be disappointed but will probably not hold anything against you. Pursuing a passion is something to be respected, and I'm sure PIs know what it's like to want to find something you're passionate about.

PIs care so much less about us wee undergrads than we think they do. =P As long as you do this gracefully I think your PI will totally understand.