Lab Dilemma

[Neuronette]

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I am currently doing research at a lab near school and I am very interested in the type of research they do there. Unfortunately, it seems that for the next couple of months or so, the work will be very mundane (repetitive trials and not exactly working on a project either).
Anyhow, the lab is small bc there is only one other lab tech and postdoc and idk why the lab PI is not hiring more people to do the work (I know the lab has the funding to hire more people). I just feel bad for the lab tech who has a huge burden on his shoulders with the amount of work he is doing... Is this typical of labs? Im just feeling a bit confused

 

[CrimsonKing]

Less people PI hires, more money PI pockets?

Perhaps.

 

[galaxyx]

find a friend that needs experience and get them do be "very interested in the PI's work" and maybe he'll hire them too

 

[Plue00]

I am currently doing research at a lab near school and I am very interested in the type of research they do there. Unfortunately, it seems that for the next couple of months or so, the work will be very mundane (repetitive trials and not exactly working on a project either).
Anyhow, the lab is small bc there is only one other lab tech and postdoc and idk why the lab PI is not hiring more people to do the work (I know the lab has the funding to hire more people). I just feel bad for the lab tech who has a huge burden on his shoulders with the amount of work he is doing... Is this typical of labs? Im just feeling a bit confused

Yeah, I was wondering about that too. My lab I just joined has a PI, a post doc, a lab tech and 3 undergraduates (including me). The undergrads and post doc joined at the same time and the lab is only a couple of months old (PI just started the lab). My PI said it was normal for labs that just started up to have few members and after a couple of months, he's going to see how many more people he needs to hire.

 

[Neuronette]

Yeah, I was wondering about that too. My lab I just joined has a PI, a post doc, a lab tech and 3 undergraduates (including me). The undergrads and post doc joined at the same time and the lab is only a couple of months old (PI just started the lab). My PI said it was normal for labs that just started up to have few members and after a couple of months, he's going to see how many more people he needs to hire.

My lab is pretty old...it just needs people. Idk why he isn't hiring more researchers. I dont think a "friend who is interested in research" will be able to work there bc the research requires a lot of technical skills and the lab tech and postdoc do not have the time to train anyone right now...

 

[mcloaf]

I am currently doing research at a lab near school and I am very interested in the type of research they do there. Unfortunately, it seems that for the next couple of months or so, the work will be very mundane (repetitive trials and not exactly working on a project either).
Anyhow, the lab is small bc there is only one other lab tech and postdoc and idk why the lab PI is not hiring more people to do the work (I know the lab has the funding to hire more people). I just feel bad for the lab tech who has a huge burden on his shoulders with the amount of work he is doing... Is this typical of labs? Im just feeling a bit confused

Mundane repetition is part of working in a lab. Sometimes you just have to buckle down and deal with the bull**** to get to the fun stuff.

As for the lab size, some PIs prefer smaller labs. I don't see any positive outcome to you suggesting he hire someone additional.

 

[kami333]

Idk why he isn't hiring more researchers.

the research requires a lot of technical skills and the lab tech and postdoc do not have the time to train anyone right now...

You just answered your own question😛 As mentioned before, it may also be a preference on their part, I’ve been in everything from a 30+ person lab to a PI + 2 tech lab and it’s a very different experience.

When you say he has money, how do you know this and how much do you know? Many larger multi-year grants aren’t like your household budget, you can’t just willy-nilly decide to shift money from animal costs to personnel costs or decide to use 2014 funds in 2013. While they have some flexibility before it becomes an issue but maybe they have other plans since this workload sounds temporary. Plus techs are expensive, after benefits you are looking at $50k+/year even at entry level, postdocs can be cheaper but come with their own costs.

And yes, the bulk of research is very mundane and repetitive.

 

[as1212559]

Wait, a lab where the underlying research concepts are really interesting but the day to day work is awful, mundane, and repetitive?? Where ever did you find such a place?! 🙄