I am facing a dilemma (kind of)....I have been in a small (like 4 postdocs + me) basic science lab for 2.5 yrs but because it was new + bad organization, I haven't done much the first 1 yr. Last year, we got a new lab manager and basically the lab manager (a PhD) told me that he could write me a really good LOR even though he was not my PI. I originally was planning on asking my PI but I don't know if he will write me a strong LOR b/c we don't communicate as much since he is always in the clinic or OR. I am debating whether to ask my PI, lab manager, or both for LOR when I apply. I am also afraid if I do not ask my PI for LOR, he will be offended and I would rather leave things on a good note when I leave the lab.
Also, my PI knows I help out a lot and perform my responsibilities with 110% effort but I don't communicate w/him as much as I do w/my lab manager. Furthermore, even though I have been in this lab for a long time, I have not actually seen any publications from our lab w/my name on it, although in the very beginning my PI told me he would put my name somewhere. I heard my name was on an abstract to some journal (submit Dec) in our lab but honestly, I have not seen it yet and I don't know if that was true. I know the process of submitting an abstract + accepted abstract --> publication takes a while. I have contributed a lot but I never held my own independent project and mostly worked w/other postdocs. Like a tech role kidn of.
In a way, I feel like I wasted 2.5 yrs here when I could have gone to other bigger adn more productive research labs but I took this lab b/c my PI was a big shot and he was the first person to get back to me freshman year about research. Today I had a talk w/the postdocs and they are very appreciative of what I do but since 2 of them are leaving soon, they left me parting advice basically telling me that being in this lab any longer is not productive and will not guarantee any pubs. Given my effort and work, they told me I should look at other labs and the fact that I have skills will be a plus. I already plan on leaving this lab after this semester to focus on clinical experience and MCATs so this is kind of late in a way
Sorry if that was long, I would appreciate any advice on what to do from now on. Thanks everyone!
Also, my PI knows I help out a lot and perform my responsibilities with 110% effort but I don't communicate w/him as much as I do w/my lab manager. Furthermore, even though I have been in this lab for a long time, I have not actually seen any publications from our lab w/my name on it, although in the very beginning my PI told me he would put my name somewhere. I heard my name was on an abstract to some journal (submit Dec) in our lab but honestly, I have not seen it yet and I don't know if that was true. I know the process of submitting an abstract + accepted abstract --> publication takes a while. I have contributed a lot but I never held my own independent project and mostly worked w/other postdocs. Like a tech role kidn of.
In a way, I feel like I wasted 2.5 yrs here when I could have gone to other bigger adn more productive research labs but I took this lab b/c my PI was a big shot and he was the first person to get back to me freshman year about research. Today I had a talk w/the postdocs and they are very appreciative of what I do but since 2 of them are leaving soon, they left me parting advice basically telling me that being in this lab any longer is not productive and will not guarantee any pubs. Given my effort and work, they told me I should look at other labs and the fact that I have skills will be a plus. I already plan on leaving this lab after this semester to focus on clinical experience and MCATs so this is kind of late in a way
Sorry if that was long, I would appreciate any advice on what to do from now on. Thanks everyone!