picking between two labs (industry vs academia)

[whiteshadodw]

so i'm def planning to apply MSTP this cycle if not next cycle. but i have been proactively looking for a research positioning and thankfully doors are opening up now. i've graduated so it'll be harder it seems to get positions at a university. however, i'm now stuck in a position with some offers:

-semi interested in an industry position (pay is EXCEPTIONAL, almost 2x more than what i am getting if i went to NIH IRTA postbac). the research is good and its a very successful company but its 100 miles from my family. no pub possibilities (though i think i'm good on this part of my app), everything has to be on the hush hush. however, EXTREMELY nice post docs there, they were too nice, and it was almost sketch how nice they were. not to mention, they sent me an email with an offer 2-3 hours after i left the interview. commute to this place from where i'm living is not my cup of tea. however, if the financial situation is

-NIH irta postbac lab. haven't talked too much to the two possible PIs. but i feel like at an NIH position i can get more feedback on my research through my PI, other people, conferences, etc etc. the pay is...well....let's just say i'm getting about half of what i'll be getting at the industry position. the labs are in the same city as my family, and so i'd live with them.

-volunteer position in a lab on campus (non-paid, but the PI might try to get a grant for this). something i'd really like to do, more computational stuff, but i've never tried it before and it could really go either way, i have no computational experience whatsoever. if i didn't do comp stuff, it'd be solid-state NMR struct. determination. i'm a biochemist, and i'd like to continue with it in grad school, the first two positions aren't exactly biochemistry, this is the closest thing.

one thing that's important to me is the PI. my current PI is trying to royally screw me over (despite getting her data for publications). i feel like whatever i do, the best thing to look for would be a PI that cares for their student. in any case, i'd like to hear some advice taking the following into account 1. career advancement, 2. PI, 3. finance

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[nothingman]

one thing that's important to me is the PI. my current PI is trying to royally screw me over (despite getting her data for publications). i feel like whatever i do, the best thing to look for would be a PI that cares for their student. in any case, i'd like to hear some advice taking the following into account 1. career advancement, 2. PI, 3. finance

This is honestly the most important thing - now, and in grad school, as well. Do not fall into the trap of being swayed by "sexy" science if the lab has a record of poor mentorship. I have worked in your field for grad school, and there are numerous bad stories of this - though other fields are not immune either.

Otherwise - I don't think it really matters, as long as you can get a good letter of support. Obviously, doing what you love to do is better than not. One caution with the industry position may be lesser flexibility to take time off for interviews (usually not a problem in academic labs if you're honest up front with them about how long you're planning to stay). MD-PhD interviews can go on for 2-3 days/program, so this can add up in the fall/early winter.

PM me if I can help more.

 

[EaglesPA]

I think that taking all the factors you mention into consideration, I would go for the NIH IRTA postbac lab. It seems to be the one most likely to help with career development and with the MSTP application, it is a paid position (even if not as much as the industry one), location seems to be very convenient and you have a choice of PI.

When you are comparing the financial advantages, don't forget to factor in the extra expense of commuting or having to rent a place if you were to go with the industry position.

 

[Freak]

Depends on what financial hit you can take.

I would vote against industry (no ability to talk about what you do ... probably more useful for a future career, but harder for the admission process).

As to the rest of the options, I would go with the best PI if you have no financial constriants. That will get you the furthest.