Research Position Interview

[Shirafune]

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So tomorrow I have an interview with a postdoc and a graduate student for an undergraduate lab position. I will be a junior this fall and am trying to find a new lab. I have a year of experience and 3rd authorship on a paper that will be soon submitted. I am relocating because I want to be more productive in lab (my current lab has slowed down tremendously and I don't see work picking up anytime soon). Basically, I'm bored as friggggg.

Anyways, how appropriate is to ask the following questions/let them know about my intentions:

1) I'm interested in applying MD/PhD in the future. I would like to be published one more time before I apply, at whatever level of authorship.
2) I want to be involved in experimental planning/have an independent project in the future.
3) I'm in an awkward position with my old lab. (I told my PI that I wanted to explore new options. He gave me the okay and thanked me for letting him know. A few days after I sent out my emails requesting a lab spot, he sits me down and asks me not to leave because I was valuable.) I like my current lab, but not I'm not staying at the cost of my education.

Also on a sidenote, do you address your PI as Dr. so-and-so or by his/her first name? I always called my PI by his first name just because my postdoc mentor told me to and because the PI didn't seem to mind. Just wondering if it's common for undergrads to address their PI by their first name.

 

[Kochanie]

You seem a lot more experienced than me, but:
2. I wouldn't mention wanting to be published, might come off in the wrong way.
3. I would say that you let your old PI that you were looking for other labs and that he gave you the okay and not the part where he begged you to stay.

Dr. XXXX for sure, he'll might eventually tell you to just call him by his first name, but at first you can't assume anything.

 

[Shirafune]

You seem a lot more experienced than me, but:
1. I wouldn't mention wanting to be published, might come off in the wrong way.
3. I would say that you let your old PI that you were looking for other labs and that he gave you the okay and not the part where he begged you to stay.

Dr. XXXX for sure, he'll might eventually tell you to just call him by his first name, but at first you can't assume anything.

I think I was actually being slightly misleading. Yes I'm kind of hating my current lab right now. Yes I want to move labs. Yes I really want to get published one more time before applying, but it seems like very very few undergrads have any luck publishing in the basic sciences in my school. I think I would rather stay in my current lab and maybe ask my PI to give me an independent project to work on with weekly meetings, just so I'm not wasting my time by showing up to lab 15 - 20 hours a week and only studying for my MCAT.

Also, I'm probably going to take a break (until the fall) from lab soon so I can really concentrate on the MCAT. I'm taking summer classes and volunteering. Trying to study for the MCAT while doing trivial lab work is not working like I hoped it would.

 

[Spitphire]

I would ask your old PI to let you take on an independent project. He wants you to stay so I can only assume he would give it to you. Best of luck!

 

[Catalystik]

Why not take some initiative and propose a project to your old PI rather than waiting for one to be offered? If you start in a new lab, it will take awhile before they get to know you and trust you enough to function independently. And it will be more difficult to get a strong LOR with a new situation with less time invested overall.

 

[NickNaylor]

Why not take some initiative and propose a project to your old PI rather than waiting for one to be offered? If you start in a new lab, it will take awhile before they get to know you and trust you enough to function independently. And it will be more difficult to get a strong LOR with a new situation with less time invested overall.

This definitely seems like a good idea. A PI asking a student not to leave is something that shouldn't be ignored. Frankly that's pretty impressive. OP, I think you would be better served trying to work it out with your current PI unless you don't think that's possible. Make your goals clear, express your concerns, and see what happens. In a worst case scenario nothing changes. In a best case scenario you get everything you're looking for and will have an even longer relationship with a PI, which will be extremely helpful in your MSTP app should he support you.

 

[bumpbumped]

I agree that you should propose an independent project to your PI. It shows you are taking initiative, and he and other people in the lab can help you figure out how to narrow down the topic if need be and figure out where to begin, etc.

Whether you decide to move onto a new lab or stay in this one is up to you. If this one is a good fit and you get along with the people in it, I would suggest you stay. The lab being "slow" might benefit you. Your PI will have more time to discuss your independent project with you. 😛 If you do decide to move onto a new lab, even if they can give you a good project, it is NOT worth lab members that you might not get along with, whether it be because your PI doesn't really care about you or because your mentor hovers or because personalities clash. You're going to learn a lot more in an environment where you get along with the people.

I believe that it is wise to say your expectations whether it be to your current PI or to a new PI. DO say that you want an independent project (and propose it)! DO say that you want to be published. It's one thing for it to be your first lab experience and for you to say "I want to be published! But I need you to teach me how to pipette!" It's another thing to have some experience and to, therefore, be more serious about your work.