6
686269
I am an undergrad who is interested in participating in research. Should I aim to work for a Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, or Lecturer? Does it matter? Thanks!
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2012
- Messages
- 7,691
- Reaction score
- 13,035
As long as they are faculty and have a PhD/equivalent, you're generally fine
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2014
- Messages
- 405
- Reaction score
- 333
Doesn't matter. Only time where I could say it matters is if the person reading your app personally knows the person who you did research with. This is more likely if your PI is a big name person (so most likely a full-fledged professor).
Outside of this, I can't see it mattering much - what is MUCH more important is your PI being a nice, genuine person who is willing to be a mentor for you (not just treating you like a workhorse).
That being said, it may be unfortunate if you work with an assistant professor, and then after a couple years, he/she does not get tenure... you might get left out in the cold and have to find a new PI in that case... just do your research and find someone you're interested in!
Outside of this, I can't see it mattering much - what is MUCH more important is your PI being a nice, genuine person who is willing to be a mentor for you (not just treating you like a workhorse).
That being said, it may be unfortunate if you work with an assistant professor, and then after a couple years, he/she does not get tenure... you might get left out in the cold and have to find a new PI in that case... just do your research and find someone you're interested in!
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2011
- Messages
- 1,870
- Reaction score
- 1,406
Assistant Professors have not yet gone up for tenure. Associate and (full) Professors have.
The differences between them are not really important for premed. Yes, assistant professors may not get tenure, but you shouldn't be there longer than 2-3 years as a premed anyway.
The differences between them are not really important for premed. Yes, assistant professors may not get tenure, but you shouldn't be there longer than 2-3 years as a premed anyway.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2014
- Messages
- 194
- Reaction score
- 169
The PI's title won't make significant difference for your future application.
The lab to look for:
supporting environment, the PI or other lab members are willing to teach and mentor;
conduct research projects align with your passion and interest;
offer novel techniques (gene editing, stem cell, etc.)
The lab to look for:
supporting environment, the PI or other lab members are willing to teach and mentor;
conduct research projects align with your passion and interest;
offer novel techniques (gene editing, stem cell, etc.)
