Returning to a lab... with no benefits?

[cellochic]

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Hi everyone,

I just wanted some input on a situation. I'm a "future" MD/PhD student still in undergrad. I'll be a junior in the fall.

I worked in a biochem lab freshman year and last summer, but decided to take off this past year to focus on academics. I worked about 20 hours/wk during the year and 50+ during the summer (including weekends) in the lab. I loved the lab and the professor has been asking me to come back for a while. I want to go back in the fall.

This professor isn't tenured, so he pushes publications. He's stopped stopped paying his student on the basis that "he gets more work out of them". I never got paid by him in the first place (I got a fellowship through a research program which paid me) which was quite nice! His take on biochem is it has to consume your life and you have only time for class and lab. I find him just a tad bit biased (aren't we all ) just because I'm a double major, an RA, and I teach elementary school strings during the week.


Has anyone else had similar experiences?
Has anyone done research for pay/credit?
How many hours a week do/did you spend in the lab? Weekends?
How many credits did/are you taking?
ECs?

 

[StIGMA]

It is very uncommon to get paid for research during undergraduate studies. 15-20 hours a week is light, and 50+ over the summer is normal if you are not taking classes. By comparison, I averaged 30-35 hours a week alongside classes for 2 years in my lab, and I only got paid the last summer after I graduated.

If you can find a lab that pays you, great! But you will have to weigh this versus the investment you made in this lab. It is expected as an undergraduate that the training you are obtaining (and hopefully future graduate school position +/- class credit) is fair wage.

 

[calvinNhobbes]

It depends on your undergrad. I got paid every semester and summer I did research at the university minimum wage. One summer I applied for university research award so I would have something to put on apps and it paid an extra 25% or so over the minimum.

But my undergrad has a huge endowment with a special undergrad research program and my PI had several grants to pay me if I didn't get university funds.

EDIT: as far as time commitment. I spent as many hours as it took to get the work done. I had several time sensitive studies that had me going in at odd hours even during nights and weekends, but the actual time spent in lab was probably 15 hours during semesters, and 40 or so during summer. But then I usually had another work study job on top of that. I ended up with two publications for 2.5 years of work.

 

[Drexon]

Has anyone else had similar experiences?
Has anyone done research for pay/credit?
How many hours a week do/did you spend in the lab? Weekends?
How many credits did/are you taking?
ECs?

1) No :'( The PI's I worked for were all fully tenured. But I am aware of the untenured professor.
2) I got units for research every quarter I was in my labs =)
3) Hours varied depending on if I was in a hurry to push for data (I ease up for midterms and finals week but I'm still in lab doing work!). On average I'm in lab between 25+ hours a week. Yes I'm in there on weekends too!
4) usually between 4-5 classes per quarter
5) the "usual" for any premed (clubs, organizations) , school athletics (2 years)

I understand your current situation. Being a double major + RA + teaching elementary kids is a lot of work and responsibility. I've had friends that cut back time with research when they became a RA. I just assumed they just wanted to cut loose for a bit ( they were in their 4th years) and just have fun with their fellow dormates etc.