Should I quit research?

[Akk123]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi guys,

I need your guys' advice.
I'm a current 3rd year at a pretty big research university. This is almost coming up to 3 years with this research group... but I want to quit.

First of all.. I use to love my research. My PI is amazing and kind. I usually got to work one on one with the postdocs (we didn't have graduate students ) and they (the two of them) were extremely knowledgeable and willing to teach. My project is super interesting-- and I always can't wait to see what the results are.

However, during my 2nd year, one of the postdocs retired and the other found another job. We got a two new postdocs... and that's where everything went to hell. I work 15 hours a week in research; I don't waste my time and I don't have breaks. I'm a hard workers-- it doesn't mean I don't make mistakes. My postdoc is demeaning and whenever he is stress out-- it always ends up on me. In addition, we gained like 10 undergrads (use to be only 3 or so) who are untrained-- so in addition to my own project, I have to juggle training them.

I still enjoy my project but everything I go to research, it feels like my postdoc is literally chipping away at me-- making disparaging remarks and yelling at me for uncalled things. Just a few weeks ago, he yelled at me for a hour something I didn't do (one of the other undergrads had done it) on my 20th birthday. I don't have the same zeal for research as I did before. I miss my old postdocs badly and wish things could be the way they used to be.

I've gotten published and my PI is also mentioning a first author publication for me (a large carrot to stay... yes I know; However, I don't know how much is true and how much is a ploy to make me stay ).

I'm not a quitter and usually always tough it out in situations like these-- but I feel like I'm losing myself in the process. I don't know how much longer I can do this for.

Thank you ahead of time for reading this post.

 

[•Syzygy•]

You have enough research already - probably too much. 15 hours / week is a lot of time you could be using to add other things to your application to round it out, not to mention using that time to focus on maintaining a good GPA. I see no reason not to quit. You have a publication which is more than most pre meds can say. I wouldn't stay at a job you are unhappy at, just because you *may* get a first author. That sounds like it will require much more time there, and much more unhappiness.

 

[RingBear]

I've kinda sorta been in the same position as you, so I'll throw my 2 cents in.

1) I loved training the newbies in my lab, and thought it was a great experience that I grew from, if this is not the same feeling for you, you could talk to your PI and tell them its not your job but the postdocs job.
2) the first author carrot... I had the same mention, but realistically do you have a grasp on whether there is enough data for that to be possible? In hindsight, I probably should not have used that as motivation
3) If your other necessary pre-med extracurriculars are suffering because of this amount of research, I would be proud of what you accomplished and move on. If the end goal is MD and not MD/PhD you'd be better off using that extra 15 hours a week to boost a different category of your application.

In the end its up to you and your motivations, but if you dont get along with the postdocs I wouldnt stay.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm a current 3rd year at a pretty big research university. This is almost coming up to 3 years with this research group... but I want to quit.

First of all.. I use to love my research. My PI is amazing and kind. I usually got to work one on one with the postdocs (we didn't have graduate students ) and they (the two of them) were extremely knowledgeable and willing to teach. My project is super interesting-- and I always can't wait to see what the results are.

However, during my 2nd year, one of the postdocs retired and the other found another job. We got a two new postdocs... and that's where everything went to hell. I work 15 hours a week in research; I don't waste my time and I don't have breaks. I'm a hard workers-- it doesn't mean I don't make mistakes. My postdoc is demeaning and whenever he is stress out-- it always ends up on me. In addition, we gained like 10 undergrads (use to be only 3 or so) who are untrained-- so in addition to my own project, I have to juggle training them.

I still enjoy my project but everything I go to research, it feels like my postdoc is literally chipping away at me-- making disparaging remarks and yelling at me for uncalled things. Just a few weeks ago, he yelled at me for a hour something I didn't do (one of the other undergrads had done it) on my 20th birthday. I don't have the same zeal for research as I did before. I miss my old postdocs badly and wish things could be the way they used to be.

I've gotten published and my PI is also mentioning a first author publication for me (a large carrot to stay... yes I know; However, I don't know how much is true and how much is a ploy to make me stay ).

I'm not a quitter and usually always tough it out in situations like these-- but I feel like I'm losing myself in the process. I don't know how much longer I can do this for.

You've gotten more than enough out of the current position. It's time to leave. Give proper notice. Ask for a letter from the PI to support your career goal. Move on and develop the rest of your application experiences as diligently.

 

[Goro]

Hi guys,

I need your guys' advice.
I'm a current 3rd year at a pretty big research university. This is almost coming up to 3 years with this research group... but I want to quit.

First of all.. I use to love my research. My PI is amazing and kind. I usually got to work one on one with the postdocs (we didn't have graduate students ) and they (the two of them) were extremely knowledgeable and willing to teach. My project is super interesting-- and I always can't wait to see what the results are.

However, during my 2nd year, one of the postdocs retired and the other found another job. We got a two new postdocs... and that's where everything went to hell. I work 15 hours a week in research; I don't waste my time and I don't have breaks. I'm a hard workers-- it doesn't mean I don't make mistakes. My postdoc is demeaning and whenever he is stress out-- it always ends up on me. In addition, we gained like 10 undergrads (use to be only 3 or so) who are untrained-- so in addition to my own project, I have to juggle training them.

I still enjoy my project but everything I go to research, it feels like my postdoc is literally chipping away at me-- making disparaging remarks and yelling at me for uncalled things. Just a few weeks ago, he yelled at me for a hour something I didn't do (one of the other undergrads had done it) on my 20th birthday. I don't have the same zeal for research as I did before. I miss my old postdocs badly and wish things could be the way they used to be.

I've gotten published and my PI is also mentioning a first author publication for me (a large carrot to stay... yes I know; However, I don't know how much is true and how much is a ploy to make me stay ).

I'm not a quitter and usually always tough it out in situations like these-- but I feel like I'm losing myself in the process. I don't know how much longer I can do this for.

Thank you ahead of time for reading this post.

No research experience in the world, whether at the Sorbonne or in a Nobel prize winner's lab, is wroth being abused and feeling miserable.

1) Talk to the PI about this IF you wish to stay in the lab.
2) Your already have tons of experience. No need for any more. Go do something else you like
3) If you feel that you simply have to be in a lab, find another lab.
4) Even if you leave the lab, talk to the PI about this.

 

[ilovegrapesoda]

.