Should I switch research labs?

[sintheta]

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I've been bored with my lab lately since they've been slowly switching focus away from the basic science projects and more toward clinical trials, which I'm less interested in. I was starting to research other labs to move to but then my PI told me that he'd like me to write up the paper for a study that we just completed (I'm excited, he wants me to be first author!). I'm really grateful to him, but knowing him, this is also an indication that there isn't much left for me to do in this lab...Now I definitely have to stick with this mentor, but should I move to another lab for the summer since it's pretty much my last chance (I'm a junior now)? Or should I stick with him over the summer, write up the paper, and then leave in the fall or after the fall semester? A lot of people are telling me to jump ship, but in light of these events, the path I should take is less clear 😕 ... I'm not sure what I should do, I'd appreciate your advice, thanks!

 

[JayQuah]

I've been bored with my lab lately since they've been slowly switching focus away from the basic science projects and more toward clinical trials, which I'm less interested in. I was starting to research other labs to move to but then my PI told me that he'd like me to write up the paper for a study that we just completed (I'm excited, he wants me to be first author!). I'm really grateful to him, but knowing him, this is also an indication that there isn't much left for me to do in this lab...Now I definitely have to stick with this mentor, but should I move to another lab for the summer since it's pretty much my last chance (I'm a junior now)? Or should I stick with him over the summer, write up the paper, and then leave in the fall or after the fall semester? A lot of people are telling me to jump ship, but in light of these events, the path I should take is less clear 😕 ... I'm not sure what I should do, I'd appreciate your advice, thanks!

Why not get the first authorship and leave later on?

 

[autoimmunity]

Write that paper.

 

[jebus]

yes. get out. find a new job now because summer positions are likely almost entirely filled up.
dissatisfaction is a hobgoblin that will undermine all your work. find a lab filled with hotties and mack on them.

 

[sintheta]

yes. get out. find a new job now because summer positions are likely almost entirely filled up.
dissatisfaction is a hobgoblin that will undermine all your work. find a lab filled with hotties and mack on them.

I have a lab that already wants to take me, but I told them that my PI doesn't want me to leave just yet...should I do my summer there & then return to write the paper? I'm so confused! Thanks
Also, how long does it take to write a full paper? I've never done it before

 

[chef_NU]

Get published then booze like crazy

 

[Depakote]

Your name on a paper is something you will have on your CV for the rest of your life.

Don't back out on that now.

 

[jebus]

Get published then booze like crazy

this is solid advice.

 

[NoSoupforYou13]

Write the paper. It will distinguish you from a majority of applicants. (Not everyone is so fortunate to have the opporunity to be a first author on a full-paper.) Also, it will be a great learning experience.

 

[Prospero]

Write the paper! Every one else has said it, and I agree. Getting first author will only bring you good things. It's worth sticking it out for a bit just to get that. If you want to leave after you get it written, then it will help you get a new position too!

 

[sintheta]

Write the paper! Every one else has said it, and I agree. Getting first author will only bring you good things. It's worth sticking it out for a bit just to get that. If you want to leave after you get it written, then it will help you get a new position too!

Thanks for all your advice. There is no question about it, I'm definitely going to stay and try to write the paper. I guess my question is that if I should "rotate away" in another lab in the summer since I am gonna be really bored, and then come back to finish the paper? Or should I stay throughout the summer, finish the paper, and then leave the lab next year? This is all complicated by the fact that I've asked my mentor for an LOR and he's supposed to give it to me in April ...

 

[diosa428]

Thanks for all your advice. There is no question about it, I'm definitely going to stay and try to write the paper. I guess my question is that if I should "rotate away" in another lab in the summer since I am gonna be really bored, and then come back to finish the paper? Or should I stay throughout the summer, finish the paper, and then leave the lab next year? This is all complicated by the fact that I've asked my mentor for an LOR and he's supposed to give it to me in April ...

I think you're going to have to stay for the summer... if you don't want to be in the lab anymore, and you tell your PI that, he will probably find someone else to write the paper. Most PIs do not just like to sit on data for months. Have you talked to him about this at all? How long have you been in the lab? Are you totally not interested in this lab at all, or is it just the switch from basic science to clinical that doesn't appeal to you? If you have been in the lab long enough, he may be willing to give you your own project doing something that interests you. If not, he can probably give you some advice about what to do this summer, and the two of you can work out your future workload in a reasonable way. If there's really nothing for you to do besides write up this paper, then he will probably be willing to work something out so that you can write the paper and spend time in another lab as well.

 

[sintheta]

I think you're going to have to stay for the summer... if you don't want to be in the lab anymore, and you tell your PI that, he will probably find someone else to write the paper. Most PIs do not just like to sit on data for months. Have you talked to him about this at all? How long have you been in the lab? Are you totally not interested in this lab at all, or is it just the switch from basic science to clinical that doesn't appeal to you? If you have been in the lab long enough, he may be willing to give you your own project doing something that interests you. If not, he can probably give you some advice about what to do this summer, and the two of you can work out your future workload in a reasonable way. If there's really nothing for you to do besides write up this paper, then he will probably be willing to work something out so that you can write the paper and spend time in another lab as well.

Hi diosa, thanks for that point, I didn't realize he might find soeone else. I've been in this lab since my freshman year. I originally joined the basic science side, but slowly he let me be more involved in clinical stuff, which is more rote procedural stuff and less interesting science (just administering form questionnaires, etc.) I feel like I haven't been learning much these days, nor doing new stuff. I kinda feel like he's throwing me a bone to make me stay in the lab. I've expressed my frustration to him, but I didn't tell him I was thinking of leaving entirely. I think he expects me to stay throughout my senior year. But the possibility of letting him know that I want to leave + still writing the paper on the side sounds ideal, and I hadn't thought about it before. Though that's gonna be a difficult conversation to have....

 

[relentless11]

A publication can only help you. But are you applying to an MSTP? If not then don't put too much stress into this research area. If you are then the publication would be more beneficial.

Publications are great, but they will have a better effect assuming you get to interviews where you can show them the actualy document if asked. Problem is getting an interview. Entries on a CV is acts as a good summary, but can be taken as a grain of salt without hard evidence.

If you just want to do a normal MD program you can do whatever you want that makes you happy. The #1 thing about research is to do something that you enjoy. Not neccessarily something that'll make you famous. Although relative to the thousands of applicants out there, having a publication does happen, and having a first-author publication is rare...and having a first author publication in a good peer-reviewed journal is even rarer. Problem is, as you get over each hurdle during the application, people with publications becomes more "concentrated". By interviews you will be going up against some amazing people, so publication or not, you will need something more unique about yourself to get you in into a normal MD program. Each person has their strengths so I can't say much beyond that.

From my perspective, aslong as you have some proof of your research, whether it be your publication, or a letter of recommendation, or research units, then you are FINE. Thats hard evidence. Its better to have all 3, but 1 or 2 is acceptable. Reason being, during primary applications, they will see your transcript, so will see research units. During secondaries they will see your letters of rec where the PI says you worked x-amount of time and did this and that, and finally during interviews you can show them your manuscript when asked. But as you can see, the whole publication bit doesn't even play a big role until interviews.

Ultimately the choice is up to you, I'd do something that i'm happy with rather than fame and fortune. I have found publications to be nearly a dime a dozen. I have always asked my undergrads to help out with publications, and over the years, 7 of them have already had first, second or third author positions in book chapters, manuscripts, and national presentations. So in my eye, they are not as rare as people make it out to be.