Switching research labs for the summer?

[sunshine02]

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What is the best way to tell a PI that you are leaving their lab for someone else's? I just found that I'm no longer interested in that type of research and would like to try something else. Plus, I feel very isolated from the rest of the lab members. I don't know what to tell my PI, and I don't want any bad feelings. My Chem professor told me that no PI will ever be mad that you want to switch labs, but I have a hard time believing that. Do you guys have any suggestions on what I should do?

 

[Ohyeah]

I understand what you're saying, I'd hate to have to do this too. But a big part of the undergrad research experience is exploring what you do and don't like. I'm sure your PI will be more than understanding, as s/he probably did the same as a student.

Just be honest. You enjoyed your time there, you learned... but you've found that your interests have shifted and this other lab is something you'd like to try.

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

I understand what you're saying, I'd hate to have to do this too. But a big part of the undergrad research experience is exploring what you do and don't like. I'm sure your PI will be more than understanding, as s/he probably did the same as a student.

Just be honest. You enjoyed your time there, you learned... but you've found that your interests have shifted and this other lab is something you'd like to try.

Agreed. Make sure to thank your current PI and be grateful for the opportunity he/she gave you, since you might need a letter from him/her in the future. Basically, be courteous and try not to burn the bridge.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I would just be honest to the PI about having interest in other types of research. Most PI are completely fine with this as even they can relate to their youth and finding the right career path. In addition, they know that a happy student = a good researcher. I know of one post-doctoral researcher at UCSF that went to do a post-doc in cardiology research, but after a year, she didn't like it. She went back to developmental biology with the help of her PI and a stellar letter. That shows you how the research world is not meant to be vindictive, unless you are dishonest and screw over people.

P.S. Don't mention the not fitting in. The PI may think the real problem is that you don't like the people there.

 

[sunshine02]

Yeah, I think that may be the only way...it's just that in the beginning, I had told him that I wanted to work in his lab over the summer and then when I actually worked in his lab over the semester, I realized that I wasn't as interested in the research going on in the lab. At the same time, there was another project going on in another lab that sounded really interesting, especially since I had learned about it in a previous course. Three weeks ago, my current PI offered to help me understand my project for the summer and tell me more about what I'll be doing. Because at that time I hadn't exactly finalized everything with the other lab I'm interested in, I didn't tell him that I will most likely not be working in his lab over the summer. Now that the PI from the other lab and I have finalized and worked things out, I realized that it would be kind of hard to tell my current PI, especially since he gave me so much help very recently. I just feel like saying that I won't be working in his lab anymore after he gave me so much help might raise some bad feelings.

 

[CyberMaxx]

I definitely see your dilemma, but it is obvious what you need to do. There is no point in staying in a lab where you are unengaged. You will never excel if you are not passionate.

When you talk to your professor, it might be best not to mention the other lab, but otherwise just be honest with him. Additionally, since many students are paid over the summer for research, I'm sure he will be glad that your telling him this now and that you're not going to waste his money by quitting as soon as the summer is over or something like that. 🙂