Trying to Get Published

[coconutt]

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So frustrated here. I have been working in the same research lab for the past 4 years on and off. I was a student in the summer program for two summers and then worked while attending school. I graduated last May 2009, and I now work part-time. AND I DREAD GOING TO WORK EVERY WEEK. Basically, I work for the postdoc right now, and the PI has knew that I was applying to med school. I have a weird relationship with the PI because I dont get a chance to talk to her too much, and I am really afraid to approach as I know she is busy most of the time. I know she must like me at least a bit even though I dont feel that way since this is my fourth year. She knows I wanted to work for my gap year and gave me the part time job offer. I wanted to be full time but there are lack of grants and so I was hired to be only part time.

Anyway, I am helping the postdoc with one specific study. I do all the data entry and I also sit in the study when we have participants come in to take specific notes that we use later. I dont feel appreciated at work and still feel like I am a student. I get all the busy work (like mass mailing for an entire week or making copies), and I get paid s***. I never knew how to approach the post-doc and PI about opportunities to get published because I always thought they are the ones who will approach me and that I dont really have a right to ask them? Well, that time did not come. Everyone else in the lab is full time or used to be full time and they are all published as coauthors with the PI. Another one of the summer students who has been working there for 7 years, graduated the same time I did but is full time now (she asked before I did) and is also getting published. So why me, why do I not get acknowledged and feel like s***? Isnt obvious that I would like to get published for helping with this study? I'm not trying to be cocky but I have put in time and energy into the studies as well, and I am willing to help out and volunteer extra unpaid time if I had an opportunity to get published.

I dont know what I should do? I want to approach the PI and talk about this (being published) but I'm afraid to do so.

I am seriously contemplating just quitting as I dont like being there (although I love all my coworkers aside from the PI and postdoc), and Im starting med school in August. Also, another dilemma and a reason it may be better to quit: I found out about a study taking place which will require me to take two weeks (8 days) off from work and I discussed this with the post-doc via email that I would like to have such and such days off (bad move should have asked the PI in person). She told me she would talk to the PI and they later ended up saying no because they needed my help. If I do this study, I will make 3 months worth of pay in just 18 days of staying at the hospital. I am SO CLOSE to just saying that, look, I need the money to start med school and I need to do the study from a financial standpoint. I made sacrifices for them when I switched they days I work to accommodate the postdocs schedule. If I was full time then I wouldnt have to worry about doing studies but I make nothing right now. If I do the study, then I would most likely have to quit because it will be too awkward afterwards to work there since I know they'll be angry. Also, all the full time workers and the postdoc are going to a meeting in April and of course they did not even mention it. It would at least be nice of them to say that there are not enough funds for you to go....

I am getting nothing out of working here it feels like...dont know what to do. Wish I wasnt so afraid of the PI and told her my situation... 🙁

 

[Morsetlis]

Well, the process should have been clearly discussed about 4 years ago when you started working and whenever a new project begins. I'm sorry that you don't have a good relationship with your PI, but the only way to fix it is to actually start communicating.

I don't recommend leaving in a bad manner--not only will this NOT get you a letter nor a publication, but this will also reflect negatively upon your work history when a future employer wants to contact your postdoc/PI for a reference/background check.

 

[coconutt]

Yeah, that was my only problem. I dont want to leave on bad terms. I was thinking about talking to my PI this week and discussing my concerns about paying for med. school, since I am even having difficulty just paying the deposits as of right now. Then I was just going to mention being published already. I dont know if getting published is something I should have discussed four years ago as just a summer student and isnt it obvious that I would like to? I love how the only person I am antisocial with is my boss 🙁

 

[coconutt]

bump...any more advice? thank you!

 

[theWUbear]

You could always write him/her a quick email to the tune of (rough draft i'm throwing out there, btw. i'm sure its not perfect):

Dear Dr PI:

I have thoroughly enjoyed working in your lab over the past four years, and am grateful for being given the opportunity to assist with your research. As you know, I will soon be applying to medical school. Publications are considered a "plus" when an application is reviewed, as it is uncommon for undergraduates to have participated in scientific research. Do you believe that my work on project X may merit my name being included on any corresponding publications? If you do not believe so, I hope you might consider giving me any extra responsibilities that might merit being included in publications in the future. I am excited and motivated to do what I can to continue assisting your lab for the remainder of this year.

Sincerely,
Coconutt

 

[JJMrK]

I wouldn't send an email about this OP. Go talk to the PI.

 

[RookTookIt]

From what I see, the OP has already applied and been accepted to medical school. If I were you, I really wouldn't concern myself too much with this job. I mean, I guess you can confront the PI and ask to be put on publications, but it doesn't sound like this will be too successful and it certainly seems like it will be unpleasant.

I would quit, do the study for money, and maybe look for another job for the summer (if you really need the money during that time). Good luck in med school and forget about this annoying lab.

 

[coconutt]

thank you for the replies. i am still thinking over the situation. i think i will be brave for once and go talk to the PI tomorrow about my situation, tell her i need to do the study for financial reasons, and ask about publications all at once...if she gets mad or annoyed, it wont matter since i am starting med school this august. i know i dont need the publication since i have been accepted. its a matter of principal. i have worked hard, it doesnt matter if the tasks where no brainers, but i should have something to show for my dedication in the last four years.

 

[theWUbear]

I agree with you and those before you, but would like to point out that med school admissions is not the endgame with publications (they will be used in apps for residency, fellowship, etc)

 

[Morsetlis]

Lack of a publication isn't a red flag. You have *some* amount of time to do research while in med school.

 

[coconutt]

finally was brave and talked to the PI. wasnt as bad as i imagined. she said there may be a possibility to get on an abstract. is that good at all?

 

[RookTookIt]

An abstract is better than nothing and can def be included on a resume in the future. Good for you for talking to the PI. But of course, now you should try to stick it out in this job.

 

[Jihad]

Why the HELL are you still working in that miserable excuse for a lab if you have already been accepted to med school?! Pubs dont matter anymore! It will be much easier to find an enjoyable lab to work in and get published in med school.

I say this because I too suffered in a BULL**** excuse of a lab w a TERRIBLE PI for years. It is not worth the misery, man. Enjoy the days outside of lab before med school!