Would it be wrong to ask PIs for a hiring position in this circumstance?

[libraryismyhome]

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I will be having interviews with four PIs in geriatrics department for the research assistant position tomorrow. About 4 weeks ago, I sent my email stating that I would like to volunteer. I did interview one of faculties there and did say that I would like to be a part time volunteer researcher. In fact, before saying this, she didn't even know whether I was going to do volunteering or not. She informed me that the training would take 4 months and I would get my project starting late summer or early fall.

I heard that they are replete with funding, so would it be okay to ask whether they are interested in offering me a hiring position after 4 months of training?? I also need to tell them that I might be going to another school to get 1 year long Master's. If they hire me I would just work full time there while I am applying. Would this be out of manner? How would they perceive my statements?

 

[Astarael]

I've read a couple of the other threads that you've posted on this topic, and honestly, it sounds to me like you need to spend some time deciding what you want to do before you go off applying for things. If you emailed a PI saying that you wanted to volunteer, then you should be volunteering. If you want a job, then you should be applying for jobs. It isn't impolite to ask if they have a paid position open, but if that's what you really want, you're wasting your time and theirs by interviewing for a volunteer position you don't want.

And if you're doing a master's program this September, why are you trying to find a research job right now? My understanding of 1 year master's programs is that they're way too intense to do more than a minimum amount of research, and if you're working (as a paid employee) of a lab, you're going to be expected to be full-time.

 

[libraryismyhome]

Thank you for your concern and willingness to give me a good advice.
So, as I was gathering more information about this 1 year long Master's program which is located in another town, I realized that this program is not like the SMP in Georgetown but is designed for the students preparing for Ph.D programs. So, it contains research credits as well. But, I asked med students on SDN whether doing this program would be helpful toward Step 1 cause it covers neuroscience and gross anatomy, and they said no, cause these courses are not clinical based.

Therefore, now I don't have propitious reasons to do this 1 year long Master's. I would be only doing this to demonstrate that I can excel in grad level bio courses and show adcoms that I did something during my "forced" gap years due to the absence of green card. And I believe spending $25k for these minimal reasons would be unwise. So, I believe it's much better to work as a full time researcher or volunteer part time. I hate to be so arbitrary, but since there is no guarantee that my green card would arrive before this year's December, it is difficult to make a solid decision. 🙁

 

[Astarael]

That sounds like a difficult situation to be in. Applying for medical school is hard enough-I can only imagine how much getting a green card complicates it. If you're not going to do the master's program, working in a lab is a good idea. My suggestion, though, would be to be very up front about what you're looking for. If that's a paid position, great. Same for a volunteer position. You could even say that you're willing to do either. I do think it will take a lot of the stress out of the situation though if you aren't trying to turn a volunteer position into a paid one or vice-versa though.

 

[acb88]

You really should have been up-front at the beginning about eventually wanting a paid position. If the lab doesn't have funds, then they will not take you in. No PI will say no to a volunteer researcher (as long as they are competent). I guess it doesn't hurt to ask at your interviews if there is a possibility of a paid position in the future, but most PIs will not know how their funding will be in 4 months.