Keeping contact with PI whose lab I will be joining?

[misslitty]

I've accepted a PhD position to join a specific group's laboratory.  We have already gone over the details of the position, and they sent a group email to his lab members welcoming me.  I don't start until Fall, and am wondering how I should keep the communication lines open with this PI without annoying him.

 

[crackademik]

I would just gauge it by the personality of the PI. Some PIs really like to be in contact with their students but others are very hands off. I would talk to other students in this person's lab if you are unfamiliar with your PI's stance on communication.

Also, when you say "communication" are you referring to productive research questions/potential projects or are you wondering if it's okay to say "Hi how are you doing?" The latter is generally unacceptable even if you are already working in the lab. Your PI is a boss not a bestie, even if they seem to be a really cool person. Hope this helps!

[PsyDuck90]

You don't need to keep communicating. If you'd like, you can send an email stating you're excited to start in the fall but are curious if the PI has any suggestions for readings or anything that you can do over the summer to prepare to jump in at the start of the semester. If they give you suggestions, do them. Otherwise, enjoy your summer. The PI isn't going to forget you exist.