Joining Assistant Prof Lab

[sabdo]

Hi Guys,

I just started my MS in BME at Duke and I had a question regarding joining labs. I was wondering if it is a significant drawback to join the lab of a relatively new assistant professor vs that of an established professor?

Essentially, I have a project offered to me from an established professor in BME. Although the project is interesting, it isn't exactly what I wanted to do. On the other hand, there is also an assistant professor who I don't know much about who has really cool research that is more inline with what I wanted to do.

I guess my dilemma can be boiled to: go for established professor with research somewhat inline with what I want to do vs assistant professor who is doing the kind of stuff I want to do?

[aberrant]

I think that you should have the ability to weigh whether the research topic for the next 2 years or so is more important to you, or the possibility to get a good recommendation letter (or networking) from an established professor, who may help you in the future (job-seeking or grad school app).

But just because a professor is established that doesn't mean he/she is willing to do all the good stuff for you.

I would care more about the research topic itself, since this is what I'll have to deal with for the next 2 years all the time (and from what you have said, it seems to be guaranteed that you can work on that kinda stuff). If I have to do something that I'm not interested in, it might be challenging for me to be motivated all the time and work on things that I'm less interested -- even if I'm working for someone who is established.

[Eigen]

There are several excellent threads on this exact topic from the last year or so, lots of good information in them.

Personally, I'm quite happy with my PI, who is quite young. He's well connected, remembers the job search well, and is willing to help me network.

Established (as Aberrant pointed out) only means so much if they're not willing to use that to your benefit.