Starting Research Lab While in School

[digits2006]

Can PhD student start their own "lab" while in school? Could I start a "Digits Lab" website to show my research and to recruit RAs or would that be out of place for a student?

Edited April 11, 2013 by digits2006

[lewin]

Honestly, it's weird. Your PI has a lab and your RA's are part of that lab.

[digits2006]

Thanks for the honesty. I just want to do some side projects on my own that is not relevant to the lab I will be working in.

[sdt13]

Regardless of whether you want to do solo work, the fact of the matter is that is not possible as you are not able to submit any IRB proposals without a PI who is a professor (who may even have to be tenured...feel free to correct me on this). Additionally, if you want to give undergraduates credit for research, it would have to be through your PI or some faculty. Essentially, everything you do will require some sort of faculty supervision.

 

[lewin]

I have a few projects semi-independent of my advisor. On our IRB forms he signs as "Faculty supervisor" instead of "Primary investigator". I usually want his involvement though because he's smart and brings a lot of added value and he often pays for the studies.

Edited April 12, 2013 by lewin00

[Bionica Von Takedown]

I have a few projects semi-independent of my advisor. On our IRB forms he signs as "Faculty supervisor" instead of "Primary investigator". I usually want his involvement though because he's smart and brings a lot of added value and he often pays for the studies.

 

 I second this... I am an undergrad and I have been doing "independent research" for a few years now and when I fill out the forms for IRB approval I list my mentor as a Faculty Supervisor and I am listed as Primary Investigator. Fortuatly for me, my faculty advisory gives me lots of autonomy and incourages research. Maybe it is different at your school

[digits2006]

Thanks for the feedback!

[lypiphera]

I think it would be fine IF your professor thinks it is fine.  I would put that as the final word - if you run it by them and they think it's a good idea because the projects are different enough to not fall under his/her lab, then go for it.  If they seem skeptical, it's not worth pushing it.  They will need to sign off on whatever you do and ultimately be responsible for your RAs, etc., but I don't think there's anything inherently wrong about having your own lab website as long as everything is open and honest.

[lewin]

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong about having your own lab website as long as everything is open and honest.

 

I wouldn't use the word "wrong" but I would say it's a violation of a social norm that says students don't have labs, only professors do. Whether the student's research is distinct is irrelevant. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the phrase "putting on airs" comes to mind. Professional websites are fine (all the cool students do it ) just call it something other than a lab.

 

Just elaborating on what I said previously.

[kaister]

Why don't you consider starting a club or committee of some sort that does research on the topics you're interested.  It's not as concrete as a lab and you could still have faculty be sponsors, while you run some sort of group that engages in research of a specific topic.  For example I've seen diversity committees or cultural perspective groups.  They aren't labs but they are just a group of people who are interested in that topic that gather together to talk about research and even collaborating, that way you could bring in other faculty, grad students and undergrads who are interested.  On the other hand, more simply, just conduct this research on the side in your own PI's lab and just ask if any of the RA's are interested in helping.  PI's know that you won't always have interests that directly relate to the lab, and it's okay to do your own little project on the side.

[lypiphera]

Professional websites are fine (all the cool students do it ) just call it something other than a lab.

 

I like this idea a lot, and I think it would help smooth over most of the issues.  If you have a website where you talk about your research interests and talk about possible RA positions, you can direct people to apply through the professor/professor's lab, again, IF your professor approves of it all.

Edited April 13, 2013 by lypiphera

[digits2006]

This really helps. Thanks for all of the suggestions. I don't start until the fall, but it's great knowing all these ideas before I start. I am working on a generic website right now that shows my research interests, cv, etc.