Would a LoR from a postdoc harm my chances?

[apt]

I am working on a research project under the guidance of a postdoc researcher at a professor's lab. I don't have much interaction with the professor, just with the postdoc. I am planning to apply for grad school and was wondering if it is acceptable to get a letter of recommendation from the postdoc instead of the professor as he is the one who knows me better. Will it harm my chances? Am I better off asking the professor in the hope that he'll talk to the postdoc about me?

Edited February 13, 2014 by apt

[bsharpe269]

I definitely think that it would hurt your chances and that you should get the letter from the professor.

 

I work with a higher up graduate student most of the time but make a point to stop by the professors office with questions that the grad student cant easily answer ( like things Ive read in a paper that are probably a bit over his head too). Is it possible to do these sorts of things to get to know the professor? Do you guys not have group meetings or anything where the professor sees the work that you are doing?

 

If there is no way at all for you to interact with the professor more then I would still ask him instead of the postdoc or see if the post doc will write it and both him adn the professor can sign it.

[peachypie]

The status of the person writing your LOR is important.  I would try for the professor if you can over the postdoc.  Are the other LORs from higher up profs as well?  A prof should still write you the LOR even if you don't interact daily they should at least have an indication of things you've been doing and can speak to your abilities.  

[TakeruK]

I had a similar case: for one project, my prof supervisor was on sabbatical and I only talked to her during group meetings every other week. My day to day advisor was the staff scientist managing the lab (she had a MSc). When I needed a LOR from this lab, my actual supervisor drafted the letter and the prof signed it. I didn't use this letter for PhD programs but it did help get me into Masters programs and graduate level fellowships.

 

I think a letter from a postdoc would only be better than a letter from someone not in the field (or no letter at all). Like the others said, ask the professor first and see what happens. Even if the prof writes the letter themselves, they will likely consult with the postdoc for the content.