Struggling with thesis lab choice

[Taeyers]

First off, I have to clarify that I haven't even officially started my graduate program yet. However, I'm already being asked about my decisions and long-term plans by multiple people in the program, including 2 potential PIs, and it's kind of putting me in a glass case of emotion. 

 

Quick background: I first started getting research experience just under 2 years ago in a small physiology lab at my undergrad institution. I was already on track to graduate in just 8 months, so the PI did me a big favor by taking me on with no guarantee of getting even a year of work out of me. I have been in this lab ever since, and my PI is on the admission committee of the graduate program that accepted me for the upcoming fall and gave me an amazing fellowship. I have expressed in the past that I would like to stay in this lab, and I know I'm wanted in this lab, but nothing has been assumed to be final or set in stone. Graduate rotations are still required, and this fellowship I received basically means I have the choice of any lab that will have me, regardless of their ability to fund me. 

 

The twist: Another PI in my program, whom I have interacted with mostly in passing before, has expressed interest in bringing me into the lab. His research is pretty different from my current work, but the subfield is not too far removed. His lab is also very small, but he expresses a lot of confidence in their ongoing and future work, and the potential to publish groundbreaking papers in high-impact journals. Now, I fully realize that literally anyone could make these claims, but my current PI doesn't and realistically probably couldn't, so there's that... Anyway, this potential new PI has stated very clearly that if I were to join, there's a very promising project waiting for me, and they would love to have me. His track record of publications in great journals that are ahead of the curve in the subfield make me very intrigued. Personality-wise, I could see myself really getting along with him, but I think he would be a very tough PI to butt heads with too. 

 

The dilemma: I feel a sense of personal debt to my current PI and lab that is probably overly exaggerated, but persistent. I also feel deeply personally responsible for plans that I know exist for me with the hope that I stay in the lab, some of which are pretty immediate. There is a major project with a lot of work coming up very soon that I'm supposed to take the lead on (the current grad student has expressed profound disinterest in it back when it was her project), but I would basically have to drop it like a hot potato if I left. There are certain technical skills that only I possess that are currently central to multiple projects, and someone else would have to acquire those skills to replace me, or an external facility would have to be paid from an extremely tight budget to do the work that I could do basically for free.

I really like some of the work we do, and really don't like some some of it. Specifically, a lot of our work with mice includes stress tests or surgical device implantation, and being a rabid animal lover causes me to struggle with things we put these mice through. I don't believe our research is at all unethical, it just doesn't sit well with the part of me that really likes mice and had them as pets. Interpersonal things in my current lab are really great in some ways and pretty shaky in others, but the PI has generally been good to me and fair overall. 

 

However, I'm pretty freaked out at the possibility of applying to post-docs in the future while having only worked in one lab before. Holy crap, that seems like a really bad idea... I also get a bit excited about the prospect of switching up subfields and the work I do, partially just to prove to myself that I can, and partially because I think I could be happier than I am currently. I am really apprehensive about leaving a PI that has been a net positive force in favor of the unknown, and yet, some of the things he does do make me wonder if I would end up feeling differently down the road. 

 

I'm just looking for advice on how to proceed, and any experience or knowledge that could help me. Like I said, even though I haven't even started my program yet, I'm being asked about decisions by faculty members and other people in the program, who all seem to assume that I'll probably stay where I am now. I know my current PI wants to keep me, has future plans for me, and wants to know why I'm considering leaving, so this dilemma is not something I can put out of my mind until a later time. 

 

Sorry for the incredibly long post. Like I said.... 

 

[biotechie]

Since your program requires rotations, I would start there. Make sure you rotate in the other professor's laboratory to get a feel for the lab and what your project would be. In addition, make sure you rotate somewhere else as well so you can be sure of what you want.

 

I think your concern about being in the same lab for a long time is shared by many students, but provided you present often (at conferences, etc), generate and publish good data, and in general get good recommendations from your committee, you could make it work in the current lab.

 

The exact dilemma you're facing is why I chose to go to a different institution for my PhD studies.

[bsharpe269]

Hmm this is a complicated situations. There are my thoughts, if they help at all.

 

I think that in your siutation, I would feel a bit of obligation to your current PI as well, especially if you feel like he helped get you into the program and secure you the fellowship so that you could work in that lab. I do think that this should factor into your decision. If you were to leave, do you think that this would create future tension? The last thing you want is to create an unpleasant situation for youself right away. Also, if your current PI really likes you this much then you definitely want to be use him as a contact in the future and the amazing LOR that he would write would be really helpful for postdocs.

 

I really don't think you need to worry about having only worked in 1 lab. That is the whole point of a postdoc since most students work primarily only in their phd lab. Yeah, they do undergrad research too but many people lose contact with those professors anyway. You can get to know other professors well enough for LORs from classes and callaborations.

 

Can you just have an honest talk with your PI about this? Explain to him that you love the work but are worried about the limited exposure and are torn? I agree with biotechie that you should do a rotation in the other lab and see how you like it. This would help with your "Ive only ever worked in 1 lab" worry since you would be in the other lab long enough to build a connection with the professor, learn new techniques, and possibly get a publications. You could try out the other project and see if you would really like it more or not. It sounds like a perfect situation.. you can basically stay on the fence about which lab you want to committ to and take some time to figure out whats best for you.

 

Edit: I also want to add that if you discuss your honest thoughts with your current PI then he also might be willing to work with you to make you more happy with your work to keep you in the lab. For example, maybe you can suggest that he hire an undergrad to do some of the mice work that bothers you. Maybe he would let you take on a different project instead. There are lots of options that you can explore with your current PI after the rotation!

Edited August 10, 2014 by bsharpe269

[Igotnothin]

I'm going to get destroyed for saying this, but be careful with male PI's who really want you to join their labs. I have seen and heard about numerous cases of male PI's heavily recruiting female students and things turning creepy before long. That said, my advice is like the others, to do your rotations as required and see where your interests lie in the end. Don't let any feelings of obligation or gratitude affect your decision - your career is too important.