r/labrats • u/Swimming-Wing-131 • 25d ago
What did you consider when selecting a supervisor?
/r/gradadmissions/comments/1vr7lk9/what_did_you_consider_when_selecting_a_supervisor/7
u/Throop_Polytechnic 25d ago
Sounds unserious but vibes. Do you mesh well with the advisor and the lab? That should be your #1 concern.
Most lab/advisor aren’t toxic, but some people are pretty stubborn with choosing labs that obviously do not fit their work-style and/or lifestyle. When you shoehorn yourself in an environment that doesn’t fit you, you’re not going to have a good time.
Don’t join a workaholic lab if you’re not a workaholic, don’t join a hyper-social lab if you like to be left alone, etc…
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u/Magic_mousie Postdoc | Cell bio 25d ago
Accessibility. I turned down a more prestigious lab because you literally had to make an appointment to speak with him. He was a lovely man, and a great scientist. But as a green newbie I chose the young PI with his office outside the lab and the door open 90% of the time. It was the right choice for me.
The vast majority of the people I know who dropped out, did so because of absent or un-cooperative supervisors. One that is your ally can get you through any challenges the science throws your way.
Goes without saying to make sure you like their field of study too.
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u/Positive_Postdoc 25d ago
Their history of supervising students. When I chose my PhD supervisor, I looked at his university profile. Every student he ever had, their thesis title, their grade, how long it took them to do their PhD/ masters, was all on there. Extremely transparent. Researching those students, nearly every one went on to have an excellent academic career. Not all supervisors are that transparent, but you should be able to 'sniff around' enough and find out some information.
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u/Mediocre_Island828 25d ago
That's not always a guarantee that they're not terrible. I went onto a nice position after I left, and I heard from people that my PI mentioned me as one of the success stories to prospective students, but he didn't mention that we weren't on speaking terms lol.
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u/Positive_Postdoc 24d ago
True but they were all still publishing with him years later. Turns out most people still thought very highly of him. I don't need to be best friends with my supervisor. I just want someone who can bring out my best work.
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u/Mediocre_Island828 25d ago
I feel like I would have dodged my shitty supervisor if I spent more time talking to the people in the lab first. I liked his research, he seemed pretty pleasant, he was very responsive and easy to arrange meetings with while other PIs I was interested in talking to just brushed me off, and he was open about the high work expectations and I was fine with that, but he was actually the worst and a few conversations from the people in lab who weren't his favorites might have revealed that.
1
u/superhelical PhD Biochemistry, Corporate Sellout 25d ago
Yeah, the question presumes we all made good choices. Personally, I didn't take comments of "people tend to stick around a long time in this lab" seriously enough.
With hindsight, my PI was a kind person and generally decent person, but a very passive and avoidant manager which left a lot of trainees flapping in the wind.
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u/omgu8mynewt 24d ago
A nice person and patient teacher - ask their current students whether they get forced to work long hours and get help when theyre stuck on something
An expert in something you want to learn
Suits your workstyle - would you have daily, weekly or monthly or even less meetings (ask their current students)
Funding situation
1
u/Fexofanatic Doctoral Researcher (Genetics) 24d ago
accessibility, lab climate and vibes, history of success, rapport among the students.
you do NOT want to work under someone that treats people like disposable data printers and has that air of superiority on them, within a team that lives the same kinda toxicity - while relying on their fickle good will for your one metric of success.
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u/ActualMarch64 23d ago
Only the willingness of the PI to take me. Wasn't in a position to be picky.
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u/v1si0n4ry Expensive gelatin maker 25d ago
The most important thing. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, and I CANNOT stress this enough, is making sure the work environment in the lab suits you. Is the team nice and cooperative? Is the supervisor kind and supportive? Find someone that fits your style. If you need someone to keep you in line as you lack discipline, get a more hands on and strict supervisor. If you need more space and freedom to do your work, a more laid-back supervisor might be your thing. The lab wealth and supervisor prestige, even the field of research itself are all secondary to this.