As a PhD student or early career researchers, you may have wondered about the factors to consider before applying to a lab. Being able to work at a reputed laboratory as part of your PhD program often marks the first step on the road to becoming a successful researcher. In fact, the work you do in the laboratory and the support you receive from supervisors will probably influence the rest of your career. While securing a position at one of these labs can be challenging given the high levels of competition, there are some critical factors to consider before applying to a lab, such as funding availability, diversity of the institution, and the attitudes of supervisors and the immediate team. This article lists 7 key factors to consider before applying to a lab that are tailored to PhD student needs and the information you need to collect to make an informed decision.
1. The approach of the professors and supervisors
As a PhD student conducting scientific experiments, you will be spending considerable amounts of time in the laboratory environment with professors and immediate supervisors. So, try and learn more about the faculty and evaluate if their methods, ideologies, and work styles are not at cross-points with the way you work. Talking to researchers who have completed their experiments and PhDs is finding out about their experiences can help immensely. Having supportive mentors and team members is a key factor to consider before applying to a lab and goes a long way in ensuring your success.
2. Rate and quality of publications
Another important factor that PhD students should consider before applying to a lab is the rate of publication of a lab. Early career researchers must evaluate how different academic institutions and their labs stack up with regard to the quality of publications they produce. It may be a good idea to check out the rate of publications as well as their quality and credibility while looking for prospective labs to apply to. One way is to search for the name of the professor or lead author on the h-index, which offers highlights of the impact of their publications and give a sense of how productive they are.
3. Average timelines for PhD
The time taken to complete a PhD degree with an institution or lab generally varies from 3 years to around 6 years or more. While it is a good idea to spend some amount of time working in the lab with a rigorous team lead by a motivated professor, you also have to be wary of not taking more time than is needed, making this an important factor to consider before applying to a lab. Reach out and take inputs on the average time taken to complete PhDs from those who have gone ahead. This may also be a good time to check on the challenges that previous researchers may have faced and if and how these were resolved.
4. Avenues of research funding
There is no doubt that the availability of funding is one of the key factors to consider before applying to a lab or university. A PhD program can be costly, given the kind of resources and support required. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the funding status of the lab that one is thinking of applying to. Be sure to analyze the current position of the institution’s funds for research projects and the possibility of any long-term funding opportunities too.
5. Opportunities for placements
Do some background research to find out how student alumni were placed after their PhD degrees. The relevance or impact of any institution or lab can be assessed by knowing where former students are currently working in. Therefore, ask around and gather information on the support and guidance that previous PhD students may have received when it came to placements and career growth opportunities.
6. Diversity in lab teams
Another important factor to consider before applying to a lab is the diversity and inclusion policies and the academic atmosphere of the institution where the lab is situated. This becomes especially critical if you are eager to pursue your PhD in a foreign country. It is a good idea to explore how multi-racially or culturally diverse the lab team is to ensure you’re entering a more inclusive working space.
7. Research interests
Given that a acquiring a PhD is a major investment and commitment that involves time, effort, and money, it is imperative that you choose an institution or lab that is working in the area of your interest. A critical factor to consider before applying to a lab is whether the lab or team is working on research questions and topics of your interest; make sure to invest time on getting more details on this aspect to ensure the lab work aligns with your goals.
Some additional factors to consider before applying to a lab are the lab size, lab age, and innovation trends. Get a sense of the size of the lab; if it is a small lab with the right number and mix of PhDs and post-doctoral researchers, then the potential of student-supervisor bonding is far higher. You may also want to see how old the lab is, whether it has been conducting research over many decades or if it is has been newly established. Finally, check to understand if the lab is employing innovative methods so that it can bring uniqueness to your work.
Researcher.Life is a subscription-based platform that unifies top AI tools and services designed to speed up, simplify, and streamline a researcher’s journey, from reading to writing, submission, promotion and more. Based on over 20 years of experience in academia, Researcher.Life empowers researchers to put their best research forward and move closer to success.
Try for free or sign up for the Researcher.Life All Access Pack, a one-of-a-kind subscription that unlocks full access to an AI academic writing assistant, literature reading app, journal finder, scientific illustration tool, and exclusive discounts on professional services from Editage. Find the best AI tools a researcher needs, all in one place – Get All Access now at just $25 a month or $199 for a year!
