Choosing a lab group for grad school

This is a huge one that everyone has a different answer to, but I’m going to share my opinion on how to make it marginally easier to pick a lab group.

I know I said earlier that research focus should be a top priority when applying to graduate schools, but once you’re in. Faculty (and the rest of the research lab) is the most important factor to a happy graduate career. Most people have had minimal training in research. Sure you might have some research experience from undergrad or in industry but usually that’s more following the book and not really thinking in more detail about the experiment. So for starters, leave your imposter syndrome at home. Everyone comes from a different background but at the end of the day, you’re all in grad school to learn and improve yourselves.

A good advisor knows this. They don’t expect you to be churning out data and papers from day one. They want to invest in you and see you thrive. But how do you know who a good advisor is?

There’s no clear cut answer but there are a few things to consider when talking to faculty.
Are they willing to spend time to talk to you?
This seems like a no brainer, but some faculty are absurdly overworked and don’t have time to really mentor their students. Some people actually prefer this because they think it gives them more freedom (but honestly after talking to people in these labs, even they can’t escape the feeling of being guilty of not accomplishing more work). Some people prefer having harder deadlines and someone who keeps them accountable and can help when small issues crop up.

Are they nice while explaining things to you?
You’d be surprised how many faculty just expect you to know things. I think this is the best sign of a good person because it shows that they actually want to see you succeed. I’ve been able to go up to my advisor and ask her to explain random concepts to me and she’s always been willing to take the time out (maybe not exactly at that moment) to sit down and explain things to me. And I’ve always walked out feeling smarter, saving time, and not feeling like I just asked a dumb question. Like I know we all say there are no dumb questions, but there absolutely are people who look down on you when you ask some questions. Which is WILD when you think about it because we can’t even walk or talk when we’re born, yet these people expect us to just KNOW very niche and complex topics??

What are their thoughts on sick days and vacation?
This is actually super important. There are faculty who expect you to come in while sick or to make up work on the weekend. It doesn’t matter that all you had planned that day was a minor experiment or analysis you can do at home. These faculty members have (kind outdated) views that productivity is directly correlated to time spent at work. They want you to be in 40+ a week, every week until you graduate. And they keep track of your hours or days off. Which I mean if you’re really super passionate about the work, fine go for it. But in reality, these labs are kind of toxic and everyone ends up getting burnt out really really fast.

Is this faculty member someone you feel comfortable debating with?
I know this sounds ridiculous. But I promise you, even if you don’t feel like it right now. There will be a day where you know more about the project and data than your advisor. Also tech and equipment is constantly improving so what used to be the gold standard, may be super outdated now. When I first heard this as an undergrad I thought, there is NO WAY I would ever argue with my advisor, they’re like so much more experienced than I am. Oh how naïve I was. There’s been a few times where I’ve realized that what my advisor is suggesting may not be the most efficient way to run an experiment or that a certain analysis will actually be a lot more fruitful than she thinks it will be. I felt comfortable speaking up because she’s fostered an environment where I know I can talk freely without her taking it as a personal attack. This environment has led to us being able to have really good discussions on how we can take next steps or different techniques we can try which I think has been invaluable to my own personal and professional growth.

What about the rest of the lab, do they look happy? Do they have good thoughts on the faculty member?
At the end of the day the faculty member has the most tangible influence on your career since they will be funding you and writing letter of recommendations, but your lab members will play a HUGE role in your time as a graduate student. There will be times you have questions and you want lab members you can go to for help. I’ve asked my lab members almost everything from troubleshooting experimental designs, to editing yearly exam material, to even stuff outside of lab because these are people I genuinely trust. Also it’s just nice having a work environment that makes you excited to go to work. There was a small period of time where I had a row with a coworker and during that time I just dreaded coming into lab because I knew they would bring down my mood. Luckily it was temporary but if it had lasted my entire time in graduate school I don’t know how I would have survived.
Also what do they think about their advisor? As you can tell, I have nothing but glowing compliments for how amazing my advisor is. But that’s not always the case. There are lab groups who absolutely despise their advisor because the advisor runs the lab group in a way that makes life sort of miserable. There are people who’s lab days are 9am-9pm regardless of what they’re working on. They could literally have 30 minutes of work to do that day but are expected to be in lab for the full 12 hours. This leads to these people being visibly more tired and less happy than individuals who are in a more relaxed lab environment.

What are their expectations from you?
This is a question you should feel comfortable asking your potential future advisor. What are they hoping you accomplish during your time in grad school? Do they have any requirements before they think you’re ready to graduate? How often do they want you to work? Are they willing to send you to conferences? To collaborate with other institutions? To take classes that help with your professional development?

Anything else you thought of while considering which lab group to join?