I. How to hook a PI
Are you considering a short-term relationship with a PI (Principal Investigator)? Want to perform group science with like-minded people? Are you a young, fun-loving scientist seeking a mature, intelligent parent-figure (non- smoker preferred)? Well then, step up and join the science dating game! Yes, this is the game in which scientists look to find true love in research!
But seriously, how does one go about finding a postdoc position? This is a really important decision that affects both parties in the potential relationship. Actually, the postdoc is looking for a mature, intelligent mentor – someone who will not be abusive but will nurture and guide them. But, how does a potential postdoc find the right combination of people for his/her relationship? Here is some advice.
As a graduate student or a postdoc looking for a lab in which to train, you need to identify a research area that is interesting to you, because this research area may be the one in which you work for the rest of your career. Ask the opinions of your friends, mentors and colleagues about research topics. However, remember it is you who will have to work in that area, not them (they may have a bias for one area/person over another because of their experiences, abilities and interests, all of which may be different from yours).
Once you have decided on an area of research, how do you pick a suitable lab? Try to go to seminars or a meeting in that area. Alternatively, perform a literature search. Find the labs that are doing the best research in that area, those that are making the real advances and publishing in good journals (the reading will also help you to familiarize yourself with the field). Identify the PI of those labs, and then run a literature search on him/her (this will give you a good idea of their track record, productivity, and consistency in publishing over the years). Then look back through the papers to identify the postdocs in those labs (look at the “acknowledgements” in the papers for the individuals sponsored by postdoctoral fellowships). Find out how many papers the postdocs published in that lab, the quality of the work, how many co-authors were also on the paper (you are looking for the degree of independence versus collaboration in the lab). Then, perform a literature search on that postdoc. You will find out where they went after leaving the PI’s lab, whether they did (even) more postdoc training or found an independent position in a “good/average” institution (this will give you an idea of the overall career potential of postdocs coming out of that lab). In addition, you’ll find out which area of research they developed as an independent project. You are looking to see whether they “took” their posdoc project with them, or whether they started something new. This should indicate whether the PI is supportive of their independent position or the PI and his/her former postdoc have continued on the same project “in competition with” each other.
With all of this information in hand, you are now ready to write a letter to the PI to ask whether he/she has a position available. It is really important, however, to show that you have thought about this. Discuss the PI’s area of work and contributions in general terms (flattery is always nice!), and then the direction in which you are particularly interested, and how you might contribute. Details are not important at this stage, but evidence of intelligence and independence are. Do not mention techniques that you have mastered (you don’t want to appear to be a technocrat) – it should be obvious from papers that you have published or manuscripts that are submitted or in preparation (include all of the above). Include your CV, and get your current mentor to write a letter and include it in the package of materials to the prospective PI. Think about two or three others who can also write letters for you (collaborators or colleagues with whom you discuss your science regularly).
The next step is to visit the PI (this trip should not have to come out of your own pocket). It is better to do this in situ at the PI’s lab, rather than at a meeting. At the lab, you can get an idea about the space, atmosphere, the proximity of other labs (Is the lab in the dead-end part of the building, or are other bustling labs close by?). Talk to other postdocs and graduate students about their work and their opinion of the PI (Do the beatings occur regularly?). Is he/she supportive, and will you obtain good training. Also, ask about the cost of living in the area, the availability of houses/flats in close proximity to the lab, and ask whether it is a safe neighborhood (you’ll be amazed at how many august institutions are built in close proximity to bad neighborhoods).
Be prepared to talk in detail about your current work, the areas in which you are interested (in particular with regard to the prospective PI’s lab), and the overall direction of you career as you see it. You should have the opportunity to present a seminar, at least to the PI’s group. Have specific questions ready regarding projects in the lab. Also, think how you will contribute to the lab in terms of intellect and technical expertise.
You need to discuss business too. Is the PI’s lab adequately supported by grants, and are any of those grants up for competitive renewal soon? What is the PI’s status in the institution? Are they up for a tenure/promotion decision during the time that you might be in the lab? How long does the average postdoc stay in the lab? Does the PI support the careers of postdocs who move from his/her lab to an independent position (compare the answer with what you have learnt from your prior literature searches and with your conversations with postdocs in the PI’s lab)? What are the PI’s expectations concerning a stipend? Will he/she pay you from a grant, or does he/she expect you to obtain a fellowship and, if so, do you need to obtain one before you join the lab or can you apply for one after you start? How much help will you get from the PI in formulating a project, especially if you need to apply for a fellowship before you arrive. I think that it is good to apply for a fellowship before moving to the lab. Grant writing will help you focus on the project before you start, and never forget the old adage, “Have money (for ‘money’ read ‘stipend’), will travel (for ‘travel’ read ‘transfer to another lab if the one I choose doesn’t work out’).”
Well, you should now have enough information to make a decision. It sounds like a lot, but then you are making a potential career/life-time decision. Make sure it is the right one!
