<p>I am a junior in physics. I have been working with an AMO (atomic, molecular and optical) physics professor. He researches ultra-cold atoms and quantum optics. Since he's new to the university, his lab is still mostly in the infant stage. In fact the construction of his lab was just complete recently. For almost the entire summer, I was building circuits and other electronic equipments that will be used in future experiments. It will be quite sometime before the group starts doing any serious physics experiments. Optimistically, the group might have everything set up and start doing physics by the end of this year. But even by then, I am not sure if the professor will assign me some actual research project instead of just making me building equipments. The closest thing to optics that I might get to do in the near future is probably building a photodetector. The thing is that I am not even building from scratch. I kind of just copied what other grad students have built. </p>
<p>I do realize that the hands-on experiences gained from building the experiment equipments are valuable. But at the same time, I am not getting any exposure to any original research which I desperately need. A lot of my friends in the physics department seem to be doing actual science research rather than being lab technicians. I am a junior now and I have only a year and half left before I apply for grad school. I understand the importance of consistency and the close relationship you get out of a long commitment working for one professor. My professor also said that not everyone can say that they help build a lab from the very beginning. I do agree with him to some extent. But my lack of real research experience worries me. I don't have the luxury of the grad students in the lab who will be around for at least 3 or 4 more years to see actual ultra cold atoms research in full blossom. </p>
<p>Recently, I contacted this electrical engineering professor about research opportunities in his lab. He is very enthusiastic about having me working in his lab. He has had physics majors work for him before. One of the projects that the EE professor is very keen to push me into is laser-guided assembly of nanosystems in which one of his groups uses holographic optical traps to precisely manipulate atoms, molecules and cells into useful arrays. The nature of the research is basically biophysics. The leader of the that group is actually a physics Postdoc. The EE professor told me upfront that if I do join his team, it will be a serious commitment and the research will culminate in my producing a serious paper with him. </p>
<p>On one hand I am quite interested in my AMO physics professor's research even though it won't be carried out any time soon. I still have this hope that if I build whatever he asks me to build and wait a little longer, I might eventually get to do some research project. But on the other hand, I am very aware that my time is running out. And if I join the EE professor 's group, there's a very high chance that I will actually do some science and I might get a chance to publish a paper which in my understanding is a huge accomplishment for grad school application. However, I am a little unsure about the subject of the research. Biophysics and bio-nanotechnology sound fascinating, I am definitely interested. But they are not exactly the areas that I envision myself doing in grad school. </p>
<p>So I am really facing a dilemma here. Should I quit my current lab and join this EE professor's lab. Or should I be persistent and continue my work with my AMO physics professor. I would really appreciate your advice.</p>
<p>I was in a somewhat similar position where I began a lab and developed platform technology. It was a waste of my time because despite all the time and energy I poured into it, there were no publications and the resulting patents were given to a “co founder” for strategic reasons (this was in industry). I blew about 9 months with this endeavor and it leaves me with very little to include on a grad school app. Certainly don’t be a dick about it with your current PI but just let him know that you are working in a lab for research experience and while you would be willing to help out in a lessened capacity, you have an opportunity that you can’t turn down. That would put him in a position to either give you a project to do (which sounds like it would be the best case scenario) or replace you and let you go on to do something more worthwhile with your undergrad research time.</p>
<p>btw, physics sounds so cool. I love the idea that atoms can be cold. </p>
<p>Lab technicians are not just cheap setup labor, techs are the equivalent of a grad student except that we don’t have classes or rotations.</p>
<p>It would be in your best interest to switch, but in doing so be very careful about leaving your current lab in good standing. Your current PI can still write you a nice letter of recommendation even though you were able to work on any research related projects. People go in and out of labs often due to other oppertunities arising. Your PI should understand the circumstances and encourage you to seek a position that would enhance your research skills.</p>
<p>My S had a gofer position within his major, ME. Three years of gofering, doing minor projects for professor (who became his undergrad advisor and mentor) that she couldn’t give to her grad students, doing literature research, etc. Actually got paid for one summer completing a project that another grad student got working but not well enough-S rebuilt some of the stuff. Had a small “research” project for senior year of which he literally begged not to complete. His original intent was do some extra work outside of studies, and not specializing in ME- he wanted to do Designing using technology (HCI) which was his double major. </p>
<p>This Prof of Robotics (Mechanical, Electrical, Neuralbiotics) gave him a great recommendation and he got into a great masters program, computer science . This prof won a Presidential (Bush) Recognition while he was her gofer, and a year after son left this school, she became a MacArthur Fellow with award. </p>
<p>S is now finishing an internship, and looking for a fulltime position. (Late year job hunting is not the best time.) However, his professor, has offered him a job again as her assistant but paid, and as fate has it, at a school and location that is nearby home and in the same city as his internship. She had previously offered him a ph’d program with her when he was an undergrad, offer still stands (he now has a MSCS).</p>
<p>My opinion: Forget about the undergrad research. What you will learn in this lab or other lab, will be the relationships with this professor and grad students. By the time you graduate, you may become the expert in the lab because you know how everything works. </p>
<p>The greatest thing that his undergrad prof said, "he completed all tasks, on time, on budget, above expectation, and with little supervision. "</p>
<p>Look past the research and project aspect and look to see if you and your lead professor/mentor can work together. The human aspect is much more important than the technical aspects.</p>
<p>I couldn’t disagree more with LongPrime. Sure ‘human aspect’ is important but coping with lousy work just because your relationship with the PI is nice is crazy.</p>
<p>Frankly, if you see no relevant work in the future and think there are better opportunities elsewhere, get the hell out of that lab.</p>