Does Laboratory Size Matter?
Jode Plank, a postdoc at the University of California Davis, recently wrote a guest post for Bitesize Bio about picking an advisor as a new grad student.
Jode reviews the pros and cons of joining the lab of the new assistant professor vs. the seasoned full professor. He does a great job of specifying what to look out for. Jode points out that one of the differences can include the size of the lab. Usually newer professors have smaller labs while the seasoned professors run larger labs.
I recently asked a few graduate students and postdocs whether they preferred working in a smaller or bigger research lab. Most answered that they like smaller labs as they and their work receive more attention and feel its easier to work as a team on related projects. Perhaps it can be said that those working in smaller labs have more motivation. Working as a team helps raise motivation in a lab which in turn boosts productivity and overall happiness. (See what Uri Alon says about building a motivated research group.)
Of course, bigger labs are usually more established and have access to added resources, funding, and experience.
What do you think? Is working in a smaller lab better than working in a bigger one? What do you see as the pros and cons of each situation?
Leave us a comment telling us your opinion and take our poll.
Loading ...
July 27, 2010 at 4:01 pm, Christopher Dieni said:
I already gave you my response, of course- I was one of those who said “small lab” for the reasons you’ve excellently outlined: more attention, more interaction, tightly-knit team, stronger sense of community. Many may disagree with me, but I feel that the resources and funding of bigger labs cannot compete with this.
Of course, even a small lab can collaborate with other labs in order to pool resources, funding, and experience. That is why I feel that bigger is not necessarily better.
July 27, 2010 at 4:58 pm, Irene Chen said:
The smaller lab environment would definitely cultivate a more team culture, however would newer PI’s have the same reach as more seasoned PI’s? And does this effect opportunities post academia? With a more renowned PI, would you have access to a larger network to create future oppourtunities?
On the flip side, a newer PI would likely advocate your name and work since you are a direct extension of him/her. Your success would translate to their success.
July 27, 2010 at 5:09 pm, Tweets that mention Does Laboratory Size Matter? | The PostDocs forum -- Topsy.com said:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Yanina , The PostDocs Forum, Jim Austin, The PostDocs Forum, Christopher Dieni and others. Christopher Dieni said: Does laboratory size matter? Courtesy of @PostDocsForum http://www.postdocsforum.com/2010/07/27/does-laboratory-size-matter/ [...]
July 29, 2010 at 3:24 pm, Lab Rat said:
I worked in both for a short period during my undergrad projects. Working in a big lab I found a little intimidating, less time with the PI, and less talking during lab meetings. For my second project I chose a small lab (only two people, PI and postDoc) and found it far worse! The PI and PostDoc were continuously busy with their own work, there was no choice of people to ask questions too, and of course lab meetings were cancelled if one person happened to be away.
I’m doing a project in a bigger lab now, and I prefer it. More people, more research experience, more friends, more things organised and going on (with more ppl to organise them!)
Although by “big” here i mean ~20-30 people so probably still fairly small by other standards.
March 08, 2011 at 10:14 am, The PostDocs Forum’s Top Ten of 2010: Articles | The PostDocs forum said:
[...] Does Laboratory Size Matter Graduate students and postdocs discuss why they prefer working in a smaller or bigger research lab. [...]
April 23, 2011 at 6:55 pm, Chen said:
I think that the question that really matters is the fit between the student and the supervisor. More than anything, the quality of this fit will determine if the student will enjoy both the atmosphere and the knowledge the supervisor has to share. Even in a small lab, with almost no funds, a good fit with a talented supervisor can generate some excellent science with good atmosphere. And that’s what matters.
Chen
August 16, 2011 at 12:13 pm, MyEvilProfessor said:
Joining a small lab headed by an untenured prof. can be instructive if you wish to pursue a career in academia, since the experience will show you how to set up a new lab etc. The cons are also obvious: less well funded, and the PI might work you crazy en route to his/her tenure.
Working in a large and established lab has its obvious plus points: better funded, big name on your resume, potentially powerful letter of recommendation. However, PI-postdoc interactions may be minimal in an exceedingly large group, particularly if your renowned PI is away giving invited talks most of the time.
October 11, 2011 at 6:12 pm, Sunita said:
perhaps smaller labs are more interactive, on subject. Can work mo independent. Need to be more responsive to colleagues and its great then!!