When you open your first lab you build it in a certain way but then as the years go by and your science or style of work change you're stuck with that structure, unless you move to another institute or something. How do you deal with this?
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I actually moved to a completely new place, institute and country. Very high price but in that sense it pays back. Not sure it will work for everyone as you have to be prepared for duel even.
Leave them go, let them take almost everything with/for them.
Start over again
Hard but rewarding
Smiling a lot, again
Fresh ideas.
New challenges
Thank “Mother Research “as it allows us to start over again and again
100% - “but you’re the guy that does X! If you’re now someone that is doing Y I have no clue how to categorize you and will have to think about it - please don’t change, it will play havoc with the mental boxes that I place people in!”
It's not unexpected, as teams and goals evolve -perhaps the regular Dept. evaluation instance is the chance to proactively propose the envisioned changes?
Multiple answers:
1. Moving is very good and is the simplest was to effect that change
2. a sabbatical is a milder version - is this really the change I want?
3. One of the biggest drags on change is brand identity - you are “the guy that does X” and granting bodies like that to go on (1/n)
4. Diversify - are any of your ideas things you could do outside academia? Then do them! It’ll come with new challenges but will greatly enrich you and your science. Recommend highly.
5. If you decide on major change it will impact all of your team - manage that carefully. It’s very hard on them
In the end be honest with yourself - if you’re no longer enjoying a specific scientific direction (even if it’s everything your lab does), then kill it off and move on as fast as you can. Your heart isn’t in it anymore and you won’t do your best. It’s the hardest decision - but also the best. Do it!
The lab I built was not for me. I was just curating the space for the people that would grow and replace me. Disappointingly, they have done this really well and have become wonderful PIs. So I’m slightly obsolete at the moment.
Great question. My PhD and postdoc advisors both moved several times in their careers. When I was considering moving both said that I would find the new colleagues, new place, and new science a very positive stimulant to intellectual rejuvenation. I moved, and they were right!
We've made lab changes one student project at a time on science, or lab discussion for culture/expectations. Buy-in to take a risk on something new at individual or group level has been critical.
I recently had my space renovated, including having to move the lab to another location. I also had my lab manager retire. I found that letting the new lab manager and students have a voice was valuable. They do the majority of the work, after all. I provided significant input, and let them go.
Comments
Start over again
Hard but rewarding
Smiling a lot, again
Fresh ideas.
New challenges
Thank “Mother Research “as it allows us to start over again and again
1. Moving is very good and is the simplest was to effect that change
2. a sabbatical is a milder version - is this really the change I want?
3. One of the biggest drags on change is brand identity - you are “the guy that does X” and granting bodies like that to go on (1/n)
5. If you decide on major change it will impact all of your team - manage that carefully. It’s very hard on them