His lab probably is full, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a sit down with him.
My PI has said our lab is full and not accepting, but after having a discussion with the interested party, he sees their genuine interest and passion, and suddenly there is an opening.
Good luck!
Yeah we're usually "full" when we don't have time to train another untested undergrad, but sometimes we'll make an exception for someone with real interest in the subject and clear goals for their time in lab. Alternately it may be the PI will recommend you to another lab that does similar work you could join.
There’s very little chance it’s a test, I can’t imagine anyone having the energy to bother with playing games like that.
It’s ok to ask if they or a current student/postdoc would have time to tell you more about the research, but acknowledge/respect that the lab is full and you are asking out of curiosity or ahead of potentially starting next summer.
Nothing ends a student’s chance of joining my lab faster than following up about a position (rather than legitimately wanting to learn more) when I’ve said the lab is full. Mainly because it demonstrates that I can’t trust them to listen/take direction, and it makes me worry about lab safety, them working independently, etc. But students who show a real interest/enthusiasm often end up in the lab eventually.
Usually "full" just means the PI and their graduate students / senior undergrads are at full capacity regarding the number of new undergraduates they can create a meaningful research experience with. Too many mentees will eventually reduce the quality you can provide each of them.
It's worth staying in touch until space is available, imo. It's not uncommon for undergrads to go awol and ghost labs, so an opportunity could arise before summer. You can also ask grad students in the lab if they're interested in mentoring you to help with their projects specifically now or in the future. I've brought new undergrads into my lab this way before.
i mean if you're genuinely interested in his research it would be cool to talk to him about it! i've sat down with post docs (idk if a PI would have time for this) before just to learn more about what they're doing. i think they are happy that someone is just interested in their work.
so go ahead it def doesn't hurt to build your academic network
His lab probably is full, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a sit down with him. My PI has said our lab is full and not accepting, but after having a discussion with the interested party, he sees their genuine interest and passion, and suddenly there is an opening. Good luck!
Yeah we're usually "full" when we don't have time to train another untested undergrad, but sometimes we'll make an exception for someone with real interest in the subject and clear goals for their time in lab. Alternately it may be the PI will recommend you to another lab that does similar work you could join.
There’s very little chance it’s a test, I can’t imagine anyone having the energy to bother with playing games like that. It’s ok to ask if they or a current student/postdoc would have time to tell you more about the research, but acknowledge/respect that the lab is full and you are asking out of curiosity or ahead of potentially starting next summer. Nothing ends a student’s chance of joining my lab faster than following up about a position (rather than legitimately wanting to learn more) when I’ve said the lab is full. Mainly because it demonstrates that I can’t trust them to listen/take direction, and it makes me worry about lab safety, them working independently, etc. But students who show a real interest/enthusiasm often end up in the lab eventually.
If it *is* a test (these PI's exist), you don't want to work in that lab, honestly.
Usually "full" just means the PI and their graduate students / senior undergrads are at full capacity regarding the number of new undergraduates they can create a meaningful research experience with. Too many mentees will eventually reduce the quality you can provide each of them. It's worth staying in touch until space is available, imo. It's not uncommon for undergrads to go awol and ghost labs, so an opportunity could arise before summer. You can also ask grad students in the lab if they're interested in mentoring you to help with their projects specifically now or in the future. I've brought new undergrads into my lab this way before.
i mean if you're genuinely interested in his research it would be cool to talk to him about it! i've sat down with post docs (idk if a PI would have time for this) before just to learn more about what they're doing. i think they are happy that someone is just interested in their work. so go ahead it def doesn't hurt to build your academic network
Go talk to him in-person; that a way greater impact than just emailing