Advice for dealing with potential research supervisor

[TheCat'sMeow]

Hoping to get some advice for how to deal with a potential research supervisor.

 

I met someone who seems to be doing some really interesting work in the specialty of my interest. They know a bit about me and agreed to work with me on a project. However I've had a HELL of time trying to meet with them. There have been late returned emails about meeting times and unreturned phone calls (they gave me their cell to call them "anytime") trying to get the details of this project and my role.

 

I understand that this person is probably unimaginably busy with clinic and research responsibilities but I can't help feeling disrespected. I am at the point now that I am ready to look for someone else to work with. I know I was pretty spoiled with my last supervisor but this seems really degrading, like I'm begging to work with them.

 

Any opinions on my situation (I'm sure it's not uncommon in the world of clinician scientists)? Should I persist or should I take this as a sign (that they are too busy/important to mentor a resident)?

[aaronjw]

All i'll say on the topic is trust your gut instincts.

 

If they are this difficult and you're not working with them yet what's working with them going to be life? In my experience people dont change...

[astrogirl]

All i'll say on the topic is trust your gut instincts.

 

If they are this difficult and you're not working with them yet what's working with them going to be life? In my experience people dont change...

 

Yep, it will probably stay the same or get even worse if you start working with them. I would look for someone else, unless you're absolutely dying to work on that particular project, in which case you're probably going to have to just put up with it. I had a thesis supervisor who would never answer an email or answer his phone (I've known the man for 11 years now and never once spoken to him on the phone), and even when I came right out and told him that I needed him to try and be easier to get ahold of because we were working on time sensitive stuff, he said he would try and was very apologetic and everything but nothing changed. Most researchers are really busy, but some of them are just not good at keeping on top of things like returning emails and showing up to meetings no matter how they try.

[aaronjw]

Yep, it will probably stay the same or get even worse if you start working with them. I would look for someone else, unless you're absolutely dying to work on that particular project, in which case you're probably going to have to just put up with it. I had a thesis supervisor who would never answer an email or answer his phone (I've known the man for 11 years now and never once spoken to him on the phone), and even when I came right out and told him that I needed him to try and be easier to get ahold of because we were working on time sensitive stuff, he said he would try and was very apologetic and everything but nothing changed. Most researchers are really busy, but some of them are just not good at keeping on top of things like returning emails and showing up to meetings no matter how they try.

 

I call it being self absorbed in their own life, drowning from their own self importance to be bothered to recognize what their role as a supervisor is - mentorship and leading

[thehumanmacbook]

Yep, it will probably stay the same or get even worse if you start working with them. I would look for someone else, unless you're absolutely dying to work on that particular project, in which case you're probably going to have to just put up with it. I had a thesis supervisor who would never answer an email or answer his phone (I've known the man for 11 years now and never once spoken to him on the phone), and even when I came right out and told him that I needed him to try and be easier to get ahold of because we were working on time sensitive stuff, he said he would try and was very apologetic and everything but nothing changed. Most researchers are really busy, but some of them are just not good at keeping on top of things like returning emails and showing up to meetings no matter how they try.

 

It's very true. Supervisors are like that. You are either going to be more successful by 1) finding a new supervisor with fewer projects or 2) turning into a Dr. _______________ bloodhound that will send him at least 5 emails and 2 phone calls everyday.

 

I turned into 2. He was impressed by my "dedication" but by God every day I wanted to quit. Research is tough - it's not just the "thing" to do for the summer for premeds, but if you're really passionate about R&D it can get drain the life force out of you sometimes. Just cautioning you know thy supervisor! Let him/her know you!

[Cerena]

Yep, it will probably stay the same or get even worse if you start working with them. I would look for someone else, unless you're absolutely dying to work on that particular project, in which case you're probably going to have to just put up with it. I had a thesis supervisor who would never answer an email or answer his phone (I've known the man for 11 years now and never once spoken to him on the phone), and even when I came right out and told him that I needed him to try and be easier to get ahold of because we were working on time sensitive stuff, he said he would try and was very apologetic and everything but nothing changed. Most researchers are really busy, but some of them are just not good at keeping on top of things like returning emails and showing up to meetings no matter how they try.

 

Just to add to this. I'm going to talk about the clinical researcher/neurologist I work for. She is amazing. She gets back to emails within the day and I have her cell phone number and her home phone if anything pops up. Like astrogirl mentioned, some researchers are super busy while others are not good at keeping close contact with you. I will tell you, though, that the ability to be close contact with your supervisor is very beneficial. In clinical research, I have found that often you have to do tests that need approval from your research supervisor (e.g. blood tests) so if any problems arise, you need to be able to get a hold of your supervisor easily. I don't think I would have been nearly as productive if I didn't have a great research supervisor. I can only imagine how our project would have halted at certain points if we couldn't converse easily.

 

I would suggest to go the extra little bit and find a supervisor who can be there for you. Research can be great fun (yeah - I said "fun"!) but you need to have a project that interests you and/or a good supervisor for that to happen. I would suggest looking for another supervisor at this point.

 

Just a quick question, though. How late does the potential supervisor return his/her emails?

[limoncello]

I know some very busy supervisors who are very prompt in responding to emails.

I think that some supervisors have a superiority complex that makes them view undergrads and even their own students as less worthy of their time, and that is not the kind of supervisor you want to work for.....

 

I'm not saying that it is the case with your potential supervisor, but not replying to your emails on a constant basis is disrespectful and can get worse once you are his student and actually need a prompt reply. And Supervisors do check their emails on a very regular basis....

[TheCat'sMeow]

Thanks for the input. I guess I'm just extra frustrated because thEre have been about 5 cancelled meetings over the last 2 weeks. Their respond to emails is not terribly late, just later than required to make meeting arrangements.

 

I'll have to play this situation by ear and see how they are when we actually DO meet. The last thing I want to do is offend a subspecialist whose fellowship I want to match to.

 

I think I may need adjust my expecations a bit. My last clinician scientist supervisor was GREAT, he would always reply within an hour or 2 but he was 25% clinic (75% research). I was also an undergrad and medical student at the time and had a more flexible schedule.

 

Still not sure what I should do at this point, I'll have to see how things go.

[Caliver]

It's not a bad idea to find a new supervisor unless you absolutely want this project. Here's my personal story:

My supervisor does not ever come to the lab - and she sometimes does not return my emails (because she's too busy as a doc and she is sometimes off to Vancouver or some other cities for conferences). As a result, the lab tech in my lab acts as the boss in my lab lol. It's not too pleasant if the lab tech is obnoxious and the supervisor does not reply.

What I also found was that some of these "busy" people don't even have time for listening to the progress. They only want the results (you don't really get to explain what you have done, etc.).

 

I have seen other students whose supervisors actually come in, return emails and try to connect with you. I personally think you learn more from those.