Hello

This comes out of a recent paper request, which dealt with University rankings, best places to work in and so on.....
I didn't have access to the paper but this is what I feel. Wonder what do people have to say.

Many of us make decisions to choose a place based on the place itself and not in terms of the lab. I did it once myself but was fortunate to end up in a good lab unlike many of my firends, who are in good "places" but not good labs.

I personally think one should look at labs to decide which lab to work in and then look at the place if they can survive in the place and are okay with it. I think Professionally one has to keep a trade off between the lab and University. Good lab and good Univ:excellent, good lab average University: good but bad lab and good university :bad choice in my opinion.
The question is how many of us keep this into account, specially people seeking Ph.D. positions?

TC

In my experience, there is a correlation between good labs and good places. More often bad labs are also bad places, full of frustrated people, with second thoughts of their wasted career - or so lazy that nothing happens at all; frustration gossip and playing against another comes out of the boredom.
I'd say start with the good labs and then ask around if they are also good to thrive in. I also had a brief studentship in a scientifically excellent lab, with rotten atmosphere. But those are rarer I suppose. Good boss makes a good lab, and also a good atmosphere - a happy student is a productive student ^^

'another lab' always looks better to even those in the 'another lab'. Human nature perhaps.

Very difficult question.

As a PhD student you need to find a lab, where people will be willing to teach you. You need a lot of guidance and if your boss can sit and discuss things with you on a regular basis, its quite good. Ask other people in the lab if the boss is good and go according to that.

Good Luck

I have experienced both: great institution and bad experience; great institution and very good experience....I realized that it comes down to the people that are around you and lead you. You can be in the best institution with a lot of money, but if you have a "slave driver" as leader who doesn't appreciate your work, then it isn't fun. In the end of the day you need to be happy with your work....you need to get back up in the morning .....and you'll spend most of the time. If you'll hate, it would make it very difficult.