Janet Tate
Department of Physics
Oregon State University
8 January, 2010

This seminar
Roles in research lab
Expectations
How to go about finding project
My lab

• Student host each week
(i) send speaker timely reminder; & thanks
(ii) introduce the speaker
(iii) keep session on time, take questions.
(iv)projector
(v) take attendance – copy in my mailbox
• Discussion
(i) Read ppt under “discussion” & engage faculty member in a topic about the discussion

• Librarian Uta Hussong-Christian will lead a session on electronic searches tailored to your needs.
• Read: Miller et al . AJP 77, 1112 (2009)
• Friday Jan 22; Autzen Classroom,
Valley Library, Rm 2082
• Email:
Uta.Hussong-Christian@oregonstate.edu

Ph.D. is a research degree: goal is publication of original, significant research in peer-reviewed journal
M.S. is a research degree: goal is publication of significant research
The student is responsible for the progress: demonstration of capability for independent research is key
You work very hard; efficiency & balance are key

• Manages research
• Big-picture person, must know literature
• Writes grants to get $$
• Provides & receives ideas, is a sounding board
• Writes papers, and assists students in writing
• Gives talks, keeps contacts with colleagues
• Mentor, connects you with others, provides development opportunities
• Often has his or her own research project in addition to management
• Has significant teaching and administrative duties outside of research

• Always has his or her own research project
• Manages day-to-day operations on specific project
(takes measurements, does calculations, writes code, purchasing, maintain lab supplies …)
• Keeps abreast of literature
• Writes thesis, papers
• Give talks
• Mentor undergraduates & peers
• Learns the field and connections to other fields
• Provides & receives ideas
• Seeks contact with peers
• May assist in grant-writing

• Super-grad student; mini-professor!
• Manages day-to-day operations overall
• Always has his or her own research project in addition to management
• Very much on top of literature in broad sense
• Writes papers, and assists students in writing
• Mentor to graduate students, undergraduates
• Provides & receives ideas, is a sounding board
• Gives talks, keeps contacts with colleagues
• Assists professor in grant writing

• Research on specific project, either independent or under direct supervision
• Keeps abreast of literature on specific project
• Write undergrad thesis
• Gives talks, writes papers
• May mentor peers
• Provides & receives ideas

Y1
Y2
Y3
Y4
Y5
Fall
1-3
Winter Spring Summ
Research seminar
1-3
1 or more
If possible
1-3
8-12 8-12 12
9
9
12
12
12
12
12
12
9
9

• Broad knowledge is essential
• Attend seminars, colloquia, conferences at every opportunity
• Read, read, read, read! Journals, Physics Today …
• Meet with visiting faculty, begin networking
• Take courses, including short ones at conferences
• Never lose sight of the goal to get research published
• Independence is important, but so is communication and staying connected

• Be absolutely and scrupulously honest and ethical in all things - trust is essential.
• Understand your equipment, methods & their limits
• Be ultra-organized, keep excellent records
• Your advisor needs your professional opinion
• Find colleagues among your peers - they will be important people one day
• Think about the next step in your career as you go along; early preparation is key

• Start research early - don’t wait till comp exam is over
• 1 credit (or more) of 501 - go to group meetings, read some literature, find out about group’s work, do some legwork in the lab.
• Get a sense of the activity, whether you’ll find science interesting, the group dynamic comfortable
• Try to find a position for the summer of Y1

• Rotate more in Y2
• Find advisor before end of Y2, do a bit of research
• Prelim exam at end of Y2 or beginning of Y3
• PhD takes 3-4 years AFTER you’ve signed up.
• MS - 2 full years for a thesis MS and you should be working by spring of 1st year.

• Read prof’s web page for info about research
• Read a recent paper from group
• Attend research seminar to get flavor of research and group
• Approach prof to request more info
• Ask about PhD or MS work
• Ask about RA possibilities
• 1 credit carries no obligation on either side, first experience
• Ask where previous students have gone.

• Post doc at research university or national laboratory
(1-2 yr, 1-2 such post-docs)
• Professor at research university (teach+ research, research only, teach)
• Professor at 4-year college
• Faculty at Community College, High School
• Industry research and development
• Research staff position at National Lab, Defense Lab
• Technical representative, sales, for equipment manufacturers
• Law, politics, investment ….