What to Think About Before Starting a PhD – Part 1: Choosing the Right Advisor and Lab Environment
How to avoid common pitfalls by evaluating your future research environment
Starting a PhD is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in your academic career. Beyond choosing the right research area, topic, and program, it's about finding the right environment where you can thrive for the next 4-6 years.
Having completed my own PhD and worked in a lab for many years, I've gained firsthand experience and insight into what makes the process smoother. Over time, I've met many PhD students from different backgrounds who faced struggles—not just because the work is difficult, but due to factors related to supervision, lab culture, and hidden responsibilities that are often overlooked.
While selecting your field and institution are crucial first steps, this guide focuses on three additional critical factors that most prospective students miss. These insights will help you identify the red flags and green flags in your specific lab environment before making your final decision.
1. Talk with Former Students
Why this matters: Current students often sugarcoat problems or avoid sharing negative experiences out of fear. Former students have nothing to lose by being honest.
What to ask:
Is your former advisor a kind and supportive person?
How often did your advisor meet with you, and were those meetings productive?
How did they handle disagreements or when your research hit roadblocks?
What was the lab atmosphere really like day-to-day?
Would you choose this advisor again, knowing what you know now?
Red flags to watch for:
A pattern of students leaving without finishing
Stories of micromanagement or complete neglect
Consistent reports of poor communication or unavailability
The bottom line: A 20-minute conversation with a former student can save you years of frustration. Don't skip this step.
2. Understand the Publication and Authorship Policy
Why this matters: Publications are your academic currency. Unclear authorship policies can derail your career before it starts.
What to ask former/current students:
How involved is your advisor in reviewing drafts and providing feedback?
How does the lab determine authorship order on papers?
How long does it typically take to get feedback on manuscripts?
Have there been any authorship disputes or issues?
Do students regularly publish as first authors?
What to research yourself:
Look up recent lab publications on ScienceDirect or Google Scholar
Note the authorship patterns—are students listed as first authors?
Check publication frequency—are students publishing regularly?
Look for co-authorships between current/former students
Green flags:
Students consistently listed as first authors on their projects
Regular publication output from the lab
Active mentoring through the writing process (based on student feedback)
Clear, fair authorship practices
Red flags:
Advisor always listed as first author
Very few publications with students as lead authors
Long delays in manuscript review (6+ months)
Stories of publication disputes from multiple students
Pro tip: Publication patterns don't lie. If you see a lab where the PI is first author on every paper, that tells you everything you need to know about their mentoring style.
3. Uncover Hidden Responsibilities Beyond Research
Why this matters: Many PhD programs come with unspoken expectations that can consume a lot of your time. Knowing these upfront helps you plan realistically.
Common hidden responsibilities:
Teaching duties: Preparing lectures, grading homework or exams
Lab management: Ordering supplies, equipment maintenance, safety compliance
Mentoring: Supervising undergraduates, training new lab members
Administrative tasks: Organizing conferences, managing lab communications, proctoring exams
What to ask:
What are the typical non-research responsibilities for PhD students?
How many hours per week should I expect to spend on teaching or lab duties?
Are there busy seasons where these responsibilities increase?
The reality check: If an advisor can't give you specific answers about time commitments, that's a red flag. Successful advisors know exactly what they expect from their students.
Your PhD Success Starts with Smart Choices
These three factors—honest feedback from alumni, clear publication policies, and transparent expectations—will give you the foundation for a successful PhD experience. Most students learn these lessons the hard way, but you don't have to.
The decisions you make now will shape the next several years of your life. Take the time to investigate properly, ask the uncomfortable questions, and trust your instincts.
What's next? In Part 2, I'll cover advice related to the financial realities of PhD life that not many people talk about.
This series is based on professional development sessions I taught for Neuromatch, where I saw firsthand how much students needed this practical guidance. If you found this helpful, subscribe below for more insider insights on navigating academia successfully. I share the strategies and knowledge that took me years to learn—delivered straight to your inbox.