They have a clear and well-informed vision of what they want to achieve with their research. Most grad student research is not impactful because they don’t know what is actually important and useful in the field. Good grad students see beyond the shallow goal of simply getting a paper done, and actually contribute to the field through multiple sequence of papers.
I think it takes more than just reading papers and thinking critically. They have to be exposed to the various external elements that affect the field. (For example, understanding the economy or politics of the field, rather than just the science.)
Maybe this is too much to ask from a grad student haha
The good PIs are looking for someone who works reliably (meaning thoroughly, thoughtfully, independent but also honest when they need help, etc) but those PIs will also care more about the product than the number of hours turned in, and will respect boundaries between work and leisure. More “intense” PIs may equate “good” students with “students who are in the lab constantly” – would advise being wary of them. One of the bleaker sides of academia is normalizing (even romanticizing) having no hobbies or interests outside the work space but it’s important to maintain identity as more than just your work, especially in times when the work is difficult or “stuck”
For me it’s: creative and novel ways of thinking where I’m also learning from them and am excited about how their work will advance the field, polished writing, high degree of initiative and self-starting, enthusiasm and participation, teachability and the ability to ask for and receive feedback graciously and actually apply it.
In the beginning, it’s the students who have done their homework and understand the importance of the work we’re doing. They read papers and ask questions. They’re genuinely interested in the work and they know what they want to achieve by being at grad school. And generally the ones that show enthusiasm stand out. Sometimes I meet with students who are interested in joining my lab and they just don’t seem like they care that much about science or know why they’re here. Like they’re just in grad school because they’re going through the motions.
A little further down the line, the students that stand out most are the ones with initiative and independence. They don’t just sit and wait for me to tell them what to do next – they read, come up with their own ideas, try things in the lab, attempt to troubleshoot and solve problems alone first before they come to me for help.
Comments
Highly cited papers.
Be able to ready and write at a high level; and are able to think critically. The rest should follow
Initiative, independence, interpersonal skills.
Being able to see the bigger picture
They have a clear and well-informed vision of what they want to achieve with their research. Most grad student research is not impactful because they don’t know what is actually important and useful in the field. Good grad students see beyond the shallow goal of simply getting a paper done, and actually contribute to the field through multiple sequence of papers.
I think it takes more than just reading papers and thinking critically. They have to be exposed to the various external elements that affect the field. (For example, understanding the economy or politics of the field, rather than just the science.)
Maybe this is too much to ask from a grad student haha
The good PIs are looking for someone who works reliably (meaning thoroughly, thoughtfully, independent but also honest when they need help, etc) but those PIs will also care more about the product than the number of hours turned in, and will respect boundaries between work and leisure. More “intense” PIs may equate “good” students with “students who are in the lab constantly” – would advise being wary of them. One of the bleaker sides of academia is normalizing (even romanticizing) having no hobbies or interests outside the work space but it’s important to maintain identity as more than just your work, especially in times when the work is difficult or “stuck”
Practical experience.
It has to be his curiosity and initiative
For me it’s: creative and novel ways of thinking where I’m also learning from them and am excited about how their work will advance the field, polished writing, high degree of initiative and self-starting, enthusiasm and participation, teachability and the ability to ask for and receive feedback graciously and actually apply it.
Initiative. Do it yourself. Figure it out. Don’t lollygag and wait for someone to hold your hand and show you.
In the beginning, it’s the students who have done their homework and understand the importance of the work we’re doing. They read papers and ask questions. They’re genuinely interested in the work and they know what they want to achieve by being at grad school. And generally the ones that show enthusiasm stand out. Sometimes I meet with students who are interested in joining my lab and they just don’t seem like they care that much about science or know why they’re here. Like they’re just in grad school because they’re going through the motions.
A little further down the line, the students that stand out most are the ones with initiative and independence. They don’t just sit and wait for me to tell them what to do next – they read, come up with their own ideas, try things in the lab, attempt to troubleshoot and solve problems alone first before they come to me for help.