Is it Career Suicide to Work for a Competitor?

Dear Dora,

We always seem to be competing with this one lab, but they do really good work and I like them a lot.  Is it acceptable to do a postdoc with a competitor’s lab?

Gena, graduate student

.

Dear Gena,

Competition is common, and even normal, between groups working on similar topics. There are a few concerns, however, if you were to work for your PI’s competitor. The first issue is the relationship between the two PI’s. Some competing PI’s maintain collegial relationships, and might even collaborate on some projects. At the other end of the spectrum you find PI’s, who are “archenemies.” They do not speak with one another, and their students would not even think about doing a postdoc in the other PI’s lab. If your PI and the other PI maintain a professional relationship which is not very tense, then it might be acceptable for you to work as a postdoc in the other group. Your resume would, in fact, be strengthened by showing work experience with two leaders in the field, and you would come across as a very strong job candidate.

Another important consideration is the intellectual property of each lab. If the two groups are in fierce competition, and they have each developed their unique methods to solve the same problems, then your PI might be concerned with you taking his or her “secrets” to the other group. Companies usually ask employees to sign non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements to make sure their trade secrets would not be shared. In academia this is less common, because professors try to publish their results as quickly as possible. Yet, your professor might not be very happy to see you work for his or her competitor. If you feel uncomfortable asking your PI, then talk to your group members first. They might be more familiar with the dynamics of the two groups, and can advise you on whether or not this is a good idea.

Sometimes, administrative assistants can also be a great resource. Many of them have been around for a long time, and know more about the history of the lab. If your administrative assistant has known your PI for a while, and you have a good relationship with him or her, ask how they think your PI would react to your postdoctoral plans.

Hopefully the nature of the competition is relatively mild, so you can gain additional experience and become a real expert in your field. Remember, that your PI is your most important academic reference. It is important to maintain a good relationship with him or her, so be respectful of their preference on this issue. This way, you will avoid burning bridges, and maintain a good relationship with your PI.

Dora Farkas, Ph.D. is the author “The Smart Way to Your Ph.D.:200 Secrets from 100 Graduates,” and the founder of PhDNet, an online community for graduate students and PhDs. You will find links to her book, monthly newsletters, and discussion board on her site. Send your questions to [email protected] and keep an eye out for them in an upcoming issue!

.

Stay tuned for the next Dear Dora in two weeks!  In the meantime, check a few of Dora’s recent posts:

• Stealing, Guts and Deceit
• How to Leave, Balance and Publish
• Ethical Dilemmas, Micromanagers and that Evil Email.
• Authorship, Feuding and Career Doubts
• Starting a Family, Finding a Job and Managing Your Boss
• Dear Dora: Asking for a Raise, Picking a Lab and the Importance of Good Grades
• My Labmates Want Me to Be Their Dealer
• Isn’t Reviewing Papers My Boss’ Job?
• Dear Dora: Full-time Student (and Part-time Employee?)

.

Submit your questions to Dora at [email protected], or use the comment box below!

.