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Working in research and science - becoming too absorbed in a research project

Ann :)

Hi,

I am a developmental neuroscientist and I love science and research. I recently finished my MPhil and I was hoping to do a PhD. I am seeking some advice in terms of how to set up boundaries in the research environment and how to make sure that I still take care of myself when I get very absorbed by my research.

I recently started working in a lab where I was meant to do my PhD (started as intern, then meant to transition onto PhD.). I love research and science has always been a source of stability and comfort in my life. However, for the third time now (over the past years) I have ended up extremely underweight and this time also utterly burnt out as I end up focusing on my research to the exclusion of all else (I have food/eating issues anyways, but what happens in this case is that I do not want to deal with it and end up stuck in a routine eating the same handful of foods in same order over and over again). I love the all-consuming nature of research and I enjoy having a project to think about and focus on. However, this cycle cannot keep happening. This time it was worse as I also suspect that I have also been taken advantage of (was not paid for 6 months now, despite being promised a contract from after the 3rd month onwards etc.).

How do you make sure that you still take care of yourself whilst becoming absorbed with a research project? (ie making sure to eat well, get some rest etc).

Furthermore, I always want to please people and find myself unable to say no when asked to help out with projects and lab work. I do love getting involved, but as I am unable to say no, I take on more than I can cope with, including projects that I am not so interested in.  (In my current lab, I was involved in 9 projects … and ended up doing a lot of the cell culture for the whole lab which was a 20 hours plus a week… This meant that I had little time, if any, to get started on my own project, despite working 10-12 or more hours a day plus at least 1 day on weekends).

Do you have any advice on drawing up boundaries and how to say no when asked to help out with lots and lots of projects but not being able to cope with it all?

Also do you have any advice on how to best talk to your PI and supervisor about these issues? I am only now becoming assessed for autism so I do not have a diagnosis yet (though I do have a strong suspicion that I am autistic- reading about autism has been such a revelation).

I would be interested to hear about your experiences of working in academia and in research labs. At this point I am very worried that science is not good for me and that I will never be able to balance and will have to stay away from it (I have been off work for over 3 weeks now as I could not cope any more both physically (too underweight) and psychologically (utterly exhausted and burnt out).) This is very sad: Science which has been holding my life together for so long and which I have long loved and sought comfort in, has now turned into an additional source of stress in my life.

Any input would be much appreciated! Let me know if you need more information. Thank you!!

Parents

  • What does PI stand for?

    On the point about talking to your supervisor, can you write instead and copy in HR and occupational health? Tell them how much you enjoy the work, but in view of the fact that you are undergoing assessment for autism, you feel that you must achieve a balance between looking after yourself and work in order for you to be well and for them to continue getting benefit of your talents and that you are looking for their support in this. Both you and your organisation have everything to gain from addressing the problems. A diagnosis will give you legal rights for reasonable adjustments etc, but you need them to be truely partners with you in the finding the solutions. I'd then give them the detail on the points that are difficult for you. Tell them you are writing because you find the difficulties hard to express in person. It could well be that it is a simple case of nobody having this far really understood what the problems are for you.

    A chat with occupational health would be a very good idea. It's their job to advise your bosses about how best to support you.

    Developmental neuroscience, you say...I'd have thought logically you should be in an ideal environment to get the required understanding, but somehow it sounds as though no one has this far picked up on your need.

    I would also get some help from any disability support group or union  you may have within your organisation. They may well help with respect to your employee rights and advocate for you.

    I am so sorry you are going through this, and I hope your health improves soon, but do remember you are a valuable asset to them too. It's in everybody's interest for you to get the conditions you need to succeed.

    Keep us posted.

  • in reply to Dawn

    Thanks! I will write to my supervisor and occupational health- you are right it is better to do it in writing because whenever I try to talk to people (even when I make detailed lists/notes in preparation), I never end up saying what I mean to and the issue does not get resolved. 

    PI = Principal Investigator 

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  • in reply to Dawn

    Thanks! I will write to my supervisor and occupational health- you are right it is better to do it in writing because whenever I try to talk to people (even when I make detailed lists/notes in preparation), I never end up saying what I mean to and the issue does not get resolved. 

    PI = Principal Investigator 

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