Just finished your PhD and dreaming of a postdoc abroad, maybe in the USA despite the uncertainties? You’re likely wrestling with a big choice: join a well-established lab with a big team or take a chance on a new principal investigator (PI) just starting out? Both paths have pros and cons, and there’s no perfect answer. Let’s break it down with insights from Prof. Amit Singh, an immunology professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore, whose own postdoc journey at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) shaped his career. His recent LinkedIn post offers real-world advice to guide you.
Prof. Amit Singh is a seasoned researcher with over 20 years in infectious disease research, making him a trusted voice in academia. His LinkedIn post about mentoring a fresh PhD grad exploring postdoc opportunities abroad sparked lively discussion. His own postdoc choice joining a new lab at UAB set the stage for his success at IISc.
Established Labs: These come with visibility, resources, and a higher chance of publishing in top journals like Nature or Science. But you might get less time with the PI, face intense competition, and not everyone succeeds. Prof. Singh suggests: “A good way to assess is to look at the track record: in the past 5 years, how many post-docs from that lab have published impactful stories?”
New PI Labs: Joining a new lab can feel like a gamble, big papers might take longer. But you’ll work closely with the PI, getting hands-on experience in setting up the lab, writing grants, recruiting students, mentoring interns, and shaping the lab culture. Lakshya Raj Khatri, a Marie Curie PhD candidate, emphasizes: “You missed the most important part, the research project and objectives. If the research project and pipeline suits your expertise, the name of lab or how old or new is the lab that doesn’t matter.”
Connor O’Leary, a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, warns: “It certainly can work out, and the PI will typically be more invested in your success, but it also is certainly more risky. If the risk doesn't pay off and a paper doesn't come, the consequences can be career-ending.”
Timing and location matter. Prof. Singh chose his postdoc while starting a family, making life considerations key. He picked UAB in Birmingham, USA: “Birmingham was a comfortable place to raise a family (I had a newborn then), and the post-doc salary was enough to live decently; we rented a beautiful apartment for just $600.” Working under Dr. Adrie Steyn, trained at Harvard under immunology pioneer Barry Bloom, he thrived in a new lab, learning to write NIH grants, mentor students, and build collaborations. In 2025, with visa and funding uncertainties, think about affordable, supportive places like UAB.
Why choose one over the other? Established labs are great for quick publications and tenure-track goals. New PIs offer close mentorship and startup skills. Anil B. from ICGEB advises: “The so called ‘brand name’ of a lab is secondary to the environment it provides. What truly matters is authentic mentorship (no manipulation, no superficial motivation), equality in opportunities, and a healthy space that supports mental health, family balance.”
How to decide? Prof. Singh says: “Don’t just look at the ‘brand name’ of a lab. Think deeply about your career goals, the mentorship style, the research environment, and your personal life.” Connect with PIs, talk to lab alumni, and attend conferences to gauge fit.
Prof. Singh reflects: “Looking back, it was one of the best decisions of my career… Honestly, my time at UAB was among the best years of my career not just because of the science, but because of the opportunities to grow as a person and a professional in a new lab, with a new mentor.”
Your postdoc is about finding balance career, mentorship, and life. Don’t chase prestige alone. Reflect, network, and choose the path that feels right for you.
(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)