I think you should focus more on your research and try other alternative for academic discussion. There's plenty (or maybe few) of research community on the web, where you can share and discuss your thought on certain subject. I also think lab politics is just a start before you advance further in your career as an academician. So, you should not worry much about the politics, you can't even run from it. The best way to deal with it. I've heard from my previous supervisor, academic politic is much worst than that, trust me.

Hey Nimrod81
I like your reply! Reminds me of my labmates, which think and assume that they are capable and talented.

hi kittun,

i'm just about to enter my 5th months of my PhD, with another 7 months left for my upgrading. With such little effort and knowledge, I don't have any tips to share with you. That's why I often check this website for tips.

As for a senior that I mentioned, what he told me is just add some 'spices' to whatever your boss ask to, e.g instead of 2-3 analysis, make 4-5 that somehow make sense to your research, report submit neatly, no spell proof (this is difficult for international student like us) and on time, ask some good questions or impress your supervisor with some new stuffs that he may not know (phew, this is the tough one i guess!)

hi guys,
After read one of the featured articles in this web page that recommend to maintain 40 hours a week, i've started my own stats on the number of hours spend for reading, coding etc that related to my research. I found out it is difficult to maintain 40 hours of effort to your PhD works, as the average i've managed so far is 26 hours in average a week. That's exclude surfing the net, go out for lunch, loitering around, etc etc.

In your case, I've few friends, senior to be exact who share the same problem as you. One of them, the brave one, what he did during his 1st year is just follow his supervisor style and once upgraded to PhD, that's the time where he don't give a damn about lab hours time, i.e. work on his own time rather than the supervisor. He able to compensate that with good report and delivered all the experiments beyond his boss expectations, until his supervisor indirectly notice that being micro-manage towards PhD student doesn't give any benefit to anyone. While the rest others, two of them finally fed up during the final year, confronted their supervisor, with longer extension to complete their PhD study as a result!

Eh, I'm not the only one here. Well, as I said earlier, no use of complaining. What do you guys do about it? How do you cope with life during your lab hours? For discussion/ debate on research specific subjects, I still can do this with both of my supervisors, apparently, both of them are not always free to 'entertain' me, alternatively, I registered myself on few discussion board online related to my research study where I can share my thought with others who share the same interest. I also enjoy the benefit of extra hours focusing on my assignment or modify my coding to perfection, due to fact that nobody really interested to have a chat or looking after me!

hi shani
thanks for your opinion. I got the mixed feeling of both actually; between ignoring and condescension. On the second thought, I guess it's just me, you know. Maybe my lab-mates just too busy, after all, doing PhD requires deep thinking, or they just plain busy with their assignment while I'm here complaining about them. So, I guess I should stop complaining, continue with the assignment and enjoy life as it is!

(Part 3)
As for know, I'm still happy with my life here, blessed with a cute 7 months baby girl and a helpful wife who also doing her PhD study as well, I really enjoy live in this country as we'll be here for only 3 years. I also have my fellow countrymen whose studying here as well. Recently, made some new friends at the place where I work as part-timer. I'm very happy and comfortable talking with my ugly boss, fat supervisor and 3 somalians at my workplace rather than put on my own effort to have a conversation with my lab mates.

Back to the topic, to put it in short word, I just want to share with you guys that I have a very understanding boss, and that's it...

(Part 2)
I've also allocated a workstation inside my supervisor's lab. There are many other international students and few local as well. However, since the day I was in the lab, I don't think they are really comfortable with me. You know, came from a country which Jeremy Clarkson refer as a 'jungle', I assume it must be something to do with my third world country mentality and the way i present myself to my lab mates. The annoying part is, they pretend as if they did not see me walk past through them, even at a time there are only two of us. A friendly smile reply with a sour face, a friendly question, for the sake to keep the conversation started replied with a single line of words! My previous bosses, and current boss as well always thought me to be humble wherever and whoever you are, especially in research business. I guess this is the new 'trend' of a modern researcher.

Hi guys,

I would like to share my experience after 4 months started my PhD life. I've made a good choice of my main supervisor. He's a genius, considerably one of the best in this field of studies, with big grant from government and companies, even my senior which did his study 20++ years ago regretted for not choosing him as his supervisor during his PhD study. As a man with lots of experience and knowledge, I can sense that he guide me in the right direction. Once in every 2-3 weeks, we will have a review meeting on my progress with co-supervisor. I've no problem with both of them and the system.

(Part 1)