Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Asking for recommendation letters

This is collated from multiple emails and based on what Johnathan Eisen has posted before on asking for letters of recommendation (LORs):

1. Writing recommendation letters is part of our job and I am happy to do it. However while asking for these it is highly advised to follow the guidelines below (some points are more valid for Bachelors and Masters students, while others more for PhD students/postdocs).
2. Give me one week notice AT LEAST. Please do not ask for a letter 24 hours before it is due. I will be unable to help you.
3. When asking for the LOR, ensure you send me an updated curriculum vitae (CV). Even if we have worked together for many years, some information will be contained in your CV that I perhaps did not know. Your CV gives me this background, that helps me write a better letter. So help me, to help you.
4. Please describe the programme/job/position you are applying for and your motivation/suitability. Please don't make me search the world wide web to find it. It WILL delay the LOR.
5. Help me write the letter, especially if you are applying to an academic position (e.g. postdoc, professorship etc.). If the letter needs to be sent as a hard-copy, by Post, you should provide me an envelope with the address written, so all I need to do is add my letter and send it off. If the submission is by web- or email means, ensure to provide me with detailed instructions and links, as the case might be.
6. Don’t attempt to bribe me (although so far it has not happened!) You also do not need to pay me. See the Point #1.
7. There are other members in the lab - PhD students, (maybe) postdocs. In case you consider asking them, please ensure that the organization you are sending it to, needs one from them, or from your professor.
8. Do NOT list me as a reference for anything without at least asking first.
9. Your performance in my lab/class/internship will heavily determine my LOR. Consider it a form of karmic justice. IF you have had clear feedback that I am unhappy, then asking me for such a letter is perhaps inappropriate.

Submitting our work to a conference, publication or job application

In case you are excited to talk about the work you have done in the lab, you MUST consult me first and provide a copy of the material (abstract, title, affiliation, credit) that you plan to present. This is because all work we do in our lab is team-work. So whether you believe it or not, you need to consult your supervisor (me). This is part of the institute ethics that you signed up for.

Indeed especially if you are an alumnus (former member) of the lab, usually we have an agreement (either verbal or written/email) about what work you can take with you. If the work was done here, in IISER Pune, and it is unpublished it would be common courtesey to simply write to me asking if I'm ok with you publishing it elsewhere. At time you may apply to other labs with such projects- again the same rule applies.

Credit in papers

When your work has resulted in a discovery or invention, we are most excited to discuss it with the world. Be it in the form of a patent or research paper. The decision of how to write, where to send, author credit is taken in consultation with me, your supervisor. We follow the most fair system possible. If you have a sense of dispute or disagreement, feel free to come and talk it out. However, the CREDIT taxonomy applies- i.e. people are on the paper if they contributed either method, figure/data, results, interpretation, funding gathering, writing or key insights.