dear freeks
it's ups and downs, and definitely is utterly dependent on who the PI is.
i started out: insanely driven, intimidatingly smart PI with nary a care but that you were in the lab churning out data. totally appreciated the need for a vacation, published tons (i've been in nature and cell and have 18 publications)
2nd PI: total idiot. flush with grant money but no idea how to use it effectively. did not appreciate the need for vacation but knew people only like to work 9-5 M-F. we only published twice in crappy journals after i took charge. likely going to lose funding in a few years.
3rd PI: former post-doc from 1st PI. complete balance.. super smart, very knowledgable, motivated, completely knows life is more important than work, normal schedule, vacations ok. we're in line to publish at least twice this year, about to get a grant
if you have any questions or would still consider a PhD, let me know. lots of dumb people slog through this shit. it IS possible.
!@#$%