Hello all!

I'm a Masters student in biological sciences, just thought I'd introduce myself!

I came on here to ask for advice about how to cope as a Masters student in a lab where there are no other students PHD or Masters just postdocs and research assisstants.

I'm currently struggling to find my feet in the research group, partly down to vague guidance from my supervising professor and partly because the research project I am doing I have no background in whatsoever.

I was told to get help from one of the newer postdocs but I feel like I'm annoying him now with my constant questions, it doesn't help that I don't have my own allotted lab stuff like chemicals, pipettes etc and therefore constantly asking where things are and if I can have some when I run out. Plus the postdoc seems to have taken it upon himself to give me little jobs to do even though I should be looking at the data for my project.

Also the project I was given, the data for it is also being looked at by the postdoc and I can't really compete therefore he tends to find stuff first, I have nothing else that I am working on at the moment.

I just feel massively inadequate in this lab and don't feel like I've really fitted in, despite coming in regularly and working as hard as I can. I have a feeling I'm annoying the postdoc with my questions but I don't really have anyone else to ask, aside from my supervisor who thinks I'm stupid anyway so I don't really want to confirm that idea.

I have done research projects before but this one seems to be causing massive amounts of anxiety and stress and I can't pin down why to address the problem. :-(