Jumping ship

Everybody is leaving.

The wonderful technician in my postdoc lab left a few weeks ago to start grad school.  I'm happy for him to start the new phase in his life, and I think he will be a very successful student.  At the same time, I was so sorry to see him go.  He was my scientific buddy in the lab, as our interests were more similar than to the other lab members.  We also got along very well personally.  Fortunately, I think we'll stay in touch, and might even have opportunities to collaborate while he's in school.

The other postdoc in my postdoc lab is also about to leave.  She found a full time position in industry after just short of a year in her postdoc.  I think the new job will be a great match for her, but we'll be fucked without her skill set around (PI will replace her, but he has made no moves to do so yet).  In addition, she breathes life into the social atmosphere of the lab, so things will be a lot more dry after she's gone.  On the other hand, she tends to be a bit of a drama queen and I don't think I'll miss that component of her personality so much.

Lastly and most disappointing, Awesome Technician is leaving.  I'm devastated and so is Research Advisor.  I'll be lucky if I ever work with someone as competent, nice, consistent, positive, and non-judgmental as her again.  It's going to have a huge impact on the productivity of RA's lab.  She is leaving for a better compensated position in an area she has wanted to get into for a long time so I am happy for her even if I'm super sad to see her go.

Time marches on.