How to deal as a PhD student with a working colleague who is doing private business during working hours

Question

I am new to a small team (4-5 people) at a research group. Naturally, I depend on others showing me how many things work at the office (it is my first experience working at a university after all).

However, the professor as well as most of my colleagues decided to work from home (which means I am usually alone at the office). Sometimes, one of the other PhD students is around. However, since the professor is not at the office, he uses the time to do private business and trade cryptocurrency in the research lab. This side business is a business he founded with his friends; it is not related to our research. Usually I would not mind, since it is none of my business, but it bothers me for two reasons:

1. Actually, since I am new to the working group, I would expect him to explain to me the state of his research and how the methods that he uses work, so that we can collaborate (we share some projects together and, after all, I think this is what a working group is for)
2. This student is paid by the tax money of my fellow citizens. And he uses the infrastructure (office, building, etc.) to conduct his own business. I think this is not fair.

Also, when I try to have some scientific discussions he blocks it off as he is either busy with his own research or with his side business.

I don't want to be the one who goes to the professor and tells her what other students are doing. However, I want a working atmosphere where people actually do research and not private business. Also, I really don't want to dictate other PhD students what to do with their time. Is there any good way to handle this?

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The answers until now suggest that it is only something between the student and the professor. But I disagree. Scientific work has always been done together. It cannot be expected from newcomers to exactly know how to do specific scientific research if no one ever showed them how to do it. (And being a student and being a PhD student are still two different things.) Usually in labs you are being taught how the simplest microscope works. Why should it be different with methods that work solely on a computer?

In many books and dissertations the authors thank their coworkers and supervisors for 'fruitful discussions'. And also if those words are often spoken out of politeness, I'd say it is one of the main pillars of scientific research. As one professor recently said in an interview (here: 34:30):

Unfortunately, it is often forgotten that science is a social endeavour. Because often people think of the big intellectuals when they think about science, who sit at their desk and crank out their monographs [...]. However, this is only a part of what it means to do science, but which of course in the public opinion replaces (German: übertünchen) what science really is. Namely, a cooperative undertaking."

"Wissenschaft ist eine soziale Praxis. Das wird leider sehr oft vergessen, weil oft denkt man bei Wissenschaft an die großen Intellektuellen in ihren Schreibstuben, die irgendwelche Monographien raushauen alle paar Jahre. Das ist wirklich nur ein Randsegment der Wissenschaft, das aber natürlich in der öffentlichen Wahrnehmung übertüncht was eigentlich die wissenschaftliche Praxis ist. Das ist ein kooperatives Unternehmen."

When it is not written on other publications, monographs, etc. it is because it is taken for granted.

Answer 1

since it is none of my business

It's none of your business. Leave it alone.

I would expect him to explain to me the state of his research and how the methods work

Are you asking questions? If not, ask questions. If you need help, ask for help. If you're unable to get the help you need, that is something that is your business and worth raising with your professor.

If the other student is not making progress on their research, this will be evident to the professor over time. Perhaps they're putting in more productive hours at other times of the day, on weekends, etc. In any event, it's not necessary to police "time on task" during standard business hours to track progress, and if the student falls behind it's ultimately their own research that suffers. It's not your business.

Answer 2

It is absolutely not your business how other people use their time. The other PhD student owes you absolutely nothing. They're not your advisor, nor are you entitled to their time, or entitled to get any of your questions answered— they're not your babysitter, they're not paid to teach you, and they're certainly not paid to work on any specific time schedule. Academic research isn't a job where you clock in and clock out according to a schedule— it has flexibility, and people use that.

Stop focusing on spying on other people and start focusing on getting results yourself.

Answer 3

"I want a working atmosphere" - Covid has done a lot of damage to the tradition of sitting together and sweating together. Some people are more productive at home, others less so. And this also changed the social pressure of mutual "supervision". Results have become more important than "being seen to be doing work", or, in short "busywork".

You have no idea how productive your fellow student is. Some people do in two days what others need weeks for (definitely not an exaggeration, especially in theoretical/programming fields!). As a prof, I would give such people as much leeway as I can muster.

In short, it is not your business to interfere in. If you need something concrete from them, ask. If you do not get the suitable support, ask your supervisor; they are paid to solve this.

Answer 4

I understand and agree all the other answers, but I want to add the following: it sounds as if your expectations of the lab/working environment do not match with reality. And, going by what you write, it is implied that maybe you are not as successful/productive as you can be because you don’t have as much interaction as you’d expected. Now these things are something you can discuss with your supervisor, but then make sure you have your talking points straight. And from what I gather they are: you miss support and supervision. What is the best way forward? Maybe your supervisor expects you to find out more stuff independently. Maybe they never told the other student to help you here and there. The point is, you don’t know. So approach the conversation from this angle, about your progress and your output and happiness at work. Then listen very carefully to what you cl get back and ask yourself if you can prosper in the reality of this particular work place.

Answer 5

Partly the answer to this is going to depend on what country you are in, because the legal and social status of a PhD student is quite different in different countries.

In some countries (notably many mainland European counties), a PhD student is an employee. Probably they have designated hours when they are "on the clock", and a set of written down duties, which may or may not included helping more junior members of the lab. In this case, working on another business during office hours and failing to meet ones own duties is a breach of this contract.

However, in most places a student is not an employee, they are a student. In fact, legally speaking, the student is employing the professor to provide skills and training. The professor may only agree to provide these under certain conditions, but that is between the professor and the student, unless the student is being actively abusive to another indevidual. Certainly the student may do whatever work they like whenever they like, unless told otherwise. Look at it this way - if they decided to work from home like everyone else, you'd be in an even worse place.

Now, that is the official position. These are the responsibilities people must observe. That does mean that this is the optimal situation. A well functioning research team should be a collegial and collaborative place. But you can't legislate for it, it can only occur through long cultivation of the right culture.

So what can you do? Ignore the people telling you to be self sufficient. If you are in a lab setting, such self-sufficiency is often more or less impossible. The only person who definitely has any official responsibilities to you is your supervisor. Go to them. Say "I need help doing X", "things are going okay, but it is slow going because i can't find anything in the lab" . If they say "ask Y to help you", then, any only then can you say "I asked Y, but they didn't want to help me" or maybe even "they said they were too busy doing Z to help me" if you are pushed.

Answer 6

Let me state firstly that I completely do not want to take the side of someone like your colleague. But I get a feeling that you're being a bit too hasty with wanting to complain. Your motivations are from a perspective of academic integrity which is admirable in isolation.

But consider that you would be injecting yourself into a matter completely between the other student and the supervisor. You can't possibly know the whole picture when you complain - resulting in possibly serious repercussions for your colleague, who could possibly be fulfilling all the demands of your supervisor till your complaint.

Also, when I try to have some scientific discussions he blocks it

This is the only thing you can reasonably complain about, if and only if it's his responsibility to show you the ropes of how things work in the lab. If it isn't, it's your supervisor's responsibility to figure out that their funding is being used irresponsibly.

However, I want a working atmosphere where people actually do research

But if their output is sufficient according to the supervisor, it's not their responsibility to give you one. It's frustrating but it's ultimately not something they care about, and it falls on the supervisor and not you to deal with it during hiring and contract negotiations.

Answer 7

By this post, as well as your other posts and comments, it seems you have a very specific idea in mind of what the PhD/academic experience should be.

I will tell you as I had to tell my young children on the playground, while it would be nice if they did, other kids have no obligation to play with you or share their toys. In the same way, forcing your senior colleagues to interact with you will not foster a sense of comradery, it will likely (as may already be happening) annoy them and lead to further avoidance.

Because you have placed such high value on this aspect, you should seek out a different research group with a dynamic that meets your expectations. The warning I would issue with that approach is that the group dynamic is often a function of the members, so while you may join a group that suits your needs at the time, the dynamic may change as more senior members leave and newer ones join. Though presumably as you become a more senior member, you can become more proactive in setting the tone for day-to-day activities.

Answer 8

I will only address this aspect of your question (which the other answers have mostly ignored), that this other student is using their time at the office to work on "private business"

Depending on the local culture and policies (i.e. of the group, institute, university, or country), this can range from totally acceptable to totally unacceptable. In general, academia is quite relaxed on these matters, emphasizing results rather than working hours. This is especially true in the US, which explains the perspective of the other answers here.

But not everywhere is so informal. For example, in industry, "private business" during working hours is usually banned. Indeed, using your work time and the company computer to do work for another company or your own startup idea, is usually grounds for being fired. Academic jobs in some places (e.g. Europe) tend to have more formal working contracts, like those in industry (although the extent to which people actually take this seriously depends heavily on the particular institute or research group).

If you seriously suspect that this student is doing something inappropriate, and that your supervisor does not already know about it, then you can politely mention this to your supervisor, and let them handle it.

I stress that this has nothing to do with the "working environment" aspect of your question, to which I defer to the other answers. But if you genuinely believe this other student is doing something wrong or illegal, then just report it.

Answer 9

In a PhD program, self-sufficiency is not just expected. It is essential. If you cannot independently manage your research, learn new techniques on your own, and drive your projects forward without constant supervision, then a PhD is not for you. Relying on another student, who is also navigating their own challenges, is unrealistic and unfair. This program demands a high level of autonomy, resilience, and self-motivation. If you find yourself struggling to meet these demands, it may be a clear indication that you are not suited for the rigorous and independent nature of PhD studies. Pursuing a PhD requires a relentless drive and the ability to overcome obstacles on your own. If you are not prepared to meet these standards, it is best to reconsider your path.

Answer 10

I would expect your university, like all universities, has a code of conduct, check with your HR or graduate service office about your code of conduct and policies regarding private consulting, part-time work for PhD, and using University resources for private business, it should be very clear this trading crypto on University time and devices is in preach of Policy or Code of conduct. At my university PhD students are basically treated as staff and this would be a breach of the code of conduct without a doubt!

Also, ask yourself, what is your legal liability? Is the crypto trading they are conducting even legal in your country? Are you liable or in breach of policy for not reporting a colleague for conducting illegal activities utilising University resources?

In regards to the collaborative working culture (or lack of) in your lab, I would recommend leaving ASAP. You sound like you are very interested in learning and research, so I recommend finding a lab with a collaborative supportive culture, and do you due diligence in finding such a lab, and don't join unless there is evidence of an environment and culture you value.

Also, if you are in an industry that has a high employment rate, skip the PhD and move into industry, 3 years experience in industry is worth more than a PhD in many industries.

If you have your heart set on being an academic, good luck! but I'd skip it, after doing a PhD and working for 10 years I have realised it was totally pointless, as the real work and innovation happens in industry.

Answer 11

I agree that a student using university lab facilities for private business is unacceptable - unless of course they have prior approval from the PI to do so. I agree also with your observation that your colleague is already paid (albeit not as much as in industry) via the taxpayers to do his research work.

This is the nub of the matter: does your colleague have the approval of the supervising professor to use departmental research facilities in the manner that they do ? What people generally do in this type of situation is to run the matter by the manager (here, your supervisor) and see how they react. A viable scenario for dropping this hint to your supervising professor was outlined by Ian Sudbury in his answer above.

The last thing I want to do here is blunt your moral sensibility vis-à-vis honesty in the use of time and university resources by researchers: sadly, few academics possess such a virtue.

Yet I have to advise you - from bitter personal experience - that academia is a human environment where self-centredness and self-promotion usually get the better of duty and fairness. Those of us who have a strong, perhaps overriding, sense of right and wrong will always feel disturbed by this aspect of academia - at least when it occurs in our department and especially in our research group. It is an area for which universities nominally possess the management instruments to control but for internal political and competency reasons find themselves unable or unwilling to do so.

If you want a career in academia you will be facing this again in future. If you do not want to have to deal with this, it's likely that academia would be a poor career choice for you.

After running the situation by your supervisor, you have two scenarios.

1. The supervisor limits or stops your colleague's infidelity to his research work and the colleague continues (sulkily as his income is now substantially reduced) to work in the lab beside you.

2. The supervisor refuses to restrict your colleague or vaguefies upon the matter of your colleague's infidelity.

In the first case, you may have an enemy beside you all day if the professor continues to work from home.

In the second case, you have to work hard and without support from your colleague.

I appreciate that you justly feel that having worked hard to arrive where you are that you are a victim of a great unfairness and inconvenience if your professor gave you to understand that support from colleagues would be there but it is not available.

It might well be that you find it easier and more tolerable to seek to do your PhD elsewhere. Liberal arts colleges often have a more supportive human environment. You must realize of course that in such colleges you yourself will be expected to provide support to younger PhD candidates as you advance along your own program.

Answer 12

I'm not sure whether or not I'm answering the question intended or a different question but most people have to schedule doctors appointments, do financial business, talk to insurance companies, other boring regular stuff, during business hours. They're not open after work. So officially it's not allowed but unofficially it's mandatory. Most people don't take a day off to schedule a doctors appointment. So if it's that kind of personal business, then yeah, of course it's done during work hours.

Answer 13

You need to become more self-sufficient. If working here is truly unfeasible due to a lack of support from that individual, it's time to consider a different topic.

I feel like you come across as someone people tend to avoid, making it difficult for others to thrive because of your judgmental and self-righteous attitude.