Currently an undergrad in an orgo research lab (5 months in) and could use some advice on how to handle my situation.
I joined the lab because I’m genuinely interested in this sort of research. The PI has been supportive but I feel like I'm not getting much from my post doc mentor. They seem really busy and not very engaged in mentoring. They're often late to meet me when we've decided to meet at a certain time, and about 1/3 of the time we do meet, all I'm doing is writing reactions in my notebook and not actually learning lab skills by watching/participating in those reactions being carried out. I’ve tried asking questions and being proactive, but I'm not getting much. The past months have kind of made me feel like my time isn't being used as effectively as it should.
When I asked when I should come in for the summer since I'm pretty much very free, they sort of hinted at the idea that I shouldn't come (they replied "Undergrads aren't typically here in the summer"/"I don't know"), despite the fact that I asked the PI for permission weeks ago and the PI agreed.
I feel like I'm likely being more annoying than someone who actually wants to contribute once they gain the enough skills. So I understand I need training. But right now it feels like I’m stuck because I don’t have enough guidance to build those skills within a practical timeframe (at least at the rate this is going), but I also can’t do anything without those skills.