Feng Shui for New Labs. image from sciencecareers.sciencemag.com

Transcription

1 Feng Shui for New Labs image from sciencecareers.sciencemag.com

2 The steps of starting a new lab Before the second visit After you accept, before you arrive Right after you arrive The next few months Onward to the future.

3 For the second visit Make sure to talk to your current advisor about what you can take

4 For the second visit Make a list of what you want in your startup package: major equipment, facilities salaries (yours and a technician s) Don t be afraid to ask for everything you want - THIS is your big opportunity moving expenses, help finding spouse s job, etc

5 Before you arrive Get floor plans of the lab space plan renovations if needed and push hard to get them done!

6 Before you arrive Make sure your lab space is ready if it s not, make sure you have good temporary space

7 Before you arrive Contact other recent hires to get their advice

8 Before you arrive Have a primary contact at your new department

9 Before you arrive Send ahead reagents, animals, etc

10 Before you arrive Find out what surplus equipment is available

11 Before you arrive Find out how to purchase stuff, get a purchasing card if available

12 Before you arrive -$$$= Get accounts with Fisher/VWR/etc and find out about startup discounts

13 Before you arrive Start buying reagents, glassware, etc.

14 Before you arrive 2/9/05 2/14/05 coldroom Fisher Carbenicillin Disodium salt BP C 1 g 1 $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 to be washed Fisher Carboy, Nalgene Rectangular 9 L A $ $ /9/05 2/16/05 lab Fisher Cart, Rubbermaid Heavy Duty Plastic 24x36x $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Chloroform Molecular biology BP C 1 L 1 $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Citric Acid Anhydrous ACS A C 1 kg 1 $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 freezer Fisher Cooler, Nalgene labtop enzyme cooler 32 tube capacity $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Cover Glasses, Fisherbrand 22x22mm, # B $ 2.95 $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Cover Glasses, Fisherbrand 22x60mm, # J $ 7.98 $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Cuvets, disposable plastic 1.5 ml, polystyrene $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Drierite Absorbant indicating, 5 lb B $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher EDTA liquid, for DNA work BP C 500 ml 1 $ $ /9/05 2/21/05 flammables Fisher Ethanol 95% CDA19 histological A406P-4 87C 4 liters 1 $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Ethidium Bromide 1% solution BP C 10 ml 1 $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Filters, Costar SpinX centrifugal devices cellulose acetate, sterile, 0.2!M $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Filters, Millipore Syringe Filters 0.2!m, PVDF sterile, 33 mm SLGV 033 RS $ $ apes, 45 mm neck, 500 ml, /9/05 2/11/05 storage room Fisher Filters, Nalgene Sterile Disposable Bottletop 0.2!m V $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 in lab Fisher Flame Burners, Fisher Adjustable Natural gas $ $ /9/05 2/11/05 lab Fisher Flask Lead Rings, Fisherbrand Covered 250 to 1000 ml $ $ Keep a database of what you ve ordered and when it arrives

15 Before you arrive Get a laptop and a cell phone!

16 Before you arrive Get going on paperwork: animal, radioactivity, human specimen approvals

17 Right after you arrive Hire an assistant to help you unpack/set up

18 Right after you arrive Stay organized: plasmid, oligo, etc. databases!

19 Right after you arrive Continue ordering

20 Right after you arrive Don t be afraid to order from non-science vendors

21 Right after you arrive For big equipment purchases (microscopes, centrifuges, etc), the company support staff is key - talk to colleagues

22 Right after you arrive Make sure to get waste disposal procedures in place radioactivity, biohazard, chemicals, etc

23 Right after you arrive Be social - get to know your lab neighbors and your departmental colleagues

24 The next few months Start doing experiments ASAP helps you get over your new lab anxiety helps you figure out what equipment/reagents you re missing!

25 The next few months Recruit grad students and postdocs - participate in any recruitment activities that are available

26 The next few months Find a technician - work with HR and ask around/post notices too

27 Onward to the future Don t be afraid to fire people if they aren t working out, but give them a warning first

28 Onward to the future New investigator grants - less money than an RO1, but a LOT less work to write!

29 Onward to the future Find mentors to give you advice on science, grants, students and postdocs, etc.

30 More questions for me?