Staffing the Lab Beth Levant, Ph.D. Nov. 13, 2008

Who to Hire Budget  What can you afford?  Plan your recruitment package budget to include laboratory staff, not just equipment and supplies Skill mix  What do you need people to do? Lab manager Semi-independent scientist Technical expert General purpose technician Low skill activities  Which techniques can you teach?  Which techniques need to be brought to the lab? Hire the best people for your needs

Lab Personnel QualificationsCostAdvantagesDisadvantages Research Assistant Bachelors or comparable experience $ K + fringes Research Associate Masters or significant experience $32-48 K + fringes More skills and experience than Res. Asst. Postdoc Overseen by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs: mc.edu/aa/pa/ Ph.D. University: $30-45 K + fringes NIH: $37+ ~2 K/year of experience + fringes More Autonomous Able to generate ideas, write, and supervise Eligible for fellowships Student Lab Assistant Currently enrolled $8-12/hr.No fringes or HR paperwork Flexible scheduling Only paid when they work Not readily available on this campus Hard to meet regulatory requirements

How to Hire Consult an expert – your Dept. Admin. KUMC HR info  Policies & Procedures  New Hire info  What to do on your New Hire’s first day Post position with HR Advertise Interview Check references – call and talk with them if possible Permanent or Contract?  First 6 months are probationary

Managing the Lab Communicate EXPLICIT expectations  Structure of the work day  What’s to be accomplished and when  What can be expected  How to work with you Give timely feedback Reward good work  Get to know individuals and what’s important to them Annual evaluation  Not required, but a good idea Areas of strength Areas for improvement Your goals for the year Their current and long term goals Problem performance  Act promptly  Keep documentation  Get advice from colleagues and your Dept. Admin.  Terminate if necessary

KUMC Supervisor Responsibilities Safety Training – required for all employees  Initial and annual refresher  Radiation safety, if appropriate Animal/Human subjects training  Initial and annual refresher  Add new personnel to protocols by addendum Conflict of interest declarations Employee health and safety  Instruct personnel regarding the specific hazards in their workplace  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Must be provided in all instances where needed, specific to the particular hazard Employees must know that the PPE is there and be instructed in its use  Immunizations for hazards in the lab – Occupational Health  Radiation exposure monitoring – Safety Office  Lab injuries – Occupational Health