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 PersonnelQualifications Cost Advantages Disadvantages

Research Assistant

Bachelors or comparable experience

$25-37.5 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: http://www2.kumc.edu/aa/pa/

Ph.D. University: $30-45 K+ fringesNIH: $37+ ~2 K/yearof 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

http://www2.kumc.edu/hr/employ/employment.html Policies & Procedures

http://www2.kumc.edu/hr/admin/admin.html New Hire info

http://www2.kumc.edu/hr/orientation/oMain.html What to do on your New Hire’s first day

http://www2.kumc.edu/hr/orientation/oCheckList.html

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