Expectations of Basic Science Research Advisors

Faculty who mentor graduate students and postdocs should commit the following to each member of their group. Trainees and advisors should discuss these points and come to a mutual understanding of their expectations. Faculty are encouraged to develop a general expectations/lab guide document (that covers not only expectations of lab members but also expectations of the mentor) to share with their lab members.

• Take responsibility for understanding and creating a safe and respectful work environment
  • Professional and respectful interactions
  • Student concerns taken seriously and addressed promptly
  • Adhere to applicable HR and University workplace policies (e.g. reporting, safety, ethics, accommodating disabilities, etc.)
  • Be an example of responsible and rigorous pursuit of research
  • Be familiar with professionalism standards and reasonably accommodate personal expression and culture
  • Monitor the group climate and provide educational and training resources for each member
• Have realistic and flexible expectations for research time vs. personal time
  • Avoid demands for consistently excessive hours/day or days/week (incl. after-hours communication)
  • Typical schedules have reduced hours nights and weekends, with some work off-site
  • Reasonable vacation days (12 days/year minimum with flexibility), sick days (12 days/year min with accommodation for serious health issues), and holidays appropriate to the individual (e.g. religious holidays, major US holidays) each year
  • Accommodation for external demands on time (e.g. family care, life events) and for any unforeseen or unique needs of the trainee (e.g. disability)
• Meet regularly with the trainee to discuss research and training progress
  • Frequency determined for each advisor-student pair; avoid frequent cancellations
  • Avoid mandatory meetings outside standard work hours of 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri
• Be responsive to requests for assistance, feedback, or information
  • Reasonable turnaround times for manuscript drafts, posters, or talk feedback
  • Facilitate access to training and resources essential for the project (expertise, equipment, space, etc.)
  • Responsive to email queries in reasonable time during normal work hours
• Provide equitable opportunities for professional growth and visibility
  • Speaking at departmental events, presenting at conferences, authorship opportunities, etc.
  • Opportunities are provided without favoritism and with transparent criteria
  • Accommodate trainee time for long-term career development and professional skill building
  • Accommodate trainee time for service, leadership, and community engagement
• Engage in their trainee’s short and long-term career development
  • Identify gaps in the trainee’s expertise and recommend resources and activities to address those gaps
  • Provide opportunities for the trainee to grow professionally and achieve their career goals
  • Help the trainee balance their career development/leadership activities with research responsibilities
  • Cooperatively develop clear and reasonable training and long-term career goals. Employ and regularly discuss/update Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
  • Accommodate degree/program requirements and schedules (time to prepare, study, write, etc.)
• Keep trainees adequately and accurately informed of their standing
  • Any serious performance issues raised promptly with opportunity and guidance to correct them
  • Risks to funding shared with impacted trainees as far in advance as possible of any significant impacts (4-6 weeks minimum)
  • No termination from the lab without early notice and opportunity to address concerns

Students who feel that one or more of these expectations are routinely disregarded in a way that negatively impacts their research and academic progress or well-being can seek assistance and advice from program leaders. Those leaders include members of the thesis committee, the Director of Graduate Studies, the relevant Department Chair or Center Director, Directors in the Office of Graduate Education, the Graduate School, and others.