Navigating the maze of a new lab setup

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Navigating the maze of a new lab setup
Karie Scrogin, Ph.D. Dept. of Pharmacology Loyola
University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine
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Negotiating Lab Space     How much leverage
do you have?    Have your own vision   Trust
your instincts
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Negotiating Lab Space contd
Your future employer may be torn between
recruiting you and staying within budget. Make
sure you get what it takes to run a successful
research program. Dont let them talk you into
something you dont want and cant use.
Negotiate for what you need. Dont base
decisions on promises of future space.
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Renovation   Can you?   Whats the limit?
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Renovation considerations   Type of research
molecular/biochemical vs. whole
animal   Desk space at benches alternative
space for students or
post-docs?   Knee holes vs. drawer space   Cell
culture facility   Dont forget the fridge and
freezer!!
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Renovation considerations contd
How many sinks to you really need?   Do you
really need all those doors?   Small rooms are
great   Lighting   Furniture   Storage
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Equipment   The list!   Dont buy anything
until you get there   Dont buy what you can
borrow Investigate core facilities before
buying   Microscopes   Find the New
Investigator Deals   Negotiate with the major
suppliers
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Colleagues   What have they got that you can
have/borrow Retirees (be sensitive!)   What
can you bring with you?
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Animal Facilities   Location vs. your lab   CMF
policy on animal housing   Procedural
considerations   Telemetry   Imaging   Beha
vioral Studies
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Good Questions to Ask   How long is the bank
open?   Is lab furniture included in
start-up?   Is office furniture included in
start-up?   How much space do others have and
how is it utilized?   Does space allocation
change with changing funding? How fast?
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Things Ive learned
Its a slow painful process that requires
patience, perseverance and a lot of time and
effort. It may take up to a year to get things
going smoothly. Dont take your frustrations out
on the administrators. Dont forget about your
other non-research obligations. Be careful,
decisions made now can affect your
research career for years to come.