Working with Temporary Research StaffFaculty

1
Working with Temporary Research Staff/Faculty

• Dr. Eric Thompson
• Director, Bureau of Business Research
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• ethompson2_at_unl.edu

2
Introduction

• Smaller research centers often employ few (if
  any) permanent research staff.
• This presentation explores the advantages and
  challenges of employing temporary personnel on a
  project to project basis.
• Use of temporary personnel may become
  particularly useful at a time of declining
  University budgets.

3
Introduction

• Types of External Resources
• University Faculty
• Non-University Researchers
• Graduate Students

4
University Faculty

• Advantages
• Capable of taking the lead on the project or
  parts of the project.
• Challenges
• 1) More difficult to find research that interests
  the faculty/has potential to lead to publication.
• 2) Typically required a 6 to 9 month time frame
  at a minimum.
• 3) Difficult to pay faculty during the school
  year.

5
Non-University Researchers

• Advantage
• 1) Able to work on shorter time frames.
• 2) May have an interest on working on
  projects of all types.
• Disadvantages
• 1) Difficult to identify and cultivate persons
  capable on taking the lead on project, or parts
  of the project.
• 2) Given 1) above, may not fully commit to
  project and project deadlines.

6
Graduate Students

• Advantage
• 1) There is often an abundant supply of very
  capable graduate students.
• 2) A good opportunity to contribute to the
  education mission of the University.
• Disadvantages
• 1) Some faculty may feel that the research
  center is using students for consulting.
• 2) Students will require substantial guidance,
  particularly at first.
• 3) Given school responsibilities, many will not
  fully commit to project and project deadlines.

7
Summary

• Summary Points
• 1) It is better to have permanent staff.
• 2) But, it may be effective to work with
  temporary staff on a project by project basis.
• - Doing so requires a substantial commitment to
  cultivating relationships, or training students.
• - These commitments are not necessarily
  greater than some of the time commitments
  necessary with permanent staff.