Expectations of trainees

1. Trainees take ownership, responsibility and pro-active control over their own research progress, the quality of their data, skill development and learnings. They keep in mind that time is short and they may enter a competitive career environment after they leave our lab. They use their time to prepare, making the best use of the resources available, including mentorship, courses, opportunities for professional development, etc.

2. Trainees receive a minimum salary/stipend of $55K for postdocs, $33K/y for grads, $24K/y for undergrads. Trainees apply for fellowships/stipends/awards each year, for example via the Graduate Award Competition (GAC) and - if they have Canadian PR or citizenship - NSERC competitions. In addition, grads and postdocs receive compensation of costs, once during their tenure, of purchasing (up to $1,000) a computer, laptop or tablet. Trainees spend at least 35 hours per week on their work, while maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Occasionally, during some weeks or months (for example during field work or to get something GREAT done), it is important to spend more hours. Trainees are allowed 20 days of paid leave each year. More can be negotiated, for example (1) for personal reasons, (2) for compensating long hours, or (3) if excellent progress has been realized. Undergraduate Summer Interns are allowed up to 5 days of paid leave.

3. Trainees study the 500 questions and are ready to answer them either when they defend their thesis (for MSc students), or take their candidacy exam (for PhD students).

4. Trainees spend 0.5 day per week (or 1/10 of their time) reading or broadening and/or deepening their understanding/knowledge/skills beyond their narrower research projects. This also includes professional development and career planning.

5. Trainees participate in monthly lab cleanups, follow lab rules and perform lab and other duties assigned to them. On average these contributions to the common good can add up to 0.5 day per week (or 1/10 of their time).

6. Trainees spend about 0.5 day per week (or 1/10 of their time) in one-on-one and group meetings combined.

7. Trainees actively participate (present, ask questions, participate in discussion) in the group meetings, other team meetings and on slack. When they cannot make a meeting in exceptional cases, they send their regrets (via slack or email).

8. Trainees have a one-on-one scheduled meeting with their mentors(s) every one to three weeks. The trainee creates the agenda. In addition to research progress, meetings also cover career objectives, mental health issues, reflection on progress, mentorship needs and any other matters they would like to discuss. Mentor(s) provide honest feedback.

9. Occasionally, at most once per year, trainees serve on a Selection Committee for recruitment and selection of new colleagues. This is a time investment of about one week.

10. Trainees complete at least one “creative work” each year, as the main/first author. A creative work can be a paper published in a peer-reviewed journal, a patent application, or a major teaching, outreach or other project, depending on the trainee’s career objectives. A PhD student is expected to have two papers published and one submitted upon defending their thesis. Trainees present their work at a national or international conference or symposium at least once per two years.

11. Postdoctoral scholars participate in supervision of graduate students. Graduate students participate in supervision of undergraduate summer students. At the start of these “ad hoc” supervisory arrangements, the scope and procedures of the arrangement are set in a joint discussion.

12. Trainees maintain a lab journal. Lab journals are the property of the lab and stay with the lab when the trainee leaves. It is recommended to maintain an electronic journal on Github, or another repository shared with the rest of the lab.

13. Graduate students have a personal desk in shared office EEEL563. Postdoctoral scholars and staff have a personal desk in shared offices EEEL508, 509 or 512. Undergrads have a desk depending on availability.

14. Trainees receive lab bench area in EEEL557. Each trainee’s personal lab area is quite small (~1m). However, because generally only a few trainees are active in the lab at the same time, other trainees’ space is generally available as overflow. Trainees keep their space tidy and free of clutter, so that it is available as overflow to others.

15. The mentor(s) support trainees with reference letters, to maximize success in grant applications and job applications. The trainees help the supervisor write powerful reference letters by providing information on their achievements. Trainees help each other prepare for job interviews by staging mock interviews and providing feedback on presentations. After team members leave the lab and start their new position, the supervisor is still available to provide advice.