Setting Up a Research Lab

Laboratory Positions

A list of the qualifications, position titles, academic research ranks, etc. for a typical laboratory.

Hiring Laboratory Personnel

Contact the Administrative Assistant in your departmental office for the proper policies and procedures for hiring lab personnel.  Or contact the college's Human Resource Office at (814) 863-8111.

Unemployment Compensation

Newly hired faculty members often receive start-up funding to help them to get their research programs up and running. These funds come from University sources and are intended to be used for the purchase of equipment, supplies, and to fund the establishment of positions to work in the laboratory. It is important, however, that as external grants and contracts are obtained, to move salaries from start-up sources to these external sources. Note that if a former lab employee, who was paid from start-up or other unrestricted funds, files for unemployment compensation, the charges come back to the department budget and are typically charged back to the faculty supervisor's accounts.

Personnel Problems

Problems can arise with any type of position, and could involve performance deficiencies, attendance problems, interpersonal difficulties, etc. Any time such problems show up, get in touch with the Human Resources Office (814) 863-8111 about strategies for their resolution. Sometimes no student at all is better than a bad student. Cut your losses on a bad student sooner rather than later.

 

Helpful Hints:  Develop lab guidelines that are distributed to all your lab personnel.  Here is an example of a general lab guidelines document. Lab Guidelines and Etiquette.

Another useful document is the Eberly College of Science's Code of Mutual Respect and Cooperation.

 

Reporting Accident and Injuries

Contact your department's main office to find out who is in charge of submitting accident reports in your area.  Accidents need to be reported as quickly as possible following the event, preferably within 24 hours, even if information is sketchy.  If there are any questions please contact the Human Resources Office (814) 863-8111 or the Facilities Office (814) 863-4502