A few words of advice for those setting up Non-Laboratory Based Research Programs:
Much of the information on this website has focused on the laboratory scientist. S/he has an expensive lab to equip and maintain, complex experiments to run, a small army of support personnel to manage. Lab work has high visibility, and new laboratory faculty need advice.
But you're different. A yellow pad and a pencil, a regular supply of coffee, and regular access to email and top quality computer resources and support are all that you think you need. Take courage! You are not alone. Over 40% percent of College of Science faculty are not laboratory workers. How can you adapt the information on this website to your own style of work? Click here for a few suggestions.
Safety Issues
General Reference
Sites
- Office Of Research Protection
Human
Participants:
The protection of human research participants is of paramount concern to the
University. Thus the University requires that all faculty, staff, students
(graduate and undergraduate), and any visiting scientists conducting research
involving human participants obtain approval of their research protocols prior
to undertaking the research. This applies not only to research performed
under grants and contracts, but unfunded research as well. All faculty
should be aware of, and comply with University Policy RA14, "The
Use of Human Subjects in Research." For further information regarding
the protection of human research participants, contact the Office for Research
Protection, 212 Kern Building, (814) 865-1775.
Human Participants
Animal Subjects (IACOC)
Radioisotopes
Biohazardous Materials
These links provide specific information on procedures and resources when working in a laboratory. Questions concerning laboratory safety, and other safety issues, should
be directed to Environmental Health and Safety at 6 Eisenhower Parking Deck, 814-865-6391.
Radiation Safety
Biological Safety
Chemical Safety
General Laboratory Safety
Waste Disposal
We also provide training courses covering a variety of topics. We have two links that can be viewed from our training page. The first is a training matrix which provides a listing of all training courses and some broad job classifications of University employees to assist you in determining required training. The second is an on-line course registration button where you can complete your registration.
Reporting Accidents and Injuries
If you have an accident in the course of working
at Penn State, expenses associated with it may be covered by the
Workers Compensation program. The keys to exploring the possibility
are (1) prompt reporting and (2) utilization of a designated "panel
physician" in pursuing treatment.
Contact your department's main office to find out who is in charge of submitting accident reports in your area.
In an emergency, seek emergency treatment immediately, then follow up with someone
in the Panel Physician's network. For those of you who are supervisors,
note that part-time employees may also be covered, and it is your responsibility
to make sure that their accidents are reported.
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 or Facilities Office.
Human Resources (814) 8653-8111
Facilities Office (814) 863-4502
Research Instrumentation (aka, electronics) (Chem):
Mass Spec (Chem/HILS)
X-Ray (Chem)
Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences Shared Technology Facilities
Center for Computational Genomics
MRI Research Facilities
New
Investigator Discounts
Click here for a spreadsheet with names of Sales Representatives
and Companies that offer "New Investigator" discounts.
Althought this spreadsheet is likely to be out of date immmediately,
know that discounts are often available for academics and particularly
for new faculty. Always ask.
Talk to a faculty member or research associate who works in a field or discipline similar to yours. They can easily suggest what basics you'll need.
Hiring Laboratory
Personnel
Hiring
Post Docs
The best guidance on policies and procedures can be found by clicking here. Direct questions to the College Human resources representative at 814-863-8111 .
Hiring Other Lab Personnel
Qualifications, position titles, academic research ranks, etc. for a typical laboratory.
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 about strategies for their resolution.
Recruiting Grad Students
Graduate Assistants are individuals who currently hold a formal graduate assistantship. Graduate students who do not hold an assistantship but are working in the laboratory might be appointed as a Wage Employee or as a Fixed Term Research Assistant.
Sometimes no student at all is better than a bad student. Cut your losses on a bad student sooner rather than later.
This page was last updated on 13 Oct 2008
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