Don’t…

1.  Procrastinate.  The list of tasks leading up to opening your first lab and starting your professorship appointment can seem quite formidable.  The sooner you start planning and executing, the smoother the process will flow.

2.  Panic.  Your to-do list is large, but not overwhelming.  Use time, planning and organization to simplify and keep track of tasks.  Help from current and future colleagues, along with tools such as BioData’s lab start-up checklist and interactive worksheet are essential management resources.

3.  Be afraid to fail and change course.  Whether it’s those first few experiments, balancing teaching and mentorship, or laboratory management or personnel issues, some things about your new lab will work, but others inevitably won’t.  Don’t be frustrated by these learning experiences, use them to strengthen your laboratory and group for the future.

DO…

1.  Organize, strategize and prioritize.  From the moment you receive the wonderful news that you have been offered a tenure-track position, immediately start planning essential steps towards wrapping up your fellowship, moving to your new location and establishing your lab and research project.  Use BioData’s helpful New Lab Checklist and accompanying interactive planning worksheet, along with our revolutionary online management system to start your lab on a structured course and keep it that way!

2.  Promote yourself and your research!  The tools of the digital age—including a lab website, social media such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and video services—allow you to publicize your laboratory, research, and connect with colleagues around the world.

Communication in the lab

Good communication is essential in any job and science is no exception. Communication in the laboratory takes many forms. Lab members must all communicate with each other on a day to day basis to know what reagents need re-ordering and where things are stored. As I mentioned in a previous blog,  lab members often teach each other, and new lab members, new techniques and share information about new developments in the laboratory reagents available or new technology. They also share modifications to protocols they’ve tried. Lab members must also communicate with the lab head to report their progress and discuss concerns or ideas.

Lab managers

Both the head of the lab and the lab members will need to communicate regularly with the lab manager, if there is one, to ensure the