Respect – The lab has to be a pleasant place for all. We expect all to treat each other with respect and dignity. I expect all lab members to contribute to a productive, professional and supportive research environment conducive to the exchange of information, learning, and cooperation. This core responsibility includes treating your colleagues with respect, being attentive to others’ viewpoints and ideas, and ensuring our lab is a safe and pleasant work place where all feel welcome, appreciated, and heard. Dishonest, disrespectful, threatening or harmful behaviors will not be tolerated.

 

Safety first – The safety of each and every lab member is more important than research output. This necessitates being aware and adhering to lab safety protocols to ensure our physical and mental health. Let it be known if you do not understand a technique, a procedure, or a concept. Good understanding is important before commencing tasks. If you do not understand how an instrument works, ask. If you are unsure of what to do next, ask. Never work in the lab if you are sick or cannot work carefully. Avoid potentially dangerous activities and make yourself aware of OHSU/Knight Institute rules, training and resources on lab safety.

 

How to fit in – My expectation is that you will show an unwavering commitment to learn, participate actively and interact professionally with other lab members, your departmental colleagues and our institutional collaborators to the best of your ability, good judgment, and understanding.  I encourage you to see your role and activities in the big picture, to contribute as a sincere individual to the lab’s greater goals, and to strive to work together in cohesion, unity and synergy with your peers while developing your own specific project(s) and unique professional “voice”. If you are uncertain with your tasks, your interaction with others, or feel distressed, please reach out to Dr. Emili.

 

Communication – Our lab uses multiple communication mechanisms to exchange information critical to group cohesion, lab safety and scientific progress. These include regular one-on-one discussions, project team gatherings, and larger group meetings, as well as social media (web site, Twitter/X). Email is used regularly for updates on time sensitive matters. During working hours, you are expected to respond to communication within a couple hours or early next day. Attendance at regular lab meetings and individual meetings is expected of all lab members. You are also encouraged to attend relevant seminars each week as part of your normal work day. You can contact me anytime to discuss emergency situations, but provide at least 2 weeks’ notice when requesting letters of recommendations.

 

Accountability – I do not require lab members to come or leave work at a defined time each day, but do expect regular participation during general lab working hours (~9-5) Monday - Friday.  Being together during regular hours when most academic activities occur is expected; including meetings and seminars, facilitating information exchange, collaboration and learning. Attend to your responsibilities. While it is normal to take breaks, discipline and efficiency is needed to be productive; sometimes it is necessary to put in extra time or come in during weekends to meet deadlines or move critical experiments along.  Science is a marathon, so taking time for personal activities and physical and mental well-being is important to stay engaged, creative and fulfilled in the lab. If you are disciplined and focused, you can make excellent progress towards your needs and goals both in and outside of the lab. Reading literature, writing manuscripts, attending seminars and courses outside of the lab also ensure intellectual growth. Vacation and time-off requests are made using institutional reporting mechanisms.

 

Data and authorship – A major goal of the lab is to publish and disseminate our research findings. We aim to publish preprints as soon as a manuscript is ready for submission. The data produced during your affiliation with our group is the property of the Emili lab and OHSU. All raw data, experimental protocols, in-depth analyses, lab notebooks and computer(s), and programming/code must be available at all times and backed-up regularly to a lab server/One drive in a form that is intelligible and reliable. Since projects and publications evolve over time, author inclusion and order are re-evaluated accordingly. Consideration of authorship on a publication reflect:

1. Substantial contributions to the conception, design or execution of a study.

2. Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data used for the work;

3. Drafting figures or text for a manuscript in a manner that demonstrates an important intellectual contribution;

4. Accountability to ensure data accuracy, study integrity, timely submissions, and addressing reviewer concerns.

 

Scientific Conferences and Travel - Lab members are encouraged to attend at least one regional or national conference a year as part of your professional vocation, assuming adequate progress has been made on your project and there are funds available, on the condition that you present a poster or talk at the meeting.  International meetings cost significantly more to attend, and so will be supported only in exceptional circumstances. Once you have identified a meeting, contact me before registering to discuss your goals in attending, the data you plan to present, and funding opportunities that can support your travel. Adding this information to our weekly discussions is a great way to bring it up. You are required to submit an abstract around the time of registration, which I must approve at least 1-2 weeks before you submit it so there is ample time for review and editing as needed. You are also expected to present a practice talk or share a draft poster 2-4 weeks before the meeting, to provide ample time for feedback and revision.  When available, you are expected to apply for local and external funding sources to help cover travel expenses; graduate students and postdocs are often eligible for conference travel awards.  If the administrator cannot pre-pay costs, you will get reimbursed after you travel; expenses before the first or last day of the meeting are not supported.  During the conference you should keep the receipts for all meals and taxis, which you will provide the administrator after your trip.