MATTHEW BOGGSVICTOR MAKALIMORGAN HILERAARON SEIGLERNICOLE SOWERS

Getting the Work Done: The Organization of a Research

Lab

Laboratory Ranking

1. Principal Investigator2. Post Doctorate

3. Ph D. Candidate4. Undergraduate

5. Technician

Responsibilities of a Principal Investigator

Head of the LabSupervises all members of lab

Responsible for writing grant proposals Occasionally teaches classes

Performs “bench” scienceEstablishes direction of research

Responsibilities of a Post Doctorate

Considered the main researcherUsually rewarded with 1st authorship on

papersWill help Principal Investigator prepare grant

proposals

Responsibilities of a Ph D/Masters Candidate

Helps with researchUsually still taking classes

Will teach undergraduate classes to support themselves

Responsibilities of an Undergraduate

Performs the real Grunt workWill earn minimum wage or be given “work

study” for their contributions to research

Thomas

Responsibilities of a Technician

Must have comprehensive knowledge of all laboratory equipment

Is considered a full-time employeeWill train members of a research team to use

the equipment required for the studyOrders supplies needed for research

Paid with “soft money;” meaning they get paid only after all other members of lab are

compensated

Potential Test Questions

Who is responsible for writing grant proposals?

Who orders the supplies and equipment used in the lab?

What is “bench” science?What is Thomas classified as in a lab?