Lab philosophy & values

You should be aware of who your direct supervisor is, which junior members (if relevant) you are responsible for overseeing (and with what duties), which people have the most insight into different aspects of lab functioning, and thus who to seek help from under which circumstances. We believe that this understanding of your place in the overall scheme should be clearly established before you start working.

A laboratory that runs smoothly depends on clear, transparent, honest, and respectful communication at all times. It is important that everyone knows the guidelines for best practices and that decisions about working policies are communicated to everyone and are broadly understood. There are established routes for addressing changes, improvements, and problematic issues, including a monthly forum (lab users’ meeting) with an agenda and minutes where open discussion is encouraged. The lab manager and department/group heads make final decisions about work practice, taking into account discussions and feedback from the users themselves. Decisions are unambiguously recorded and communicated to all. It is important that established guidelines are consistently followed by all users.

Each researcher is responsible for carrying out their own projects (post-docs & PhD students, in particular), and it is important that they have a clearly defined set of goals for their work. This helps them understand how their work fits into the broader framework of the department/group research portfolio. While there may be overlaps in approaches/methods, each researcher has specific goals that are distinct from those of others. In our MPI we believe that this is a healthy and desirable working model. Goals and progress are discussed in individual researcher meetings as well as multi-researcher meetings at different scales (e.g., cellular models meeting, mouse facilities meetings, group and department meetings). If anyone has any questions or concerns about their project responsibilities, they can raise them directly with the department/group head.

Although each researcher has a distinctly defined main project, the most effective lab takes advantage of synergies between its members, becoming much more than the sum of its parts. We believe that there should be a supportive sharing environment involving the free exchange of ideas and information. This means that people do not have to “reinvent the wheel” and find out for themselves that such-and-such an antibody doesn’t work, for example, or that one method is more likely to work than another. Coordination of tools, resources, and methods development can be of value for multiple people and create win-win situations for everyone involved, strengthening the position of the MPI as a world-leading research institute. People who contribute to other projects in the labs can also often reap benefits in terms of co-authorship on posters and papers beyond their primary work.

Sharing is a fundamental principle that extends beyond individual bench spaces, storage, and equipment use. Researchers should also take joint responsibility for the well-being of the labs and the wider research environment. Being a good lab citizen means not only focusing on one’s own work but also actively participating in cleaning and sorting sessions. Although certain duties are designated to specific individuals, everyone should take ownership of the space. By actively enhancing the environment, we can create a more inclusive space where everyone feels they belong. For example, we encourage the use of English as a common language for work purposes since our team is highly international.

Good experimental planning and organization, thorough and accurate recording of protocols and results, and data archiving are core principles that contribute to the success of the lab as a whole. To assist with this, we provide electronic lab notebook systems that are mandatory for use. Scientific integrity is something we all need to be very aware of, especially in the current climate, and there is a shared vision for this as well.

Everyone joining the wetlabs must receive introductory training before beginning work. However, this should not be treated as an isolated event. The core issues about how to optimally participate in the lab environment need to be revisited on a regular basis and considered with respect to the development and learning of the individual involved. This applies to everyone since there are challenges and opportunities for growth at all stages of one’s career. The leaders of the lab can help people find suitable training courses. Everyone gets an annual appraisal by their line manager too.