Policy No. K.1.9
Mentoring
Marine Biological Laboratory
Mentoring Program for Scientists
Initiated by:
Approved by:
Date:
Revision:
Distribution:
Chief Academic and Scientific Officer
MBL President and Director
June 7, 2010
September, 2015
MBL Scientific Community
1.0
Policy Statement:
The MBL recognizes that career development is a vital element of scientific excellence and
critical to the professional development of new scientists and to the well-being of the
Laboratory. In order to ensure that the Laboratory makes its best efforts to foster this
development, the MBL strongly supports a mentoring program. The purpose of this program is
to provide advice, guidance, and feedback to all scientists starting their career and to all
scientists new to the MBL.
2.0
Mentoring encompasses the proffering of information, advice, support, encouragement, honest
feedback, problem-solving, referrals, networking opportunities, and advocacy.
3.0
Different kinds of mentoring may be needed as the individuals advance through their career.
Particular attention needs to be given to scientists with perceived language barriers, scientists of
color, and scientists who may be working to balance the needs of a young family or aging
parents.
3.1
Postdoctoral Scientists/Postdoctoral Fellows – need mentoring to assist in successfully
launching their scientific career. This is most appropriately done by their sponsor.
Time in this position is typically 4 years maximum, with extension to 5 years for
extraordinary circumstances.
3.2
Research Scientists/Research Fellows – need mentoring to assist in successfully
continuing to develop research and professional skills, including writing grant
applications and serving as co-Principal Investigator. Time in this positon is typically a
2 year maximum, with the intention to transition to independent faculty or scientist
position as Principal Investigator subject to approval by MBL Director or his/her
designee.
3.3
Assistant/Associate Scientists – need mentoring to assist in establishing their career and
making satisfactory progress toward establishing a laboratory, achieving solid standing
in the broader scientific community, and preparing for promotion.
3.4
Senior Scientists new to the MBL – benefit from mentoring as they move from their
previously familiar surroundings to the MBL. Quick assimilation into the MBL and
Woods Hole scientific community can ease the transition. The Center Director most
effectively provides this mentoring.
4.0
Assistant/Associate Scientists will benefit from a more formal mentoring program.
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4.1
4.2
A committee of two scientists should be formed, in consultation between the Center
Director and the Assistant/Associate Scientist. At least one of the committee members
must share the same or similar research interests with the mentee.
This committee should meet formally with the mentee no less than twice a year but
shall also be available on an ad hoc basis. Meetings may be with both advisors as a
group or individually, as desired.
5.0
General discussion items should include at least the following:
 Details of the promotion and performance review and discussion of the mentee’s current
progress toward promotion and CV development.
 Setting of goals annually in terms of research, publications, grants, national meeting
presentations, and other activities.
 The role of the Science Council concerning promotion.
 How to manage a lab including personnel and budget management.
 Grant writing and strategies, and overall funding strategies.
 How to develop “envelop pushing” research experiments.
 Collegiality, collaborations, independence, and authorship issues.
 Ways to interact with UChicago faculty and other scientific/educational partners.
 How to work with the Center administrative staff, and with the Laboratory’s administrative
and operational infrastructure, including core MBL services.
 Understanding of and adherence to the Laboratory’s policies, including ethical code of
conduct and conflict of interest policy and invention disclosure and patenting procedures.
6.0
At the time of annual review, the mentee and his/her Center Director shall establish written
goals in terms of research, publications, and grants. Upon annual review, the prior year’s goals
shall be evaluated against actual performance in a written review which shall be forwarded to
the President and Director (or Director of Research Administration & Programs) and to the
Director of Human Resources.
7.0
Policy Clarification and Updates:
Policy clarification and updates are available from the President and Director or Director of
Research Administration & Programs.
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