These are the main points of a 5min talk on “leadership in science” I gave in 2019. I happened at the QSIT meeting in Arosa, in a group discussion about the topic. It’s very basic, but maybe they’re useful to someone?
Leading a group
- You are responsible for students and researchers under you
- Career/directions meetings 2x/year
- Day-to-day research meetings 1x/2weeks
- Flexible work conditions
- Conflicts will arise and it’s your job to mediate them. Ask for help!
- Be sensitive to personal situation of people you lead (childcare, mental health, constraints)
- Provide opportunities for growth: teaching, grant-writing, organising events, exchanges
- Don’t expect emails on weekends (and let them know this)
- Encourage them to pursue own interests, with guidance
Community building
- Identify good early-stage researchers and invite them for events
- Provide training opportunities for students (e.g. summer schools)
- Large-scale projects that involve the whole community (e.g. Quantum Flagship, Quantum Journal)
- Mentor someone outside your group (same institution) and someone from elsewhere
- Pay attention and help deal with bad behaviour. Ask for help!
- Be approachable and contribute to a friendly environment.
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