What happens during a lab meeting?

Lab meeting are a chance for the lab to tackle each others problems together. Each week you are expected to bring a result or issue to the group. Your 5 minutes is best used to get input from others in the lab about how to tackle a problem, analyze data, interpret data, decide how to proceed.

How do you run a successful lab meeting?

Lab meetings are more productive when group members are present, engaged, and mindful, whether in person or on video. This includes being an active listener, moderating the frequency and extent of one’s own participation during meetings to allow space for others, while actively contributing to the discussion.

What should I ask a grad student in a lab?

Questions for Grad Students

• What’s a typical work week like?
• Does the lab have social events?
• How often to you get vacation?
• Do you think most of the lab achieves a work-life balance?
• Is the adviser hands on/hands off?
• How’s the funding situation?
• What are your goals after graduation?
• How often are group meetings?

How do you hold a lab meeting?

How to hold an effective (lab) meeting.

1. Make sure you need a meeting. Given the functions I listed above, we need the meetings, but perhaps not weekly?
2. Start on time and end on time.
3. Have an agenda.
4. Keep minutes.
5. End the meeting with a summary.
6. Get feedback on whether the format is working.
7. Facilitation is crucial.

How do you prepare for a lab meeting?

1. Prepare ahead of time. Give yourself a week at least.
2. Start with an outline. Plan an introduction that should take 1/4 – 1/3 of your talk.
3. Know your audience. Be aware of their level of expertise.
4. Give a broad introduction.
5. Discuss your research.
6. Make clear slides.
7. Stick to the time limit!
8. Get input.

How do you start a research meeting?

I suggest the following: Start by introducing yourself, and get to know their name and where they come from (you can use the conference-issued name tags). Next, ask if they are presenting or have presented a paper at the conference. If they have a paper, you can ask them to tell you about the paper.

What questions should I ask in a PI interview?

15 questions to ask the PI in a phone interview for a…

• What are the PI’s expectations of the postdoctoral scientist in terms of lab work, leadership of the lab team, management of the lab?
• How do those differ from the expectations of a graduate student or research associate?

How long is a lab meeting?

Aim for your lab meeting presentation to be a maximum of ~40-45 minutes long, not counting questions. The attention span of your listeners will not last much longer than an hour. You want to leave ample time for discussion throughout, and discussion is going to diminish as people tire.

What do you present in a lab meeting?

If this is a lab meeting… Show the data- show original data, even if (or especially if) the experiment has not worked- this allows you to get useful input. Label all your pieces of data clearly (see #7 below). Give the conclusion, show a summary or model if relevant. Discuss the next experiment.

How long are lab meetings?

How do you talk in a meeting?

Here are three strategies for speaking up effectively. First, prepare comments or questions before the meeting so you’re not speaking entirely off the cuff. Remind yourself why you care enough to speak up about the subject. Pause and breathe so you can speak with the full weight of your conviction.

What were lab meetings like in grad school?

I remember what lab meetings were like in grad school and as a postdoc. Everybody would give a quick progress report. Then the agenda would include a talk in preparation for a seminar or meeting, or everyone would chime in edits and comments on a manuscript in development.

What is the best way to conduct a lab meeting?

1. Discuss new (ish) papers: this is what we do most often, and is a classic lab meeting strategy. When we do these, it’s almost always that a single person is in charge of leading the discussion of the paper.

What is the purpose of a research lab meeting?

At least in my experience, convening together a bunch of undergraduates will not fulfill many of the possible functions of a research lab meeting. The meeting can be used to cement the bonds of the group, disseminate information to the lab, and (somewhat) as a journal club.

Why do scientists need an agenda for meetings?

Having a meeting agenda can keep conversations on track and avoid the need for multiple meetings about a single issue. Records of lab meetings also can be used to measure research progress. Many of the scientists and managers interviewed noted that not all successful leaders are the same.