Setting Up a ‘Lab’ (Clinical or Basic Science Research Program) and Managing a Research Team

Abstract

As a brand new faculty member, the surgeon-scientist is generally excited about starting a new position and eager about the possibilities for building their very own research program. However, there is perhaps no greater source of anxiety for the young surgeon-scientist than setting up and staffing a new research program (either in basic bench research or patient-oriented translational research). In this chapter, we provide very broad guidelines and advice to help the new faculty member avoid those pitfalls and build a successful research program. We also admit that there are numerous approaches to each of these elements and the recommended approaches delineated here, represent a small fraction of available options. Although many of the references described in this chapter relate to bench research, the concepts can be applied broadly to any research program including clinical research programs. This chapter is deliberately written in a broad, informal and somewhat humorous style. The suggestions and recommendations are based on information distilled from multiple sources, while trying to be as practical as possible. As much as possible, there are no references to specific techniques, research designs etc. At the end of the Chapter, there is a suggested reading list which contains useful material from which we have obtained some of this material. It is our hope that the new surgeon-scientist starting their scientific career will find this information useful in avoiding the most common pitfalls in setting up their research programs. We hope you enjoy it.