Mentoring of junior scientists (students and post-doctoral
fellows) is one of the most important obligations of senior
scientists at the NIH, and the professional relationship that a
trainee develops with his or her mentor is one of the most important
outcomes from a fellowship. The trainee and mentor must work together
to develop a relationship that fosters freedom of inquiry, critical
evaluations, and personal and professional integrity. Trainees must
take the initiative to build a strong relationship based on mutual
trust and respect. They must strive for the excellence that will
merit the intensive involvement of their mentor in their future
success. Trainees have certain responsibilities that will enhance
their mentoring and training experiences while at the NIH. The NIH
Scientific Directors consider the following guidelines as the minimal
requirements for trainees to meet:
1. Trainees must have a commitment to the work of the
laboratory/branch and Institute/Center and to the achievement of
their research goals. They need to develop a sense of responsibility
for the use of the public resources that are made available to
them.
2. Trainees must recognize that much of contemporary science
involves team effort and collaborative interactions that require them
to conduct themselves in a mature, professional, and civil manner in
all interactions with other NIH staff. Trainees must recognize that
they work within a laboratory environment and be good citizens by
contributing to the maintenance of shared resources and a clean and
safe work area.
3. Trainees should initiate meetings with their supervisor at least
every two weeks to discuss research findings and at least yearly to
discuss career goals. They have a responsibility to develop their
yearly training goals and career goals in these discussions and will
need to tailor their education and training to meet those goals.
4. Trainees are encouraged to identify one or more mentors in
addition to their immediate supervisor. Such mentors will facilitate
the professional networking that is key to advancement of their
career goals.
5. Trainees must be aware of the legal and ethical aspects and
responsibilities that underlie their research. They need to develop
an understanding of the behaviors that are considered ethical and
unethical within the scientific community (see item 7). They must
exercise the highest integrity in collecting, analyzing, and
presenting research data.
6. Trainees should make their satisfactions, dissatisfactions, and
needs known to their mentor clearly and often. They should feel
comfortable about discussing concerns with their lab/branch chief,
scientific director, and/or the NIH ombudsman when necessary.
7. Trainees must take the NIH Staff Orientation and Information
Program and ensure that they take the required courses described
therein. Topics covered include essential items to start work; NIH
history; staff rights, responsibilities and programs; staff
development opportunities; research ground rules; and and quality of
life issues.