6 Expectations

In addition to agreeing to follow our communities codes of conduct and the university academic integrity policy (Chapter @ref(code)), we expect everyone in the group to echo our lab culture (Chapter @ref(culture)).

Individual mentoring plans: Katie will work with each of you to develop your individual development and mentoring plan that serves to ensure your time in the Markovich lab progresses your short, medium, and long-term goals. This is a useful planning document that assists in aligning expectations. Graduate students will revisit the mentoring plan during an individual meeting with Katie at the beginning of each semester & the start of summer. Other lab members will revisit these at appropriate time scales (e.g. every 6 months).

In addition, it is useful to have broad (for all lab members) and specific (i.e., grad students, research staff, etc.) expectations of our roles clarified. These are outlined below.

6.1 Working hours

Katie generally does not hold people to working a fixed schedule, or to be in the office for a certain schedule. As adults, we should all set the working schedule that is the right fit for us, and it is likely that what this ‘fit’ is will change over the course of the time you are in the lab. Depending on the nature of your appointment, there may be specific hours that will need to be worked and you should work with your main collaborator to outline these.

Katie generally does not work evenings or on weekends, and does not expect that people in the lab are available at these times. Lab members should also not expect others to be available during these times.

Graduate students are generally funded on annual research assistantship (RA) stipends. The RA contracts state that this stipend is for 20 hrs of work per week during the academic year and 40 hrs per week during summer to support full time study in the academic program. Most usually, students on RAships are being paid from a research grant where the focus of the grant is the topic the student is working on for their thesis research, so there is overlap here. We believe that training to do the research is part of the job, so this would include courses and additional time to read/learn methods, software too. Some people find that counting ‘billable hours’ is productive for them as it helps them keep accountable to themselves. Others do not find this method useful. Regularly assess what works best for you.

There is value to interacting with others as part of your work, and we do expect you will be available during normal working hours for at least some of the time during the week. We also recognize that there will occasionally be times where there is a need to work more to meet a deadline, but this should be the exception - an expectation of overwork is not to be normalized.

6.2 Email

In the lab, we communicate via email and via the Markovich Lab slack channel (to be set up_. You should therefore check your email at least once a day during the normal work week. Note that being available does not mean that you are available 24/7 - this is not expected. Do not expect responses to emails after regular business hours on weekdays, or on weekends. However, because we recognize that lab members should be able to create a working schedule that is right for them, lab members should not be penalized for sending communication during these times.

6.3 Attendance at regularly scheduled events

Attendance is expected at:

Departmental seminars
Weekly lab meetings
Individual meetings with Katie to discuss and work on your research
UNM thesis defenses
Annual UNM EPS research symposiums (undergrad and grad)

6.4 Expectations for the PI

Katie (as PI) will (at a minimum) provide:

Technical support for analysis (e.g., access to computing, training on techniques)
Positive feedback & constructive criticism on work
Professional career support
Support for non-technical aspects of making career progress
Regular meetings to discuss work & maintain progress on goals
Provide clear and honest appraisal of your funding situation

6.5 Graduate students

You are responsible for your degree. This means you need to stay on top of program and university deadlines, requirements, etc. See Chapter @ref(unm-resources) for links to resources.

Course of study: The UNM EPS graduate program requires students to meet with their advisor in their first week to make a list of classes that you will take during your academic program. This will vary based on how many credits you can transfer from undergrad or a previous graduate degree. Before registering for each semester, you are required to meet with your advisor (Katie) to discuss plans for the forthcoming semester (classes, activities, etc.).

The UNM Water Resources program maintains a helpful list of classes on their website. You should also consider taking a course at NM Tech–they have a fantastic hydrology program. A list of classes that lab members have taken, and suggested course of study schedule for Markovich lab grad students can be found in Chapter @ref(courses). (todo)

We schedule regular individual meetings with Katie throughout the year. At a minimum during the semester these will take place every two weeks, although there may be times when more regular meetings are needed. Meetings are a chance for you to get focused time with Katie to discuss and work on your research. Thus they are your time, not Katie’s. Come with an agenda with a list of things that you want to accomplish and work on during that time.

We share our research at local, national, and international meetings, and publish our findings in the scientific literature. Katie strives to provide financial support for grad students to attend at least one major conference per year. You should expect to give a presentation (a poster or a talk) on your work at these. The following meetings are good ones to target (differing in size and the types of folks in attendance–consult Katie for what might be best based on your research and professional goals):

American Geophyiscal Union Fall Meeting
International Association of Hydrogeologists World Groundwater Congress
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting

6.5.1 Funding

Katie does not typically accept students into the lab without being able to guarantee full funding for the duration of the degree (2 years for MS, 4 years for PhD). Students are encouraged to seek and apply for extramural funding to support their work. This includes scholarships and fellowships to pay for salary, but also smaller grants for travel, workshop attendance, or research costs. There are many opportunities out there, particularly for students. Some resources are outlined in Chapter @ref(funding).

6.6 Undergraduate students

You will most likely be working with one of the lab’s research team as your primary research supervisor. The grad student or postdoc you are working with on your project will be your primary source of contact and you should work with them to establish and define your work schedule, protocols for your work, and to ensure you have the necessary equipment to perform your work tasks.

Although the grad student / postdoc is your primary contact, always feel like you can reach out to Katie as lab PI. We are excited to help you use your position in the lab to further your career goals and want to work with you to help you achieve them.

6.7 Postdoctoral researchers

Postdocs are independent researchers and likely will have significant collaboration with researchers at other institutions as part of their research and position. Postdocs in the lab may also be sharing time between UNM and another opportunity.

In general, postdocs are expected to:

Be present and involved in lab meetings, workshops, campus seminars, and conferences.
Provide mentorship, technical support, and assistance to other lab members
Communicate both successes and sticking points on a regular basis with the PI
Work independently and collaboratively
Participate in professional development opportunities
Lead and assist in designated research projects
Develop and submit proposals to fund future research