Catalysts for efficient science

摘要

For James Nelson, a molecular and cellular physiologist at Stanford University in California, having a lab manager means having more time for science. He does not worry about whether his laboratory is on track to meet its monthly budget, nor does he fret about upcoming chemical-safety inspections. Kathy Siemers, his long-time lab manager, handles those responsibilities for him - along with a long list of other duties - to keep the laboratory running smoothly. "I can't imagine the lab without Kathy," says Nelson. "It would be a disaster, and it wouldn't be as much fun." Not all laboratories can afford lab managers in today's funding climate; tight research budgets in countries such as the United States, France and the United Kingdom have left many researchers unable to hire new staff. But principal investigators (PIs) who are able to support a lab manager can reap long-term gains in time and money that more than justify the investment. Median lab-manager salaries are about US$49 to $59 per hour in the United States and about £23 ($39) an hour in London, according to data from Kelly Services, a staffing firm in Troy, Michigan.