Operating Tomorrows Research Lab: Workload and staffing are concerns, while outsourcing has taken a backseat

摘要

The operation of a modern research lab involves a wide range of aspects, including skilled and unskilled staffing; the purchase, operation and maintenance of numerous instrumentation and equipment devices; funding and budgeting; sustainability; outsourcing; safety and security; lab design and construction; and (not least of all) the implementation of new science and technology capabilities. Lab managers and directors often have a difficult time balancing the very demanding needs and requirements of all these variables, any one of which can consume their full-time attention. According to a recent survey performed by the editors of Laboratory Equipment, hiring, training and retaining a skilled research laboratory staff is the most critical area of a lab managers job. Nearly two-thirds of all respondents - both life science and physical science specialists - indicated this was their primary concern. There are several complications in this area that continue to exacerbate the lab manager's concerns.