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Welcome New Members

We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which our research group is located. We recognize their enduring connection to this land, water, and community, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. As the first environmental stewards, naturalists, and scientists, the Wurundjeri people have been caring for this land for thousands of years. Their profound knowledge and understanding of the natural world continue to inspire and guide us in our study of microbial ecology. We acknowledge that our work and lives are conducted on unceded lands, and we honor the legacy and traditions of the Wurundjeri people.

 

Welcome to our group, we are excited to have you join our team. Here we aim to provide you with essential information to ensure your time with us is both scientifically productive and enjoyable. This document outlines our philosophy, approach, and values. Please feel free to suggest changes and additions to this evolving document during our time with us.

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We look forward to working with you,

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The Bay Group

 

Acknowledgments: We thank the GreeningLab for inspiring our research direction, the MarquesLab for inspiring our ethos and the School of Agriculture Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University for hosting our lab. 

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Values

Scientific Integrity and Accountability

We are committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and transparency in our research. We prioritize rigorous methodologies, reproducibility, and honesty in everything we do.

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Excellence and Innovation

We champion a culture of excellence and innovation by fostering high levels of agency and psychological safety within our team. By empowering individuals to take initiative and challenge conventional methods, we encourage bold, creative thinking and transformative research.

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Inclusiveness and Diversity

We foster an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and ensures equitable opportunities. We are dedicated to advocating for the inclusion of underrepresented groups in science and addressing disparities within our community.

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Mission and Goal Alignment

We continuously optimize our strategies to reach our collective and individual goals, ensuring that our approaches remain effective and aligned with our mission and the overarching goals of our group

Resilience

Growth Mindset

We view challenges and fails as opportunities to learn and grow, we use constructive feedback for improvement, understand that setbacks are part of the scientific process, and recognize that consistent effort and dedication lead to mastery.

 

Well-being

We prioritize work-life balance and mindfulness to sustain long-term productivity, recognizing that each individual has their own way to achieve this, we foster a supportive lab environment, regularly reflect and adapt methods, and celebrate wins small and large to maintain motivation and morale.

 

Purpose

We stay connected to your research's deeper purpose, set long-term goals with manageable milestones, develop a consistent routine, and build resilience by remaining committed despite failures, setbacks, or unexpected results.

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Ernest Communication

During formal communication we are earnest, embodying sincerity and integrity at all times. When providing feedback, we are truthful, helpful, and kind, fostering a positive environment that supports individual goals and the group mission.

Meetings

Lab Meetings: Weekly lab meetings consist of two components.

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Collaboration:

  • Entire team reviews the group's dashboard, which provides 'live' insights into each member's project and progress, lab finances and status of all papers.

  • Starting with the most junior, each lab member gives a 3-minute pitch updating the team on progress, bottlenecks, any insights they gained from the literature and their work plan for the week.

  • Team will then provide critical feedback in line with our communication guideline

Operations: The second part focuses on discussing general issues and lab operations.

 

Individual Meetings: Weekly one-on-one meetings with Dr. Bay, primarily for strategic discussion, pastoral support and resolving specific issues.

 

Deadlines: Notify Dr. Bay of milestones, leave, conferences, grants, and other important deadlines well in advance to ensure timely preparation and support.

 

Drop-in sessions: Weekly one hour drop in sessions will be held for bioinformatics (Nayeli) and any other matters (Dr Bay).

Expectations and Responsibilities

Everyone

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  • Engage in Meaningful Tasks: Ensure to engage in tasks and projects that you can take pride in, contributing effectively to the lab's overall goals.

  • Ensure Accuracy: Double-check your work to maintain high standards of accuracy and reliability in all lab activities.

  • Secure Data: Maintain three point of backup (E.g. cloud, external drive and computer) at all times. Include a readme document with each dataset and make available.

  • Support Lab Mates: Be supportive of your lab mates, fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.

  • Balance Independence and Assistance: Work independently and ask for help when needed, ensuring productivity while recognizing when collaboration is beneficial.

  • Share Knowledge: Share your knowledge with others to enhance collective understanding and advance the lab's research capabilities.

  • Respect Strengths and Differences: Respect each other's strengths and differences, appreciating the diverse skills and perspectives within the lab.

  • Maintain Safety: Maintain a safe work environment by adhering to safety protocols and being vigilant about potential hazards.

  • Self-directed learning: Everyone is responsible for their own self-directed learning and continuous professional development, ensuring they stay current and grow in their professional roles

 

Group Lead

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  • Provide strategic vision for the lab's direction, inspiring and guiding the team towards achieving its research goals.

  • Secure funding and resources to support the lab's research activities and ensure its sustainability.

  • Meet regularly with team members to discuss research projects, offering feedback and fostering collaboration.

  • Support career development and provide guidance to lab members, helping them achieve their professional goals.

 

Postdocs

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  • Develop independent research projects that contribute to the lab's overall research objectives and build their scientific profile.

  • Mentor students by providing guidance, support, and knowledge to help them succeed in their research projects and academic careers.

  • Apply for external funding and fellowships to support your research and advance your career.

 

PhD, Master, and Honours Students

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  • Develop a line of dissertation research that contributes to the lab's goals and advances your academic career.

  • Apply for small external funding and travel grants to support your research and professional development.

  • Collaborate with team members and meet degree requirements through active participation in research activities and academic milestones.

 

Interns

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  • Assist with data collection and analysis to support ongoing research projects and gain practical experience.

  • Participate and contribute to lab meetings, seminars, and scientific discussions, enhancing your understanding and involvement in the research process.

  • Develop a report and presentation on your research activities, showcasing your contributions and learning experiences.

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