Hi all,
I want to send a "thank you" out to everyone who attended the AMMRL
discussion last week at the ENC. We had about 65 people in attendance.
We split into three groups to discuss cryo/cold probes, basic needs in
facilities and other aspect of running a facility (and controlling
costs). There were some lively discussions about cryo/cold probe
maintenance and, in another group, what to look out for in new users of
NMR spectrometers. The discussion format was overwhelmingly preferred
over a series of presentations. The people I spoke with later in the
week, reacted positively to the meeting. One critique did emphasize the
need for well run discussions- something we can work on for next year.
Those of you who helped lead those discussions, it's time to summarize
the group's work and distribute to the listserv. Thanks for your
assistance!
One theme repeated by a number of spectroscopists new to the facility
management scene was the need to hear from experienced managers- a topic
often repeated at other past ENC's. They wanted to know what tends to
work (and what doesn't), what in general to expect from a particular
user base and how best to maintain equipment. The group needs to
continue to provide this information at future AMMRL meetings.
Are there other ways we can address this need at next year's ENC. We
can use our usual AMMRL meeting as we have in the past. We could
develop a format that extends the material to training and educational
experiences for grad students and post-docs to better prepare them for a
career in NMR service.
We should also address career development of current facility managers-
at academic facilities, there's no tenure, no company path to upper
level management. Are we necessarily destined to retire in the same
position we started? How have managers successfully enhances their
positions while maintaining a well-run facility? Anyway, just throwing
out some ideas while they are fresh.
Comments or suggestions????
Yeah it's early but we can put ideas into the listserv archives for
reference when we prepare for next year's meeting.
Marc
--
Marc ter Horst, PhD
NMR Facility co-Director
UNC-CH Employee Forum Delegate and Treasurer
056 Caudill Labs
Department of Chemistry, CB #3290
UNC at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290
e-mail: terhorst_at_unc.edu
NMR Lab: (919) 962-1149
Office: (919) 843-5802
Department fax: (919) 962-2388
Received on Fri Apr 30 2010 - 08:56:52 MST