Research Student and Trainee Orientation and Expectations

The Research Student and Trainee Orientation

The Research Student and Trainee Orientation was developed by the Office of Student Engagement and Experience, in collaboration with BIDMC Research Operations Team, BILH Research Compliance Team and BILH Talent Acquisition Teams, in order to provide a structured, asynchronous introduction to BILH/BIDMC, organize required trainings, and empower new hires to make the most of their research opportunity.

The orientation is comprised of four sections:

  • Beginning your Onboarding
  • Trainings
  • Making the most of your experience at BIDMC
  • Verification of Completion

The orientation process and expectations (first three weeks)

  1. All incoming research students and postdoctoral research fellows receive a welcome email from the Office of Student Engagement and Experience to their non-BIDMC email on file the Friday before their first day, which includes information on the orientation, including a link to the research student and orientation agreement form
  2. Research student or postdoctoral research fellow sign the agreement form, indicating that they plan to review the orientation in its entirety, complete the required trainings and activities, and reach out to the Office of Student Engagement and Experience if they have any questions or concerns
    1. Student/postdoc fellow will receive an email from the Office of Student Engagement and Experience with department/lab contacts cc’d if they do not sign the agreement form within their first two weeks
  3. Once the form is submitted, a link to the orientation page is sent to their non-BIDMC email on file
  4. The research student/postdoctoral research fellow is expected to review the orientation and complete the required materials within the first two weeks of their role. This includes:
    1. Reviewing each section of the orientation and completing the research student and trainee onboarding checklist
    2. Completing the new hire trainings assigned via BILH Workday, and completing the trainings necessary for their role (it is expected that the student/postdoc’s supervisor and/or mentor will inform). Links to all research-specific trainings are included in the training section of the orientation
      1. Research student/postdoctoral research fellow is expected to review the research safety training checklist with their supervisor and/or mentor to signify completion
  5. Research student and postdoctoral research fellow receive a verification of completion form send to their BIDMC email after two weeks to sign, indicating completion of the orientation
    1. Research student/postdoctoral research fellow will receive an email from the Office of Student Engagement and Experience with department/lab contacts cc’d checking-in and ensuring that they’ve received access to their BIDMC email if they do not sign the form after one week; check-in email is sent to both personal/school email on file and BIDMC email.

*Please note that this orientation does not take the place of the BIDMC orientation required for all new (paid) employees

Expectations for Supervisors and Mentors

  • Guidance and Support 
    • It is vital that every research student and postdoctoral fellow receive guidance and support from their direct supervisor during their research experience.
  • The Research Student and Trainee Orientation instructs students to request an introductory meeting with their direct supervisor and/or mentor (if different than the supervisor), and a recommended weekly meeting cadence with either their direct supervisor/and or mentor 
  • The Research Student and Trainee Orientation introduces students to the training curriculum. Students and postdoctoral fellows are provided with two documents to organize their learning: 
    • Research Student and Trainee Onboarding Checklist 
      • General housekeeping items to get new research students and postdoctoral research fellows oriented to their position and ensure they have the materials needed to begin, including access to and other necessary trainings 
    • Lab Safety Checklist 
      • Breakdown of important basic and clinical research safety tasks new research students must complete/have knowledge of prior to performing any work 
  • Students and postdoc fellows are directed to share each checklist with their designated supervisor and/or mentor in the Lab to showcase progress. It is expected that supervisors and/or mentors review the checklists with each new research student hire upon completion 

Any questions about this information should be directed to the BIDMC Office of Student Engagement and Experience