SAFE Labs

CNIDevoLab_2025: In the normal life of a lab, people will leave, either because they have finished their project, or because they’ve found a new opportunity or for personal reasons. Lab members are encouraged to discuss their plans with the PIs as early as possible, in order to ensure a smooth process: the final months will include the hand-over of any knowledge and data needed to ensure documentation, continuity and completion of ongoing projects.

OttLab_2025: The PI accommodates a lab member preparing for their next position towards the end of their time at the lab such as grant writing or preparing interviews after discussing timelines and remaining workload together. There can be various reasons for deciding to leave the lab, and some may need to do so before their projects are complete. Lab members should discuss their plans with the PI as early as possible—preferably at least 6 months before their intended departure. This helps to ensure a smooth leaving process: the final months will include the hand-over of any knowledge and data needed to ensure documentation, continuity and completion of ongoing projects. The PI will conduct an exit interview to discuss the reasons for leaving and provide constructive feedback based on their experience and agree on a plan to finalize projects, if applicable.

ReinhardLab_2025: It is normal that people will leave the lab, either because they have finished their project, or because they’ve found a new opportunity or for personal reasons. Lab members are encouraged to talk to the PI as soon as they consider leaving the lab. It will not be held against anyone if they want to leave, instead, the PI is dedicated to providing support in planning the next steps or to finding solutions in case the leave is due to health/personal reasons. Once someone has decided to leave, the following steps need to be taken:

As early as possible:

• Make sure knowledge is transferred and at least one current lab member is trained in relevant techniques.
• Discuss how ongoing projects will be continued, how authorship might change etc.

In the week(s) before leaving:

• Make sure that all documentation (lab book, meta data files) is up to date.
• Make sure that all work-related documents are saved in an accessible place.
• Clean out personal reagents etc. from fridges.

In the last week:

• 1o1 meeting with the PI to go together through the update documentation, discuss and give mutual feedback on the lab member’s time in the lab, and to discuss next steps concerning ongoing projects if adequate.

RadzisheuskayaLab_2025: I will be transparent with the employees about the available funding for their positions when they join the lab. At least one year before the end of the contract period, I will discuss the next steps with the researcher, which may include the option to stay longer in the lab or a plan for securing the next position.

I aim to provide lab members with mentorship and support to secure the next career step. Job and/or grant applications and preparing for subsequent interviews take time. Typically, after discussions during one-on-one meetings, I support dedicating up to 25% of research time to this endeavour.

I am best equipped to help with academic career trajectories: I offer mentorship at 1-on-1 meetings and will devote time to rehearsing interview talks. However, academia is one of many available career paths. For career paths outside academia, the ICR has extensive resources: LINK NOT PUBLIC

I understand that people decide to leave the lab for different reasons and may need to do so before their projects are complete. I ask that lab members discuss their plans with me as early as possible—preferably at least 6 months before their intended departure. This helps to ensure a smooth leaving process: the final months will include the handover of any knowledge and data needed to ensure documentation, continuity and completion of ongoing projects. As the final step before departure, I will organise an exit interview, during which the departing lab members will be able to discuss their reasons for leaving and provide constructive feedback based on their experience. If needed, another member of the ICR faculty will be invited to participate in the interview.

CoenLab_2025: People leave the lab for all kinds of reasons—whether it is after several Postdoc years, or after a summer project. Hopefully, they are leaving for exciting new opportunities or retiring as a crypto-millionaire. Regardless of the reason for leaving, there is a checklist of items to consider (for Pip or the lab member). While opportunities may arise unexpectedly, please give Pip as much notice as possible so that this transition can take place as smoothly!

Offboarding Checklist

• Go over personal folders for data/code: cleanup, comment, and commit
  • Document workflows, protocols, or specific responsibilities
• Discuss any skills training/transfer to be completed (e.g. surgical techniques)
• Return any physical keys (e.g. to the Darwin Office)
• Remove your personal data and accounts from any lab computers
  • You will retain access to the server for data analysis etc.
• (Potentially) change administrative permissions/membership in the lab:
  • Slack
  • Github
  • Mailing list
  • Notion
  • Website

Exit Interviews

The content of exit interviews will not be shared with other lab members

In addition to completing the steps above, Pip arranges for all lab members to have an exit interview with himself, or another member of the lab. If the lab is to improve, and become a more inclusive and equitable environment, Pip need to know which aspects of the lab are working well, and which are not. Discussing these elements (particularly any that are negative) of lab experience can become easier when leaving, and that is why exit interviews are so valuable.

Of course, the Coen Lab, and my style of supervision, is not the right fit for every scientist: the purpose of rotations and probations is to (hopefully) figure that out before committing to a long-term project together. That is to be expected and is an important part of the process.

However, if someone is leaving the lab because they have been made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome, that is not to be expected and is not okay. If you experienced something like this during your time in the lab, please raise it during your exit interview so Pip can take steps to prevent it happening again. Naturally, Pip hopes lab members feel able to raise these concerns as soon as they arise so he can take immediate action: you can submit concerns at any time in regular meetings, or anonymously [here]).

AeryJonesLab_2026: Let Emily know as far in advance as possible about your departure plans. She will help you arrange the following:

• Teaching any skills unique to you to other lab members
• Leaving your records and data organized
• Storing, transferring, or discarding your remaining samples, supplies, and desk items
• Arranging a realistic timeline for remaining papers, or transfer those projects to other lab members
• Please keep Emily updated on your life, your accomplishments, and your contact info. She loves seeing her trainees succeed in whatever their chosen career path is. Her door is always open to you as your mentor.