Biomedical Research Onboarding

General Considerations

By now you have likely accepted your position and signed your appointment letter. Consider these in preparing to start in your new position.

• Review the definitions and categories of academic staff.
• Look over your benefits and total compensation , including relocation expense eligibility and the Collective Agreement for your position.
• Plan your commute: check parking , Edmonton Transit Service , bike options, and the campus map.
• If also contracted by Alberta Health Services (AHS), review the AHS new employee checklist (pre-hire to first 20 days) and steps to obtain an AHS ID badge and access card.
• Explore childcare options (including UAlberta-affiliated day care centres ).

Biomedical Research Considerations

Confirm these items if needed with your department chair and academic department manager.

• Clarify where your primary lab space will be located (building, floor, room) and whether any renovations are planned before you arrive.
• Discuss your start-up package with your Chair/Division Director (what can be used for equipment, trainees, core facility fees, and consumables).
• Confirm anticipated biosafety level (e.g., BSL-2) required for your work and whether appropriate facilities are already available.
• Plan how you will transfer or import samples, reagents, plasmids, and data; from prior institutions in compliance with material transfer and biosafety rules.

General Considerations

Navigating your first week can be a bit confusing. These points will provide some guidance on what to do first.

• Review your department's and the University of Alberta's Onboarding Program of academic staff.
• Confirm your CCID is active (created upon hire) and log into Email .
• Obtain your ONEcard (UAlberta ID) for building access, library services, and on-campus purchases (bring government photo ID).
• Work with your Department Chair/Divisional Director and Academic Department Manager to obtain keys/keycard access to offices, labs, and shared research spaces.
• Request IST support if needed for computer setup.
• Review the Employment Information, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest & Conflict of Commitment; procedures and complete any required disclosure forms.
• Complete required Security & Privacy training modules.
• Bookmark key mental health and wellbeing supports ( FoMD Office of Advocacy & Wellbeing , FoMD Well , Employee + Family Assistance Program , and Safe Disclosure & Human Rights ).

Biomedical Research Considerations

• Meet with your Department Chair, Institute lead, or lab manager to confirm lab space assignments, storage areas (e.g., -80°C freezers, liquid nitrogen), and building access after hours.
• Ensure you have access to key shared equipment and booking systems (centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, microscopes, cold rooms).
• Schedule or complete mandatory laboratory safety training (e.g., WHMIS, biosafety, chemical safety, radiation safety as applicable).
• Begin a basic lab inventory list for equipment and starter consumables you will need to order using your start-up funds.

General Considerations

FoMD is equipped with research administrative experts to help you every step of the way.

• Familiarize yourself with the Research Admin Services (RAS) for funding applications and management, and the Research Ethics Office (REO) for human and animal ethics.
• Learn how to use the Researcher Home Page to apply for and manage existing funds.
• Read about and understand what Indirect Costs of Research are and how they impact budgeting in your funding proposals.
• Connect with your assigned Research Partner to ask questions about approvals, funding, and processes.
• Review graduate supervision policies (e.g., FGSR Adjunct Academic Appointment, Graduate Student Supervision policies) and register for supervisory development training if you plan to supervise graduate students.
• Clarify your eligibility to hold research funding based on your appointment type with your Department Chair.
• Review the Faculty Council schedule and note upcoming meetings where new faculty are often introduced and key decisions are made.

Biomedical Research Considerations

• Determine whether your work requires animal care approvals (e.g., Animal Care & Use Committee) and/or biosafety approvals (e.g., Institutional Biosafety Committee).
• Map out what types of biological materials you will use (cell lines, primary tissues, pathogens, recombinant DNA) and confirm corresponding containment and documentation requirements.
• Review outstanding Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) training requirements, incident reporting processes, and spill response expectations .
• Identify relevant core facilities (e.g., imaging, flow cytometry, genomics, proteomics) and schedule introductory consults to understand services, cost recovery, and timelines.
• Clarify how you will store and manage large experimental datasets (e.g., omics, imaging), including secure servers, backed-up storage, and data management plans.

General Considerations

Understanding Faculty Governance structures and processes are critical to your success!

• Obtain the most recent Faculty Evaluation Committee (FEC) Standards document relevant to your department.
• Access Annual Report Online (ARO), update your profile, and grant permission for your professional page on the FoMD website.
• Update your information in UAlberta’s “Find a Person” (include courses taught, ORCID id, biography, CV, publications, and scholarly activity).
• Note UAlberta statutory holidays and closures .
• Visit the FoMD Social Accountability pages and enroll in relevant EDI training (e.g., anti-racism resources).
• Complete any outstanding Environment & Safety training modules and review incident reporting processes.
• Explore HRHSE resources (benefits, vacation and leave policies, employment information) and learn how to view your paycheque.
• Start using UAlberta Library resources (online collections, subject librarians) to support your teaching and research.

Biomedical Research Considerations

• Submit or finalize your animal use protocols , biosafety registrations , and any required chemical or radiation safety authorizations.
• Begin drafting and standardizing lab SOPs (sample handling, labeling, waste disposal, incident reporting, equipment maintenance logs).
• Plan your initial set of pilot experiments that will generate data for early publications and grant applications.
• Establish a simple lab onboarding checklist and working alone protocols for trainees and staff (safety training, access requests, documentation, and expectations).
• Review HSE Culture of Care Safety Action Plan

General Considerations

Determining how your research aligns with existing structures and resources will help you grow your program.

• Read the FoMD Strategic Plan to see how your work aligns.
• Explore the FoMD Faculty Development website for support with teaching, research, and leadership roles.
• Discuss mentorship with your Department Chair or designate; many departments offer formal mentoring for new faculty.
• Read and reflect on the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action  and consider how they intersect with your academic role.

Biomedical Research Considerations

• Familiarize yourself with the FoMD Research Institutes  and research hubs to understand how your program fits within existing strengths and thematic areas and seek membership where applicable.
• Clarify expectations for research output and milestones in your first 2–3 years (papers, grants, trainees) with your Department Chair/Divisional Director.
• Identify potential collaborators across departments and institutes whose methods or models complement your work.
• Begin outlining major grant applications: CIHR Project Grants , NSERC Discovery and RTI, and CFI JELF .
• Develop a simple multi-year experimental roadmap linking pilot data, early manuscripts, and upcoming funding competitions.

General Considerations

Keeping the momentum involves careful consideration and planning.

• Regularly check UAlberta Learning & Development and FoMD Office of Lifelong Learning for workshops and programs.
• Engage with FoMD institutes that align with your research and become an active member.
• Attend research days and departmental events to build relationships and understand governance.
• Review your first year with your Department Chair, clarifying expectations and plans for the next review cycle.
• Continue to refine your research program and teaching portfolio with support from the FoMD Office of Research , mentorship, and peers.

Biomedical Research Considerations

• Review your progress against your start-up and research plan (equipment purchases, lab setup, recruitment of trainees, preliminary data).
• Identify and prepare for key funding competitions (e.g., CIHR, NSERC, foundation or institute-led calls) using data generated from your first year.
• Work with your team to maintain and update lab SOPs, safety records, and training logs, including refreshers where needed.
• Present your work at FoMD and institute research days and appropriate external meetings to build visibility and collaboration.
• Begin planning longer-term programmatic or team grants by mapping how your lab’s projects integrate into broader institutional or national priorities.