# For Post-Docs

In addition to the expectations for everyone, you should:

* **Develop your own independent line of research.**  Find a niche within the project that really appeals to you.  Bring your expertise from your graduate research to bear on the problems we are tackling in the lab.  Make something your own, take ownership of it and be proud of what you accomplish
* **Identify portions of your research that can be delegated to undergraduate researchers as part of mentored research projects**.  A huge part of your professional development will be learning to train, mentor, and work with people with less experience than you.  This will be excellent practice for whatever your next step career-wise is.  I (Christoph) will help you recruit motivated undergraduates to work with you
* **Train and mentor graduate students in the lab when they need it.**  See above.  You just finished going through the very process they are undertaking.  Help them!
* **Apply for grants** (NIH F32, AHA Postdoc Fellowship, NIH K99, NRSA and others).  Although I will not hire you if I cannot support you for the first few years of your postdoc, it is in your best interest to get independent funding.  Even if you do not get funded, grant writing provides you with an opportunity to formalize your research ideas and solicit feedback
* **Apply for jobs when you are ready.**  Jobs in and out of the academy are rewarding.  Explore your options!
* **Challenge me.**  You have expertise that I do not necessarily have, and have read papers that I may not be aware of.  If you have a different perspective on something, speak up!
* **Represent the lab.**  You are now an ambassador for the lab as well as a member.  Our reputation will be partially formed by how you interact with your colleagues.  Treat them with respect and integrity.

