U.S. Particle Accelerator School
U.S. Particle Accelerator School
America's National School of Accelerator Science and Technology

Management of Scientific Laboratories course

Sponsoring University:

Vanderbilt University

Course:

Management of Scientific Laboratories

Instructors:

Claude Geles, Gilles Lindecker, Christian Roche, CERN and Melvin Month, Brookhaven National Lab

This course will introduce the principles of management of scientific laboratories, covering long-term strategy to day-to-day management. Subjects to be studied include: (1) Overall policy-making. Strategic planning, strategic-resources management, relations with policy-makers (government, industry), public relations, and international relations. (2) Functional implementation. various aspects of organization and structures, basic principles of corporate finance and personnel management, policy making for capital investment and construction of facilities, supply chain, transfer of technology, quality assurance, organizing the operation of facilities from commissioning to dismantling. (3) Project methodology and management by project: management functions in a project environment, including cost estimating, scheduling, resource planning, technical planning, purchasing, organizational structure and staffing. (4) Day-to-day operations. The main administrative functions are analyzed: logistics including space and store management; personnel actions, staff compensation, hiring & firing; maintenance & operation; accounting & attribution of costs; security. (5) The human drama. The psycho-social life. Performance, knowledge, judgement. Throughout the course, we will discuss the differences between small and large, existing and newly created laboratories. We will underline the management specificity of not-for-profit organizations. For each topic undertaken, basic concepts, theories or methods will be developed and applied to typical cases. Case-studies will be assigned. The major purposes of the course are: to provide future managers of scientific laboratories at all levels with basic methods and techniques of modern management and, to help build more effective communication between scientific and managerial cultures.