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Researcher Management and Leadership Training

4.8 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 404 ratings
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Anne M. Libby, PhD

This course is for early career researchers and mentors who believe that modern scientific careers require management skills and want to be research leaders. This curriculum gives you skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing your career success. Research leaders take on a number of new roles, rights, and responsibilities--as scientific leaders, financial administrators, managers, and mentors. In this course, we explain how to optimize the people, teams, projects, and finances for which you are responsible.

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This course is for early career researchers and mentors who believe that modern scientific careers require management skills and want to be research leaders. This curriculum gives you skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing your career success. Research leaders take on a number of new roles, rights, and responsibilities--as scientific leaders, financial administrators, managers, and mentors. In this course, we explain how to optimize the people, teams, projects, and finances for which you are responsible.

Despite your research training, you are probably facing an urgent training gap in leadership and management skills. Scientific careers falter for non-science reasons when researchers fail to execute a scope of work: struggle to track expenses and returns substantial unspent grant funds; or run out of funds by spending on the wrong people or mismanaging the right people. Consequently, projects close with inadequate progress on aims, thus compromising successful competition for future funding. This course will help avoid these traps.

Leadership and management are essential skills for researchers. Several early career researchers, senior scientists, and administrative leaders are eager to share their expertise and experiences with you.

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Syllabus

Researcher Management and Leadership Training
Welcome to Researcher Management and Leadership Training
Leadership
Being an effective leader--of projects and people--means to understand yourself and how you communicate with others. In practical terms, this means taking steps to align the words you say with the things you do. As a leader you set a mission and vision for your work that reflects your personal values, and then show people how to contribute to your vision of a brighter future--leadership is about getting people to follow you! We will discuss leadership behaviors generally, and specifically scientific leadership. Leaders take on additional and specific roles when you lead specific people such as employees. In that case, you may take on management or mentoring functions. These are related to, but quite different in important ways, from leadership. We will introduce you to important management and mentoring skills in other modules. This module focuses on the rights and responsibilities you have as a research leader.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Helps research leaders develop necessary management skills to enhance career success
Appropriate for early career researchers who want to strengthen management skills
Provides practical guidance for effectively implementing funded research projects
Taught by experienced research leaders, senior scientists, and administrative leaders
Covers essential topics such as leadership, finance, management, mentorship, and research integrity
Encourages learners to think strategically about building their own mentorship team

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Reviews summary

Essential leadership skills for researchers

According to students, this course is an essential training for early career researchers and new principal investigators, filling a significant gap often overlooked in scientific education. Many learners found the content, particularly in financial administration and managing research teams, to be highly practical and immediately applicable. The mentorship module is also frequently highlighted as insightful and transformative. While it provides a solid foundational framework, some suggest it could benefit from more in-depth case studies and interactive exercises for those seeking advanced insights or hands-on practice. Overall, it's considered a valuable resource for navigating the non-scientific aspects of a research career.
Transforms understanding of building mentorship networks and effective mentoring.
"The mentorship module totally changed my perspective on building a support network."
"I found the mentorship module particularly insightful for both getting and giving advice."
"It helped me understand the importance of building a strategic mentorship team."
Provides valuable insights and tools for managing research teams.
"Excellent content, especially on managing research teams. The concepts on delegation and performance reviews were presented clearly and were immediately useful."
"The practical guidance on hiring and managing research staff was exactly what I needed."
"I gained a lot from the modules on growing and maintaining a research team, particularly regarding delegation and performance management."
Offers immediately applicable strategies for grant spending and compliance.
"The section on financial administration was incredibly practical, offering clear guidance on grant spending."
"The finance and administration section was very useful for demystifying grant compliance."
"I learned how to avoid beginner's mistakes with funds and keep my projects in compliance."
Fills critical knowledge gaps for early career researchers and new principal investigators.
"This course is a game-changer for anyone stepping into a PI role."
"This course filled a huge gap in my training. The emphasis on rights and responsibilities as a PI was very important."
"It covers aspects of research leadership that are often overlooked in scientific training."
Some learners desired more engaging exercises and real-world case studies.
"I wish there were more interactive exercises or quizzes to reinforce learning."
"Would benefit from more real-world case studies for complex team dynamics."
"The lectures were sometimes dry, and I would have liked more dynamic delivery."
May be too basic for experienced managers, could benefit from more advanced topics.
"It's good for beginners but might be too basic for someone with some prior experience in management."
"I wish there were more depth in certain areas for complex team dynamics or specific HR situations."
"Some parts felt a bit theoretical, and I expected more advanced practical tools."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Researcher Management and Leadership Training with these activities:
Volunteer at a research organization
Volunteering at a research organization can help you gain hands-on experience in research and develop your research skills.
Show steps
  • Find a research organization that interests you.
  • Contact the research organization.
  • Volunteer at the research organization.
Find a research mentor
Having a research mentor can help you develop your research skills and career. This activity will help you find a research mentor.
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors.
  • Contact potential mentors.
  • Meet with potential mentors.
Meet with other researchers
Meeting with other researchers can help you learn about their work and get feedback on your own research. This activity will help you build your research network.
Show steps
  • Attend a research seminar.
  • Join a research group.
  • Meet with other researchers one-on-one.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Attend a research workshop
Research workshops are a great way to learn new research skills and techniques. This activity will help you develop your research skills.
Show steps
  • Find a research workshop that interests you.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop.
Read 'Leading the Lean Startup' by Eric Ries
This book will help you understand the lean startup methodology, which is essential for researchers who want to be successful in leading research projects.
View The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on the key concepts.
  • Apply the concepts to your own research project.
Develop a research proposal
This project will give you hands-on experience in developing a research proposal, which is an essential skill for researchers.
Show steps
  • Identify a research problem.
  • Develop a research question.
  • Write a research proposal.
Practice giving presentations
Giving presentations is an essential skill for researchers, and this activity will help you practice and improve your presentation skills.
Show steps
  • Prepare a presentation on a research topic.
  • Give your presentation to a group of people.
  • Get feedback on your presentation.
Create a research poster
Creating a research poster is a great way to share your research with others and get feedback. This activity will help you develop your research communication skills.
Show steps
  • Design your poster.
  • Print your poster.
  • Present your poster at a conference or research fair.

Career center

Learners who complete Researcher Management and Leadership Training will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Academic Researcher
Academic Researchers conduct research at colleges and universities. This course may be useful to an Academic Researcher as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success.
See salaries and explore the career path for Academic Researcher
Research Scientist
Research Scientists conduct research in a variety of fields, including biology, chemistry, and physics. This course may be useful to a Research Scientist as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist
Research Program Manager
Research Program Managers direct and coordinate research projects. They may also manage budgets and staff. This course may be useful to a Research Program Manager as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and financial administration are all essential for Research Program Managers, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research Program Manager
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers design and develop medical devices and equipment. They may also conduct research and publish their findings. This course may be useful to a Biomedical Engineer as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and engineering are all essential for Biomedical Engineers, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Biomedical Engineer
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Regulatory Affairs Specialists ensure that products and services comply with government regulations. They may also manage regulatory filings and audits. This course may be useful to a Regulatory Affairs Specialist as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and regulatory affairs are all essential for Regulatory Affairs Specialists, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Laboratory Manager
Laboratory Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a laboratory, including budgeting, hiring, and managing staff. They may also conduct research and publish their findings. This course may be useful to a Laboratory Manager as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and financial administration are all essential for Laboratory Managers, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Laboratory Manager
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality Assurance Managers ensure that products and services meet quality standards. They may also audit processes and develop quality management systems. This course may be useful to a Quality Assurance Manager as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and quality assurance are all essential for Quality Assurance Managers, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Manager
Health Policy Analyst
Health Policy Analysts research and analyze health政策, and develop recommendations for improving the health care system. This course may be useful to a Health Policy Analyst as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and healthcare are all essential for Health Policy Analysts, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst
Medical Science Liaison
Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) provide scientific and medical information to healthcare professionals on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. They may also manage budgets and mentor junior staff. This course may be useful to an MSL as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and healthcare are all essential for MSLs, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Science Liaison
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) manage clinical trials. They may also monitor patient safety and collect data. This course may be useful to a CRA as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and healthcare are all essential for CRAs, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate
Medical Writer
Medical Writers create and edit medical content for a variety of audiences. They may also manage projects and staff. This course may be useful to a Medical Writer as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and healthcare are all essential for Medical Writers, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer
Science Writer
Science Writers create and edit scientific content for a variety of audiences. They may also manage projects and staff. This course may be useful to a Science Writer as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and science writing are all essential for Science Writers, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the operations of health care facilities. This course may be useful to a Healthcare Administrator as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and healthcare are all essential for Healthcare Administrators, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator
Biostatistician
A Biostatistician gathers and analyzes complex biological data. As part of their role, they may lead teams and mentor junior members. This course may be useful to a Biostatistician as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing their career success. Skills in leadership, management, and financial administration are all essential for Biostatisticians, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician
Research and Development Scientist
Research and Development (R&D) Scientists conduct research to help advance breakthroughs in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. In their role, they typically lead teams and may be tasked with securing funding. This course may be useful to an R&D Scientist as it can teach skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing career success. Skills in leadership and management are essential for R&D Scientists, and this course can help provide those skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research and Development Scientist

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Researcher Management and Leadership Training.
Cover image
The Aging Mind
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the research methods used in psychology. It can help researchers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to design and conduct research studies effectively.
The Aging Mind: An Owner's Manual
Kindle Edition
$$
The Aging Mind: An Owner's Manual
Audible Audiobook
$$
Cover image
The Sage Handbook of Mixed Methods Research Design
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of research design. It can help researchers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to design research studies that are valid and reliable.
The Sage Handbook of Mixed Methods Research Design
Hardcover
$$$$
The Sage Handbook of Mixed Methods Research Design
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
HBR’s 10 Must Reads on High Performance (with bonus...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of effective management. It can help researchers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to lead and manage teams effectively.
HBR’s 10 Must Reads on High Performance (with bonus...
Paperback
$$
HBR’s 10 Must Reads on High Performance (with bonus...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Human Factors in Effective Counter-Terrorism
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of research management. It can help researchers develop the skills and knowledge necessary to manage research projects effectively.
Human Factors in Effective Counter-Terrorism: A...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Handbook of Research Ethics and Scientific Integrity
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical issues involved in research. It can help researchers understand the ethical principles that govern research and develop the skills necessary to conduct research ethically.
Handbook of Research Ethics and Scientific Integrity
Hardcover
$$$$
Cover image
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Save
Provides a framework for personal and professional effectiveness. It can help researchers develop the habits and mindset necessary for success in their careers.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: The...
Kindle Edition
$
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th...
Paperback
$$
(Español) Los 7 hábitos de la gente altamente efectiva....
Paperback
$$
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th...
Kindle Edition
$$
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Personal...
Kindle Edition
$$
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful...
Audible Audiobook
$$
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People: Revised...
Paperback
$$
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Personal...
Paperback
$
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People
Paperback
$$
Daily Reflections for Highly Effective People:...
Paperback
$$
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful...
Paperback
$$
(Italiano) Le 7 regole per avere successo: The 7 Habits of...
Kindle Edition
$$
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Provides a practical guide to the Lean Startup methodology, which can help researchers develop and test new ideas quickly and efficiently. It can help researchers avoid wasting time and resources on ideas that are not viable.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Effortless
Save
Provides practical advice on how to set priorities and focus on the most important tasks. It can help researchers identify and prioritize the most important aspects of their work, and avoid getting bogged down in less important tasks.
Effortless
Paperback
Check
Effortless
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Create the Future + The Innovation Handbook
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to the innovation process. It can help researchers develop and implement innovative solutions to the challenges they face in their work.
Create the Future + the Innovation Handbook:...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Save
Provides a framework for understanding how disruptive technologies can lead to the downfall of established companies. It can help researchers understand the challenges of innovation and develop strategies for overcoming them.
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Paperback
$$
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Schoolishness
Save
Challenges the traditional view of extroverts as being more successful than introverts. It provides insights into the strengths and challenges of introverts, and can help researchers understand and leverage their own introverted tendencies.
Schoolishness: Alienated Education and the Quest...
Paperback
$$
Schoolishness: Alienated Education and the Quest...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Rating
4.8 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
Approx. 20 hours
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado System
Instructor
Anne M. Libby, PhD
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Helps research leaders develop necessary management skills to enhance career success
Appropriate for early career researchers who want to strengthen management skills
Provides practical guidance for effectively implementing funded research projects
Taught by experienced research leaders, senior scientists, and administrative leaders
Covers essential topics such as leadership, finance, management, mentorship, and research integrity
Encourages learners to think strategically about building their own mentorship team
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