Leiden Research Support: how our researchers and support staff achieve success together
In the complex academic playing field, it is crucial that researchers and research support professionals know how to find each other. At Leiden University, these collaborations are indispensable too, say professor Gilles van Wezel and project manager Mariana Avalos Garcia. ‘Without support, this project would be a disaster.’
Hi Gilles and Mariana, how did your collaboration come about?
Gilles: ‘My research centres around bacteria that produce antibiotics. In order to study these bacteria, I run a large lab and collaborate in many public-private partnerships with the industry, as well as a big EU-funded project. Over the years, I’ve taken on so many projects that I need additional coordination power, because I simply can’t handle everything by myself.’
Mariana: ‘I actually came to the Netherlands to do my PhD with Gilles over ten years ago. Later, while doing a postdoc in Wageningen, I developed an interest in project coordination. I saw how much it was needed and realised how having certain background knowledge can be a plus. When I came back to Leiden, Gilles was both director of the Institute of Biology as well as a full professor with a large lab. That’s basically two fulltime jobs, so some support was very much needed.’
What kinds of projects do you work together on?
Mariana: ‘I manage all of Gilles’ research projects, ranging from national to European, from fundamental science to more applied. Currently, the largest project is an EU Horizon 2020 funded consortium of fourteen European partners exploring how marine microorganisms can be used to develop new medicines, with Leiden leading the charge.
‘Project management requires specific expertise, you need to have affinity for it’
Gilles: ‘Basically, the whole programme coordination lies with Mariana, and the scientific coordination lies with me. So I’m responsible for initially getting the grant, and then later making sure that everything runs smooth scientifically.’
Mariana: ‘As project manager, I ensure that everyone does their job. I keep an eye on deadlines and make sure the deliverables and milestones are completed on time. I plan and coordinate the reports, the meetings, and am a central point of contact and communication between the partners, the European Union through our project officers as well as our stakeholders. Overall, I monitor the progress of the project, risks and mitigation measures as well as keep an overview of our finances so the project runs as smoothly as possible to allow the researchers to perform the science.’
This may be a rhetorical question, but Gilles, could you do this project without Mariana?
Gilles: ‘No, that would be a disaster! It’s very highly structured and complex. There are reviewing audits, financial details, a lot of organization… all of that requires specific expertise, you need to have affinity for it. I have affinity for science and for getting grants, I’m good at that. But coordination at this level is different. Also, I simply don’t have enough time. I think Mariana spends two days a week on this EU-project alone.’
Mariana: ‘We also often work together with the project controllers and talk regularly with grant advisors. So research support is really about collaborating with professionals within the Leiden Research Support Network from all different domains, faculties and institutes.’
How can Leiden researchers become more aware of our university’s research support?
Mariana: ‘I think it would be great if our more experienced colleagues, like Gilles, would encourage younger generations to reach out. With my own background as a scientist, I really enjoy helping out our PhD’s and postdocs by organizing regular meetings for them. They appreciate that bit of support. Even if I’m not the right person to help them, I know the structures within our university and where I can point them towards. Like the Research Support Portal, which serves as a guide for researchers during all phases of their projects.’
‘Research support is really about collaborating with professionals from all different domains, faculties and institutes’
Gilles: ‘I also think that when it comes to research support, in the end it’s a positive net result for an institute as well as for the university. For example, we bring in more grants because of grant support, which in return gives us more PhDs, more overhead, and so on. And a project manager will enable you to not only do more, but also to get it right. Without support, I never would have been able to do some of the projects we’ve taken on.’
Lastly, Mariana, is the Leiden Research Support Network of value to you?
Mariana: ‘Very much! The network helps you learn who your points of contact are across the university: from grant advisors and project controllers to data stewards and librarians. You also get to know support colleagues with positions you didn’t even know existed. But if at some point you will need their help, you’ll know who to reach out to. And we have our own community of project managers within the network. That way if you have a certain question or problem, chances are there is always someone with the necessary experience to help you solve it.’
About the Leiden Research Support Network
The Leiden Research Support Network is the network for research support professionals within Leiden University. This network allows research support professionals from different domains to enhance their synergy in communities: exchanging expertise and experiences, and working as a team to answer researchers’ sometimes complex questions. The network’s strength lies in teamwork that transcends the boundaries of faculties and institutes.
Are you a researcher looking for ways to fund your research project? The Research Support Portal serves as a guide during all phases of (externally funded) research projects.
Text: Evelien Flink
Banner: Van Wezel lab Science Day 2022