Basic policy:
- Be aware that research is a team play, and everyone should properly use and manage shared resources such as equipment, reagents, and data.
- Be aware that you are a member of society and take responsibility for your actions. Universities are also a part of society, meaning that you are entitled to act according to (Japanese) society’s rules beyond the laboratory rules responsibly.
- Understand the status of shared resources, interests, knowledge of members’ research, and our laboratory principle.
Research:
- Understand the significance of your research theme (The method is not the purpose).
- Conduct research responsibly. Think, consult, and discuss actively.
- Research should not be synonymous with experimentation but should be conducted after careful consideration. (design experiments considering the results)
- Consider the reason for “failure” before proceeding. Even if it is a technical error, determine the cause and countermeasure of the technical error. Failure to follow the hypothesis is not a failure. Also, it is not “unusable” data. Be sure to consult with members about the data that comes out negative or positive. Do not decide to discard the data.
- Keep in mind that individual resources and laboratory resources, including time, are finite. (Way to use budget is also a social responsibility)
- You may be required to compensate for equipment damaged or lost reagents if caused intentionally or do negligence.
- Think about how to use time, which is finite. (Consult and decide the next step based on the schedule of 1 week, three months, one year, three years, and the summary of the results)
- Know that thesis for undergraduate, master course, doctor course, are not different, only the deadlines and requirements are different. The results should be prepared to be published in international research journals.
Laboratory life:
- We encourage you to be in lab between 9:00–17:00 (but you can adjust working hours based on your work style for keep the highest effectiveness by getting permission from professors), and take your responsibility to do cleaning because this time scale can efficiently promote our teamwork and laboratory maintenance. Please contact us in advance if you couldn’t be present on your duty day.
- Considering responsibility for your safety and credibility of data, please ask for supervisor’s permission when you need to finish your work after 21:00 or to start before 7:00 or need to work on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Spontaneously report (at least weekly), contact, and consult with mentor for better working on your study programs. Be sure to inform the lab in advance and add your schedule on our shared calendar when you will be absent or late.
- Act with general social norms and common sense. No part-time jobs that prevent participation in daily lab activities or violate safety guidelines. The laboratory is a place of learning and research, please always act with integrity, maturity, and professionalism.
- Communicate and behave appropriately and professionally, and keep in mind that members are from different cultural backgrounds. Be kind, respectful, and willing to hear voice from others. Actively join discussion in meetings with your constructive and positive idea and feedback.
- Make sure the table is clean every day you leave the lab.
Safety management:
- Be aware of hazardous materials in the laboratory. Understand the usage and danger of equipment and be sure to follow the laboratory rules such as management of hazardous substances, placement of reagents on the experimental bench, and separation of disposal materials.
- Do not forget to check reagent management (control book, return to the original location, etc.), gas, water, and electricity.
- Do not allow people outside the laboratory to enter the laboratory without permission. (To avoid theft, research delays, accidents, etc. Pay attention to the key management of each room)
- If you are not feeling well, do not work, and stay home. In that case, be sure to inform the members that you will be returning home. (Not only to get well but also to prevent infection to others and prevent experiment failure due to inability to concentrate)
Finally:
Nothing could be happier for us if you feel that your experience in our laboratory is beneficial for your thinking process. It is a crucial skill, beyond learning research results, techniques, and knowledge, for socializing, working, and living skills to live in societies.