How do you find and keep great research staff?

2 Use multiple channels

Once you have defined your needs, you need to use multiple channels to reach out to potential research staff. You can use online platforms, such as job boards, social media, and professional networks, to post your vacancies and showcase your organization's profile. You can also use offline methods, such as referrals, events, and publications, to spread the word and build your reputation. Using multiple channels will help you increase your visibility and access a wider and more diverse pool of candidates.

3 Assess fit and potential

When you receive applications from interested candidates, you need to assess their fit and potential for your research team. You can use various tools and methods, such as resumes, cover letters, portfolios, tests, and interviews, to evaluate their skills, knowledge, and experience. You can also use behavioral and situational questions, scenarios, and simulations, to assess their attitudes, values, and problem-solving abilities. Assessing fit and potential will help you select the best candidates who can perform well and adapt to your research environment.

4 Offer competitive rewards

After you have selected the best candidates, you need to offer them competitive rewards to persuade them to join your research team. You can offer financial rewards, such as salaries, bonuses, and benefits, to match or exceed the market rates and reflect their value and contribution. You can also offer non-financial rewards, such as recognition, feedback, training, and career development, to motivate and engage them and support their growth and satisfaction. Offering competitive rewards will help you attract and retain great research staff who feel appreciated and rewarded.

5 Provide support and guidance

Once you have hired great research staff, you need to provide them with support and guidance to help them succeed and thrive in your research team. You can provide support and guidance by setting clear and realistic goals and expectations, providing regular and constructive feedback, facilitating communication and collaboration, resolving conflicts and issues, and recognizing and celebrating achievements. Providing support and guidance will help you keep great research staff who feel supported and guided.

6 Promote learning and innovation

Finally, you need to promote learning and innovation to help your research staff grow and improve their performance and quality. You can promote learning and innovation by encouraging curiosity and creativity, providing opportunities and resources for learning and development, fostering a culture of experimentation and feedback, and rewarding innovation and improvement. Promoting learning and innovation will help you keep great research staff who feel challenged and inspired.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?