Difficulties with a PI or Supervisor
Power dynamics can be problematic in the lab, and tensions sometimes mount. Here are some resources that may help if you are having trouble with your relationship with your mentor, PI, or supervisor.
Support Services at UCSF
Office for Postdoctoral Scholars
Free, individual advising appointments for postdocs.
tel: 415-476-1558
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
Free and confidential short-term, one-on-one assistance for postdocs.
tel: 415-476-8279
Office of the Ombuds
Free and confidential individual consultations, mediation, and conflict management services.
415-502-9600
UC Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Plan – Mental Health Care (includes alcohol and drug rehabilitation)
tel: 1-888-935-5966
See also Managed Health Network (MHN) Benefits overview
Sexual Violence Prevention & Response
Denise Caramagno, CARE Advocate
tel: 415-502-8802
Information and Resources
UC/UAW Postdoc Union Contract - Know your rights and responsibilities as a postdoc
uaw5810.org | tel 510-845-5726
UCSF Office of Ethics & Compliance
Responsible for evaluating and investigating all allegations of misconduct related to research at UCSF.
Theresa O’Lonergan, AVC - Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer
415-502-3468
Responsible Conduct of Research
Office of Research Integrity of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Report Suspected Misconduct
Confidential Hotline 800-403-4744
Website is hosted on EthicsPoint's secure servers and is not part of the University of California System website or intranet. You can report suspected misconduct anonymously by phone or through the website.
Guidelines on Research, Data, and Reports
Published by the UCSF Department of Neurosurgery, but broadly applicable.
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors
Offers guidance on authorship issues/conflicts.
Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors
Guidelines for conversations between postdocs and their PIs.
International Postdoc Survival Guide
Published by the National Postdoctoral Association
University Policies
UCSF Campus Code of Conduct
The principles and standards of conduct for everyone at UCSF.
UC Faculty Code of Conduct
Code of Professional Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct of University Faculty, and University Disciplinary Procedures.
UC Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline – APM 016
Includes types of disciplinary sanctions applicable to faculty.
UCSF Procedure for Investigation of Faculty Misconduct and the Administration of Discipline
Applies to any complaint of faculty misconduct received on or after January 20, 2016.
UCSF Integrity of Research Policy
It is the policy of UCSF to respond fully and fairly to all allegations of research misconduct and to comply with the reporting requirements of applicable funding agencies.
University of California Policy on Integrity in Research
Misconduct means fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scholarly and scientific community for proposing, conducting, or reporting research. Misconduct does not include honest error or honest differences in interpretations or judgments of data.
UC and UCSF Policies on Sexual Violence and Harassment
Everyone at UC — students, faculty, postdocs, staff and administrators — has the right to a safe learning and working environment. Each of us plays a critical role in ensuring the university is a safe place, and should know the rules of being part of the UC community.
Whistleblower Policy & Whistleblower Protection Policy
UC and UCSF policies on Reporting Improper Governmental Activities and Protection Against Retaliation.
Articles with Practical Tips
5 Keys to Handling Judgmental and Opinionated People from Psychology Today
6 Steps to Setting Boundaries in Relationships from the Huffington Post
Are You Too Nice? 7 Ways to Gain Appreciation & Respect from Psychology Today
Being Assertive: Reduce Stress, Communicate Better from Mayo Clinic
Ten Ways to Fight Your Fears from UK National Health Service
How to Handle a Bullying Boss from Wiki-How
Bosses Who Bully from Science Magazine
Work Environment: When Labs Go Bad from Nature