WHAT WE DO
The Research Concierge Program (RCP), a unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activities (ORCA), provides holistic onboarding support for faculty by facilitating coordination across campus entities to streamline the launch of their research and creative activities. RCP ensures a cohesive and efficient onboarding experience customized to each faculty member’s needs. The program is primarily supported by ORCA with contributions from academic units.
The Research Concierge Program is designed to strategically and effectively connect new faculty with essential groups and systems by identifying their specific needs prior to arrival. This approach accelerates their transition and ensures a smooth start to their research and creative activities at UCLA.
HOW WE DO IT
We apply a whole-person approach, founded in research conducted on faculty retention and productivity. Once a new faculty member accepts an appointment offer, the academic unit can contact RCP to initiate an intake meeting. A dedicated team member conducts a comprehensive initial assessment of the faculty member’s needs. This onboarding meeting addresses both professional and personal relocation considerations.
Using this information, our team develops a customized plan that coordinates all elements of their transition with existing organizational systems and services. The plan will be managed by an RCP team member who works weekly with the incoming faculty member and all campus partners. RCP remains actively involved until the faculty member is fully integrated into the university and their research and creative activities are fully operational.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Research at UCLA includes the endeavors across all academic disciplines that advance our thinking, our technology, our understanding of the world and our own humanity. Our program’s focus is supporting new faculty in initiating or transferring their research and creative activities to UCLA as quickly and efficiently as possible.
As the number one public university system in the nation for 8 years straight and a global center for the advancement of human knowledge, we have a duty to support the advancement of research and creative activities, which includes eliminating challenges that stand in the way, while being fiscally responsible stewards of public funding.
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Mete Civelek joined UCLA in July 2025. For information regarding his research and lab, please visit his website. Welcome, Dr. Civelek!
Dr. Cinthya Salazar joined UCLA in July 2024. You can find more information regarding her research on her website. We enjoyed working with you, Dr. Salazar!
Dr. Valerie Tornini joined UCLA in July 2024. Details about her research and lab can be found on her website. It was a pleasure working with you, Dr. Tornini!
What are faculty saying about the Research Concierge Program?
“Having a Research Concierge was TRANFORMATIVE. This had a huge impact on our productivity. No one could believe how quickly we got up and running.”
"This program has been instrumental to getting my lab off the ground and I honestly do not know where I would be without it.”
“Congrats on an AMAZING program. It was amazing for me, and also I have heard good things about it from other junior faculty.”
“RCP was incredibly helpful, kind and provided insightful, reliable and excellent guidance.”
"Research Concierge was amazing in answering the questions, helping with the purchases and relocation, and essentially helping navigate UCLA at first..”
“I worked with RCP and they are terrific. Having that much knowledge and know how was terrific!”