GENERAL PROGRAM
What is the Research Concierge Program?
The Research Concierge Program (RCP) has been created to assist faculty in their onboarding at UCLA. It is a new program that is still growing, but ultimately it seeks to support all new faculty in navigating a very broad range of onboarding activities including research and creative activity needs, teaching and academic functions, and relocation and life transitions. In some cases, the program also assists UCLA faculty with their on-campus moves or those who have not yet completed their onboarding process. The RCP does not replace the functions of existing administrative groups; instead it serves as a key connection point and provides guidance and advocacy for faculty. Our goal is to make each faculty transition as quick, efficient and effective as possible!
The process begins with a virtual assessment meeting where we create a profile of your needs. This is converted into a timeline with key milestones that will guide all of the elements of your transition schedule. All of this is completed in coordination with the hiring department.
What is your scope of services?
The RCP assists faculty and administrators across a broad range of functions including:
- Personal, family, office, creative space and laboratory relocations
- Laboratory and creative space renovations
- Grant and award transfers
- Staff transitions and hiring
- Regulatory and safety approvals
- Data and IT needs
- Purchasing and connections with UCLA-approved vendors
- Research and creative activity collaboration connections
- International relocation support
- Connections to departmental and campus policies and resources
- Assisting new faculty begin their research
The RCP customizes the onboarding agenda to the specific needs of the faculty and the hiring department.
How are new faculty selected for participation in the RCP?
The RCP is a newly-formed unit and does not yet have the staffing to support all new faculty members. At this time, the heads of the academic units set the priority for who is fully covered and who is partially covered by the program. If you would like to be included, please talk to your departmental leadership team.
What types of new faculty are included in the program?
The RCP covers all types of new faculty from the Arts to the Sciences and from first-time faculty to senior-level professors. It does not just support research, but the entire range of research and creative activities that UCLA supports to advance the human condition. In some cases, the RCP can support existing faculty who are completing their transition to UCLA, are changing roles at UCLA or are beginning work in a new field.
Is there a charge or fee to utilize the RCP's services?
While there is not a fee for working with the RCP in general, we are a new group and are not yet staffed to cover all of campus. Some schools or departments have elected to support RCP staffing to ensure the availability of support for their hiring needs. The long-term goal is to support all faculty in all departments. Contact your departmental leadership team for more information.
I am an UCLA approved vendor and would like to work with new faculty- can the RCP help me?
We regularly work with vendors to assist faculty with their supply and equipment needs. If you are a UCLA-approved vendor and wish to connect with us, please contact us here.
I have an idea for the RCP. Who do I contact?
Please reach out to us here.
I have a question that isn't listed here. Who do I contact?
Please reach out to us here.
NEW FACULTY
I'm a faculty member and could use some guidance with my transition to campus. How do I request help?
Please contact your departmental leadership team to request assistance from the RCP.
How early can I begin working with the RCP?
We begin our work with new faculty as soon as possible – ideally, as soon as the offer letter has been accepted – in some cases, we may begin working with faculty as part of the interview process to ensure that the right facilities are available and can be ready as soon as possible. The process continues until the transition has been fully realized – generally 3 to 12 months depending on a number of factors. After the process has been completed, one or more follow up check-ins may be scheduled to ensure that everything is working as intended.
I conduct research, but it's not lab-based. Can the RCP help me?
Yes! We assist faculty engaging in a full range of research activities, including field and clinical research.
I'm an international faculty member. Can the Research Concierge Program help me with my transition?
Please contact your departmental leadership team to request assistance from the RCP.
I am currently employed by UCLA but will be appointed to a new faculty role. Can the Research Concierge Program help with my internal transition?
Yes, whether you are a clinical instructor transitioning to a tenured position, or a post doctoral scholar who has been offered a faculty appointment, the Research Concierge Program can help you acclimate to your new role.
I am a North Campus faculty member. Can the RCP help me?
Absolutely! We have the capacity to provide support to faculty members conducting research throughout campus. We have sizeable experience working with "wet lab" and "dry lab" researchers, including computational and clinical research, and we are excitedly expanding into other areas of research and creative activities.
Where can I find all of the trainings and authorizations I must complete prior to conducting research?
The Environment, Health and Safety Office (EH&S) provides a Research Safety Program Toolkit that allows users to determine all of the safety training requirements for their specific area of research.
I have utilized the RCP's services and would like to provide feedback. Is there a place to provide a service review?
Yes! Once we begin working with a faculty member, we send out follow-up surveys at the three month, six month, and one year marks (post-appointment) to gather crucial data on client satisfaction and growth. We use this data to better support our clients, at present and in the future.
HIRING DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL
I work with new faculty members (CAO/MSO, Fund Manager, etc.) and could use some help with their transition to campus. How do I request help?
Reach out directly to the RCP here.
How are onboarding activities divided between the RCP and the hiring department?
Just as the RCP tailors its services to the specific needs of each faculty member, it also customizes its communications and services to each academic unit on campus. Every hiring department has different needs, resources, policies and culture. When the RCP begins working with a new department, they seek to identify the specific desires of that department and align their approach with that group’s needs. Good communication is critical to a successful faculty onboarding.
ADMINISTRATIVE & CAMPUS SERVICE DEPARTMENTS
My department hasn't worked with the Research Concierge Program yet. How do we get connected?
We would love to collaborate with you! Please contact us here.
CREATING A RESEARCH CONCIERGE PROGRAM AT YOUR INSTITUTION
I do not work for UCLA, but for another campus that is interested in how the RCP works. Who can I contact to learn more?
The RCP is a new and innovative program that was created at UCLA through the joint support of the Vice Chancellors of Administration, Academic Personal and Research and Creative Activities. Since its successful pilot phase, several campuses have reached out to us to find out more. We are happy to share our experiences in an effort to grow support for faculty everywhere! Please reach out to us here.
