Dear everyone!
The technician mapping at K2 is ongoing, and Mia and I are in the process of talking to all our technicians. We will be finished with that during May, and then we will make a plan on how we can organize ourselves a little better. We also have to use the buy-out of technicians to a greater extent. After a few conversations, it struck me how little attention technicians have received over the years, so this leader is mainly to their credit. We have many research group and group leaders who are completely dependent on technicians who organize the activities in the lab, plan and carry out experiments, coordinate and collect samples for biobanks, operate expensive (and less expensive) research equipment, train students, supervise bachelor’s, master’s and Erasmus students, supervise and help PhD candidates, contribute to teaching (or rather: organize and hold practical laboratory courses we are responsible for), plus much more, and simply keep the wheels turning. Technicians are our often unfortunately invisible helpers who are essential for K2, and when it comes to the technicians associated with the core facilities, it is not only K2 employees who benefit greatly from their cutting-edge expertise, which often requires long training and experience, but also employees at other departments at MED, UiB, Haukeland University Hospital etc. Thank you so much to all of you who unfortunately are often overlooked!
A really good weekend, and hurray for May 17th!
Silke
