NQS research mindset
- Public service mindset.
- We are funded by taxes and by this we took up a commitment to everyone else to contribute new solutions.
- Science is not here to indulge us or be for our convenience.
- We serve to the extent we are able to and we stretch ourselves towards excellence, same like top athletes just in research.
- Value over prestige.
- We avoid ambulance chasing and similar biases. At the same time it is our duty to appreciate the worth of the work contributed by our peers and we seek to benefit from it.
- We never bullshit to an experimentalist. Not about our level of understanding of what will happen, not about what we can help with. Bullshit is self-serving and is not to be tolerated.
- We are here to generate value, for all of us.
- Freedom to do science.
- Doing science is a priviledge and we enjoy it.
- It is creative and we enjoy it.
- We enjoy it!
- Diversity.
- Physics is a suitable vocation for those on the autistic spectrum. All members of NQS are informed about neurodivergence, ASD and ADHD; those on the spectrum are advised how to navigate crucial societal aspects of research. In general, NQS knows the value of finding solutions and systems helping and supporting its members to thrive.
- Science is a platform for humanity’s town hall of ideas; science withers in echo chambers. Learn about cognitive biases and make an intention for positive action, especially the ones particularly triggering to you.
- “Well, if you’re not fully utilizing half the talent in the country, you’re not going to get too close to the top.” If you don’t know it, check this quote with Gemini. Either way: Think about it.
- Conflicts are to be constructive.
- Negotiating contention points need not be a zero-sum game.
- LLMs are quite good in helping navigate different issues.
- When in doubt, apologize.
NQS operational habits
- Buffered admin: Admin inquiries are to be sent by emails scheduled for 8 am on Mondays and labeled [Admin request/continuation/important].
- Exception to this should be just that - exceptions. Learn to plan ahead.
- Creating a unnecessarily urgent mess will be called out and will be marked on performance review after 3 consecutive occurances without improvement.
- Marek, in exchange, promises to move your matter ahead.
- Weekly check-in meetings: What will you intend to do?
- Take place online on Mondays at 8 30 am for early birds and at 5 pm for night owls.
- Each participant is to have sent a recap email scheduled for Monday 8 30 am which will be screenshared.
- The goal is to set the intention (formulate the prioritized outcome) pursued in the rest of the week.
- Paper notebooks: Have one. Fill it. Review it and get a new one.
- You can get one from lvl 4 or invest in your own seeing it as the major tool of your craft.
- Take notes when attending meetings. That’s the point of the meeting. Marek likes to talk but dislikes repeating - if it was said in a meeting, it should be in your notebook and assume every instruction is a one-time transmission. If you’re worried, follow up with an email listing your next actions.
- Ask Marek about the ratchet method for logging your progress and try it.
- Lunch: Upstairs table, choped at 11:30 am.
- Calendar: A testimony to your labor and goals.
NQS Onboarding after joining.
- You will notice Marek signs his emails simply as “Best regards, Marek” and if you see that then please feel free to reply with “Hi Marek, …”. While formal greetings are never “wrong,” we prefer a direct and informal style. This is part of a larger effort to keep a flat hierarchy and makes communication more efficient and friendly.
- Shadowing: In your first week, Marek will invite you to shadow him which should make for a smoother starting experience and allow you to meet people and learn the suggested culture.
- First month prototyping: You will be assigned your main (first author) project. As long as you cannot disprove the viability of the project direction (The project is likely sound and don’t confuse your confusion with the project not being viable. You will receive a strategically important subject which had time to be disregarded but wasn’t defered likely because it offers an opportunity useful to someone e.g. partners outside NQS. If you’re coming to NQS then trust your first project because we don’t hire just to hire.), that project is yours to contribute to the collective NQS efforts and it is your responsibility to show weekly progress on the project that you are curating. In the first month be pragmatic to asap get a first result on the assigned direction, e.g. a plot, and only then be a perfectionist. Keep it in mind: When you are prototyping you are specifically tasked with avoiding things being perfect and instead please make headway which you will then consolidate.
- We use email: It forces you to propose solutions (i.e. think before you ‘speak’) and you’d be surprised how much more efficient it can be than Slack. Telegram is recommended when instant messaging is required. Telegram is suggested but only because it’s easier to snooze this app over Whatsapp which you may be using with your family. Definitely do not msg Marek about admin on Whatsapp on Sunday morning because that’s when he’s playing chess.
- If you update Marek by email about new progress then it is more useful if the descriptions come with a github link to the relevant portion of the code or the notebook.
- Your expected workload: Don’t get a burnout. Draw a mindmap, list your projects, think in terms of ‘next actions’. Sometimes a burnout ‘just’ happens but, nah, usally it’s the culture and manager. Keep in touch on your workload amount with Marek.
- Personal health: You doing well, physically and mentally, is essential. If you have medical needs, do not hesitate to brainstorm with Marek how to be supported. While Singapore does not have statutory menstrual leave, NQS values the spirit of this wellness provision and provides flexibility in workload planning to ensure all team members can prioritize their well-being when needed.
- Solo growth: Each advanced NQS member is entitled to working on 1 solo project outside the group at a time as long as it’s not straining on the objectives that must be fulfilled through your hiring. It should not compete with NQS unless synced apriori. It should allow you to bring more knowledge to NQS.
- ‘Legacy’ projects: Do not come to the group with unfinished papers because it is the responsibility of your previous PI to have funded and managed your work to complete it; check with Marek about adjusting the transition period and his expectation for you to be ready on day 1.
- Big problems: All members are entitled to designating 2 hs per week to work on open problems from quantiki. It can be 4 hs if they can make serious progress on [https://oqp.iqoqi.oeaw.ac.at/separability-from-spectrum]. Ask Marek for endorsing a different big problem to work on alone and remember Wiener’s useful noise: “I found a solution. What problem have I solved?”
- Operational readiness: By contract, you must present yourself ready to work in the agreed work hours. Moreover, while international members of NQS do not participate in Singapore’s National Service, it is important for everyone to maintain their physical fitness as part of self-care and mental hygiene.
- Rest: Use your annual leave in time. Don’t sprint a marathon. Make sure you enjoy your work.
