If you must take this route, be aware of the following: Only graduate students in laser optics and electrical engineering will be useful as far as "upkeep" of the instrument is concerned because these are the only aspects of the device that will ever need (big) repairs. Service contracts are the only way to go on this. Of course, if you're the gambling type (I am), then forget about the service contract and bet that the amount of dollars spent on repairs will be less than the amount spent on the service contract. This is a bad bet for older instruments with Kr/Ar lasers. Be sure that the student put in charge fo the scope needs it for his/her own research - that way a vested interest exists for keeping it in tip-top shape. Also, be sure the person is going to be around for two years minimum - it is ashame to train someone and then have to go through the whole operation again in less than 18 months. Finally, be sure the individual passes on the knowledge before they depart. On the whole, however, I would argue against this route and for a "temporary" part-time staff person (the costs are roughly the same). Rob Palmer Ctr Env Biotech UT/ORNL >I would be interested in your opinion of the following issue. It is >has been a policy here that graduate students receiving institutional >stipends are given responsibility for the oversight/maintenance of >specific research instruments, ie, usually spectrophotometers, >centrifuges, etc. It is now being suggested that our LSCM system (BioRad >600 and Codonics printer; no maintenance contract in place) be included in >the list of instruments >for which a student will be assigned as "primary care" person, including >training of new users. Has anyone had experience with this type of >supervision and if so, has the arrangement been satisfactory? I would >also be interested in hearing opions from those not having had such an >experience but "what if"....? Your input is appreciated in advance. > >Fay Hansen-Smith, Associate Professor >Dept. Biological Sciences >Oakland University >Rochester, MI 48309-4401 >810-370-3574