Ten simple rules for providing optimal administrative support to research teams

Conducting science nowadays is not only properly devoting time to research but also managing administrative tasks. With increasing amounts of time needing to be invested into these administrative tasks, it leads to less time devoted to science and research itself. According to a Nature survey, research group leaders point out having more institutional support for administrative tasks as one of the most important needs they have and that institutions need to provide this support to lab members in addition to the leaders [1,2]. Proper administrative support can have a remarkable impact on the scientific productivity of research groups by contributing to a more efficient and effective work environment. It allows the scientists to focus mainly on the science. With our experience as administrative-based staff in international research groups located in Japan, Europe, and the United States, we will lay out a number of rules that can provide guidance on where to apply efforts when assisting research teams in academic and research environments. These efforts are typically different from what is experienced when supporting teams in business and industry atmospheres. In research, people are used to freedom of thought and to sometimes challenging authority and questioning rules or any preestablished concepts. You need to be much more patient and flexible, and you don’t get desperate if things are different from what you were used to if you are coming from a different environment. These rules are mainly addressed to administrators directly supporting research teams, such as secretaries, assistants, project managers, research managers, operations managers, or any other similar job position. These roles typically have direct and immediate impact on the daily activity of research groups. These rules may also help the principal investigators and other research leaders understand the contributions and positive impact administrators have within a research group.