The Challenges In Effective Selection And Induction Process:

Four months previously Professor Grant's application for additional funding for his current project was

approved. On the recommendation of a colleague (who had acted as postgraduate supervisor) in

another university Professor Grant had named Alex Spender as the research assistant to work on the

extension to the project. Alex joined Professor Grant's research team three months ago immediately

after completing her Ph.D. at another university. Her postgraduate work had overlapped exactly with

expertise needed on the project. She has now been in her first postdoctoral position for three months.

Two other research fellows work on the project (John and Charlotte), both of whom have been in post

for the last two years. Previously they had been postgraduates within the School.

Charlotte had emerged as the more proactive of the research fellows and Professor Grant has tended

to use her to help coordinate the project. Normally Professor Grant did not involve research fellows in

matters that affected employment or funding. However, since he would be absent at an important

conference when Alex Spender joined the research group he spoke to Charlotte and explained about the

appointment. An appointment of an excellent young researcher in this way helped the research group

avoid the bureaucratic recruitment cycle expected by the Personnel Department. Since her

appointment Charlotte had introduced Alex to those parts of the research work that she was to take

up. Charlotte had to fit this mentoring role alongside her other research activities.

3

Charlotte has met Professor Grants and stated her dissatisfaction towards Alex. Charlotte was

frustrated because she had been distracted from her own research by a number of complaints from

technicians and others in the department. These complaints had focused on Alex asking people to do

things that were not their responsibility. As one example Charlotte explained that it was departmental

policy for technicians to be assigned to particular research groups. No one could simply go to the

technician in another group and ask for help. Charlotte also believed that Alex was slow in getting

through her work. All in all she had formed the opinion that Alex was not up to the job. These difficulties

were sapping the morale of the research group.

Professor Grant has only been able to meet with Alex twice since her appointment because of his heavy

schedule of commitments. Charlotte thinks that as the Principle Investigator he should put a shot

across Alex's bow.

Professor Grant has called a meeting at which he intends to confront Alex with Charlotte's accusations.

A) What are the main issues concerning the function of recruitment and selection in this case?

B)If you were in Professor Grants position, what appropriate action would you take to solve

this issue?

C) How might the present situation be avoided in future?

(pls give long answer)