Time Management: Balancing
Family and Neuroscience
Mike Lehman, PhD
Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
University of Michigan
Co-Chair, SfN Professional Development Committee
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My personal journey
B.A. in Biology-Psychology
1975, Wesleyan University
Ph.D. in Neuroscience
1982, University of Michigan
Postdoc: 1982-83, University
of Michigan; 1983-86,
Columbia University
2006-?, Professor and Chair,
Dept. Anatomy and Cell Biology,
Univ. Western Ontario
2010-, Professor, Dept.
Physiology, OB-Gyn, CoDirector, Reprod.Sci. Prog.,
Univ. Michigan
Faculty member: 1986-2005,
Dept. Cell Biology,
Neurobiology And Anatomy,
University of Cincinnati
2005-2010, Professor and
Chair, Dept. Anat. & Cell
Biol., Univ. Western Ontario
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The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario (December 2005)
Family: when and how

There are no perfect times, each stage of career has
different challenges

Early stage (student, postdoc, fellow):
◦ Pro: More flexible when you need more time
◦ Con: lower income, demands of training

Early faculty:
◦ Pro: More energy; negotiate for fewer responsibilities in some
areas of job (clinical, administrative)
◦ Con: tenure clock, can it really be stopped?

Mid-career faculty:
◦ Pro: higher income, paid help
◦ Con: more demands in job; higher expectations once the bar has
been set
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Institutional support

What roles do academic institutions play in the
balancing act between family and a scientific career?
◦ Univ. Cincinnati:
 No support; no maternity leave (negotiation with
chair)
 long waiting lists for university day care
 no break at evaluations/promotion/tenure
◦ Univ. Western Ontario:
 Possibility for one year maternity leave
 Tenure clock stops
 funding agencies
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Federal support for work/life
balance

NSF: “NSF Career-Life Balance Initiative,” a 10-year plan
to provide greater work-related flexibility to women
and men in research careers. Includes:
• Allow postponement of grants for child
birth/adoption
• Allow grant suspension for parental leave
• Supplements to cover research technicians
• Promote family friendliness for panel reviewers

NIH: NIAID offers supplement for tech replacement for
postdoc on leave; NIH-wide policies allow grant funds to
be used for parental leave and child care
(grants.nih.gov/grants/family_friendly.htm)
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Lique’s practical tips

Time management:
◦ Manage your tasks/time at work
◦ Post your ideal schedule where you can see it
◦ Audit your actual time budget to see what changes
you want to make

Know your personality and set realistic goals:
◦ Be true to yourself, your values and passions
◦ Give yourself permission to not be perfect; don't
beat up on yourself
◦ Find ways to deal with stress: exercise, make time
for yourself, reward yourself
◦ Don't compare yourself to others
◦ Be realistic about your expectations re: balancing
work and family life
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How did we handle child care?

Cincinnati, OH
◦ daycare

London, Ontario
◦ Part-time nanny

Ann Arbor, MI
◦ Au pair

Meetings/conferences
◦ Plan and alternate!
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Bottom-line

It’s totally
worth it!
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