I have a few #protips for any ECR, but specifically if you're involved in analysis / computational / bioinformatics. Data are just bits on a harddrive until someone does something with them.
You're going to be approached to help with projects. All the time. Sometimes you have to say no. You're running a lab, you don't owe anyone anything.
Remember your job: do good research, get grants, keep your lab group employed. For people with no concept of computer work, you're necessary but dispensable.
Well funded people will approach you with data that requires a lot of effort for middle authorship. Or maybe 1% on their grant. That's fine. But do not work more than your effort level.
Great external collaborators will come along. For any collaborative work do not sign in if they say you can "charge them" for supplies. You have to have a sub contact.
This sub has to be SPECIFIC. Along the lines of "we will process / analyze no more than x type samples per year". Why is this needed? You're dispensable, remember? Without a sub your collabs can easily say "oh we need that money, sorry".
Someone wants help in a grant and there is "no room" in the grant for you. Write a letter. Say you will ADVISE the analysis. When the data and money comes, you'll be asked to do the work.
If you can't afford analysis, you can't afford the experiment. Now there are exceptions that I will make. Especially to help get preliminary data for another ECR.
I would be more willing to donate some of my time to ecr's from underrepresented groups rather than someone coming out of a mega lab that already has 5 science papers from their hhmi principal investigator
Mainly you have to remember every day that the work you're doing is important. And if you are indispensable but not worth supporting then it isn't worth your time. Learn to say no.
