One of the hurdles new faculty member Yingjie Li experienced when she joined SFU last fall was the transition from being a PhD student focused on research, to being responsible for research administration duties in a brand new environment.
Yingjie Li, assistant professor, computer engineering
An assistant professor in the School of Engineering Science, Li was excited to be teaching and setting up her research group after earning her PhD in computer engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. She was simultaneously teaching and researching while learning the ropes at SFU.
"Everything in my research lab is being built from scratch, so as a new faculty member I had to learn quickly how to hire students, manage grants, handle administrative tasks, and balance teaching with research," shares Li. "Thanks to the Research Support Sessions, I learned about the many resources on campus that I can reach out to for help."
Building and thriving in a new research career
Settling into a new university as a newly hired faculty member can be challenging. Ensuring new faculty have the support they need to be successful is a priority area of SFU's Strategic Research Plan (SRP).
Early career researchers must navigate numerous demands teaching new courses, recruiting students and research staff, adapting research spaces, and managing the complexities of grant funding.
New SFU faculty members are welcomed with an orientation from the Faculty Relations Office and are also given access to a suite of Research Support Sessions developed by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI).
These sessions are designed to help them navigate the SFU research landscape. Topics include research finance, international collaborations, hiring research employees, award readiness, and more.
Since their launch in fall 2024, these sessions have continued to evolve to meet the needs of new faculty, while also serving as a valuable refresher for seasoned faculty and new research staff.
Cara Tremain, assistant professor, archaeology
Cara Tremain, a new faculty member with the Department of Archaeology, also benefitted from the research support sessions after joining SFU last summer. Specializing in museums, antiquities, and ancient Mesoamerica, Tremain found that navigating SFU's many systems can be a challenge for newcomers.
"Knowing where to go and who to ask has definitely helped me work more efficiently," she says. "The awards readiness and research priorities sessions were especially helpful for understanding award applications and expectations."
Since arriving at SFU, Tremain has secured a Faculty of Environment Spark Grant and applied for a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Partnership Development Grant with colleagues.
She recommends attending support sessions. "You can ask questions and connect with people who can help. You don't know what you don't know, so it's best to gather as much information as possible early on. Someone else has done the hard work you just need to show up."
Early career mentorship and more
As the Research Support Sessions continue to evolve to meet the needs of early career researchers at SFU, work is ongoing to provide support that boosts their success.
A new pilot program launched in November, Early Career Mentorship Program, is designed to support new faculty members by pairing them with experienced senior faculty mentors. This institutional initiative aims to foster professional growth, collaboration and build a sense of inter-disciplinary community among faculty. Canvas training courses on key research support services for researchers are in the works.
Choosing to teach and conduct research at SFU is an excellent choice, and there are many places to find the support and services needed to thrive.
New and junior faculty, or anyone in a research-related role can join the Research Support Sessions. The next research priority session is planned for February 5, 2026.
Additionally, faculty and staff can provide feedback and ideas on ways to support early career researchers, by reaching out to Varundeep Chahal in the VPRI Office at vchahal@sfu.ca.
To learn about other ways SFU is supporting new faculty, visit:
