RLE exists to strengthen the ability of every PI to be successful. Becoming a PI presents you with a wide variety of new managerial challenges that you may not have been exposed to earlier in your career. As a brand-new junior faculty member, you may be eager to know more about MIT researchers with complementary interests or funding opportunities. In RLE, you will have the opportunity to be matched with a more senior faculty colleague as a mentor.
Mentoring can include help with identification of potential research partnerships, assistance with proposal research and pitching an idea or project scope, and management advice on all aspects after the award is made. Thus, a member PI can expect and request guidance concerning activities from the inception of the proposal to financial management of the research project. Special issues may lead to small group meetings to discuss group leadership, communications skills (oral, written and web), relevant conferences to attend, and building relationships with researchers from other institutions. There is always open access for advice about scientific and career questions.