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them. Pinni, in recruiting new Shilo: With the detachment collaborating with seniors who
members, does the faculty from senior researchers I
consider the balance between totally disagree. I think that’s were your advisors in the PhD
theorists and experimentalists? a weakness at the Technion. It
Bar-Yoseph: Excellent bars new faculty members from or postdoctoral research is
research combines theory and pursuing a variety of research
experimentation under one directions they can work on. problematic, as well as the need
roof. A good research group Bar-Yoseph: The promotions
should have an appropriate committees expect full to show that you have engaged
balance between the two. As research independence, so
someone who is considered a collaboration with a senior in other research areas and did
an expert in computational researcher can be fatal for a
methods in mechanics, I believe beginning faculty member. If not just continue the research
that experimentation is no less you have published 20 articles
challenging than computation; and one or two of them are with you are familiar with, but what is
the experimental system, too,
must be carefully designed Bar-Yoseph: the problem if I collaborate with
to yield reliable results, a Faculty members should have
topic with which I am closely a constant, uncompromising a senior colleague?
familiar. The fundamental drive to advance the research,
difference lies in the investment a competitive entrepreneurial Bar-Yoseph: Joint work with
required for the equipment,
lab construction, and research spirit, dedicated advocacy colleagues at your own level is
budget for experimentalists. of new ideas, and academic
Give the theorist basic supplies leadership and teamwork not considered collaboration
and an office and he or she skills combined with teaching
can start working. Hiring an and mentoring capabilities. with senior researchers. Beyond
experimentalist is a complex
engineering task that demands senior researchers, then you that, it depends very much on
a substantial amount of time are obviously independent.
and resources. But if most of your publications the extent and nature of the
Shilo: And that is why we are were prepared with senior
all evaluated after being hired, researchers, out goes the collaboration.
and if within six years we have independence and leadership
not proven ourselves, there’s criterion and the research Shilo: Because of all of these
a chance we’ll find ourselves grants you have received are not
outside the faculty. credited to you. subtleties, it is important to
Bar-Yoseph: Yes, but a faculty Shilo: I understand that
member who demonstrates provide new faculty members
outstanding research and
teaching, academic leadership with guidance and direction.
and independence, and
complete separation from Bar-Yoseph: I strongly agree.
senior researchers, should have
no problem. When I started, the dean
wished me success on the
staircase. Until I was promoted
to Associate Professor, I had no
idea what I was up against. The
approach was “sink or swim:”
If you exert yourself, you will
become a faculty member and
if you sink—well, too bad. As
dean, I introduced a practice
of periodic meetings with all
the new faculty members and
made sure they received close
mentorship. Till this day, I
proudly follow the 18 faculty
members recruited during my
term; those who were promoted
and the ones I hope will be
soon. I believe we need to be
there for new faculty members
until they are promoted. After
all, their success is also our
own.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering | MEgazine | 27
