General Rules
Acknowledgement: This webpage was modifed based on the content from Prof. Piero Canepa's website.
Culture
Our group has a collegial and informal working environment, with an emphasis on collaboration and open dialogue among team members. We highly encourage afternoon coffee and tea breaks as they often serve as catalysts for stimulating discussions that yield innovative ideas. While research remains our top priority, we firmly believe in the importance of maintaining a balanced social life alongside one's professional pursuits. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you cultivate hobbies outside your primary field of work.
Many important discoveries come from discussions. One of the famous examples is the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, which was made at the Eagle Pub in Cambridge.
Usage of Generative AI
Generative AI and large language models (LLMs) are powerful tools to aid your research; however, they should be used with caution, particularly when composing papers and documents. The accuracy and reliability of the content generated from these models may not yet be satisfactory. It is highly advisable that you only use this tool to enhance your English writing after producing an initial draft. You must verify all facts and accuracy within the generated content. Furthermore, using free, publicly available generative AI might pose potential issues with data leaks.
You may self-host open-source LLMs on a workstation equipped with GPUs to enhance your English writing. NUS also offers NUS Chat, Minute Mate, and PDFAide, which you can access through the Workspace One platform.
Office/Lab Etiquett
English is the language of international science and the language that is expected in all office conversations. You may use other languages for social interactions, but not for scientific discussions. It is to your benefit to practice conversing in English, whatever your comfort level is.
Though we are a computational group, and I understand the desire to work from home from time to time, please note that you are expected to be in office during typical office hours (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM) most of the time. A major part of research is being present for discussions with your advisor and group members, which may take place on an ad-hoc basis.
Doing a PhD is not just about research, but also about becoming a professional. That means professional standards of conduct applies. This means punctuality, properly managing the expectations of your advisor and colleagues, and delivering on your promises. If in doubt, consider what is acceptable in a future office environment with colleagues and bosses.
Vacation Policy
All graduate students have officially one month of vacation per year, excluding public holidays. However, this is negotiable depending on your research progress.
The first thing you need to do is the submit a request for vacation (even if it is for a day) to your advisor. Do not make any travel arrangements before approval has been given.
You are not expected to work while on vacation. So this is really the occasion where you plug off.
However, if you will be away for an extended period (e.g., for visa applications, etc.) exceeding reasonable vacation limits, you are expected to work while you are away. Under those circumstances, no excuses are accepted for work not being done. Examples of unacceptable excuses are a poor internet connection, jet lag, personal/social commitments, etc. The professional gets the job done, regardless of circumstances.
Upon vacation approval, you should enter the period that you are away in the DENG group calendar. This is so that the group can arrange to handle some of your responsibilities if needed.
Leaving the Group
You cannot take away any purchased equipments (tagged with asset number) with you when you're leaving, including laptops because they're the university's assets. Account office will check these assets every year.
An exit interview will be conducted when you leave the group. You will have the opportunity to share your private thoughts on your experience in the group as well as providing suggestions for further improvement.
The Social Officer will set up a farewell dinner or social event. This should be set up close to the actual date of departure.
As for data, there are no problems bringing all data you have generated with you, e.g., by copying the data to a personal hard drive, subject to the understanding that your supervisor expects unfinished work to be completed even after you leave the group and that no data that is generated during the time within the group is published without his expressed permission. As for accounts, we are happy to continue to provide access to computing resources, etc. for a period of up to one year after you leave if it is required for the completion of unfinished work. This can be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Computer Officer (DB, Data, Computing, Software, etc.) are responsible for ensuring the user lists in their respective resources are up to date.
The News Officer should update the group web page to move the person to the alumni section.