Use this sample and step by step explanation for setting meaningful and inspiring employee performance goals for a research scientist (life sciences).

A Research Scientist (Life Sciences) is accountable for designing, undertaking and analyzing information from controlled laboratory-based investigations, experiments and trials.

The essential functions for this post are planning and conducting experiments, preparing research proposals and funding applications/bids supervising junior staff including technicians, recording and analyzing data, carrying out fieldwork like collecting samples, presenting results to senior analysis management, writing research papers, reports, reviews and summaries, demonstrating procedures, preparing research proposals and funding bids, supervising junior staff including technicians, ensuring that quality standards are met, organizing materials testing, liaising with investigation and production staff, developing original solutions to problems, ensuring quality standards are maintained.

Employee Performance Goals Sample

Employee's Name: Title:
Review Period: __/__/__ to __/__/__ Employee SSN:
Work Location: Supervisor's Name:

Instructions

  1. Setting Goals: List specific goals in the space provided below each competency under "Performance Goals". Assign an appropriate timeline for each goal as well as numeric or financial terms to measure the goal.
  2. Employee Comments: The employee must comment next to each goal under "Employee Comments" with "Okay" for goals which he/she feels comfortable working with, and "Needs Clarification" for goals which he/she believes need to be discussed further. An employee who is comfortable with all the goals can sign the goals at this stage.
  3. Summary: Give a summary of the total time estimated for the employee to have achieved the goals. State action plans and specific milestones to track the goals. Any additional comments agreed between the employee and the supervisor should be noted here.
  4. Human Resources Review: Human resources personnel must confirm that the goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. He/she must then sign the goals in the "Human Resource" section provided under "Signatures".
  5. Signatures: When discussion of the goals has been completed and consensus has been reached, sign the goals and let the employee sign too. Send the final copy to the human resources for inclusion in the employee's professional records.

Performance Goals for Next Period

Performance Goals

Employee Comments

URGENCY:

Strive to be as flexible and committed while working on any assigned duty or task.

Improve on time management to be able to complete the assigned work on time.

[employee comments goal]
COOPERATION WITH COLLEAGUES:

Set personal goals that cultivate a team spirit in the business

Remain committed to the company's regulations without any compromise or prejudice

[employee comments goal]
ADAPTABILITY:

Learn new tricks and techniques that help build up confidence when dealing with different people

Work on accepting all types of change positively and handling changing workloads in response to changing circumstances

[employee comments goal]
HANDLING STRESS:

Set clear boundaries between work and home; avoid answering work calls or replying work e-mails when one is having some time off work

Schedule more time for things that help one feel fresh in the mind such as taking a walk or watching one's favorite TV show

[employee comments goal]
PERSISTENCE:

Realize that any goal worth reaching takes time and focus on expanding the range of tools one has to work with to achieve goals

Build confidence in oneself in order to remain persistent even when things don't work out

[employee comments goal]
PRACTICAL THINKING:

Think about the details or different parts of a problem in order to understand and explain it properly

Seek to determine whether the findings, arguments, and ideas represent the entire picture and be open to finding that they do not

[employee comments goal]
RESULTS ORIENTATION:

Learn how to identify the expected projects or goals results without the need for management's input

Give priority to achieving results for the department or company but make sure that it does not conflict with own goals or agenda

[employee comments goal]
BUSINESS ETIQUETTE:

Put extra effort in preparing for meetings ahead of time and show up on time for all meetings

Demonstrate politeness and confidence at all times and become more approachable

[employee comments goal]
DIVERSITY AWARENESS:

Put extra effort to promote professional development courses and forums that can enhance diversity

Avoid making jokes that might be offensive to others and be more respectful to people with diverse views

[employee comments goal]
RESEARCH:

Learn to break bigger issues into smaller manageable parts when handling complex research situations

Learn to use appropriate data collection methods when gathering data

[employee comments goal]

Summary

Sections 1-2: To be completed by the supervisor

Section 3: To be completed by the employee

1. Goals completed since last performance feedback

2. Goals for next period

3. Employee comments

Signatures

I acknowledge that I discussed this performance feedback with my supervisor. My signature does not mean that I agree or disagree with this appraisal.
Employee: Date:
Supervisor: Date:
Human Resources: Date:

Related Articles