One of the most serious responsibilities in science is mentorship–that is the professional training (including above and beyond science) that a senior investigator ethically owes to one’s trainees. I link above to University of Michigan’s standards, which I think worked pretty well for me.
A key component is the notion of appropriately crediting a trainee’s research accomplishments with the overall goal of evolving that person’s credibility as an independent investigator–absolutely critical for the trainee successfully competing for an academic job. This obligation can occasionally be viewed by the mentor as in conflict with hers or his own self interests as a scientist. When this conflict intersects with the inherent power relationship between mentor and trainee, it can result in serious trouble.
My only advice here is for trainees to be exceedingly careful in choosing their mentors. Once the “trouble stage” has been reached, things rarely turn out optimally. In the next post, some simple rules of thumb for choosing a mentor.
Jim
Discoverers and Discoveries 