Analyzing graduate student views on the challenges of self-guided leadership and team structure in a laboratory setting.

The Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training (QE-CDT) at the University of Bristol prepares PhD students to enter a dynamic quantum workforce. The QE-CDT familiarizes first-year students with quantum engineering through a series of theory and team-based lab courses; a large focus of the labs being teamwork. We analyzed student views of leadership and team structure with a codebook based on the Adaptive Instrument for Regulation of Emotions survey to understand how programs like the QE-CDT can better train PhD students for future research and careers. We found that developing leadership and team organization skills were primary goals for students, but that they were often concerned that there would not be enough opportunities to attain these goals. Furthermore, the lack of designated leadership roles and team structure led to specific challenges that students had to overcome. This work can provide guidance to institutions and instructors in developing more effective teamwork structures in graduate lab courses.