Chapter 13G.1

Description: Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist

Note: Members of the FAS and University community are expected to familiarize themselves with, and conform to, Harvard policies on teaching, research, and service, as appropriate to their position. Please see Chapter 2, “FAS and University Policies,” for more information.

In keeping with Harvard University’s Intellectual Property policies and other research policies, faculty and researchers are expected to sign electronically the Harvard University Participation Agreement by the start of their appointment.

Research Scientists

Research Scientist appointments are made to secure the paid professional services of an individual in support of research projects directed by one or more faculty members. While Research Scientists have a modicum of independence in pursuing their research, they are, ordinarily, expected to contribute to the intellectual pursuits of the Harvard faculty member’s research program or support the needs of a core facility or research center. They may supervise other researchers. The Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist appointments (see 13G) are part of a professional research track, not an academic track that would lead to a possible faculty appointment. Due to the importance of in-person mentoring with their faculty sponsor and having the opportunity to interact with colleagues and researchers within their department, it is expected that Research Scientists work on campus.

Individuals receiving this appointment will possess a doctoral degree at the time of appointment and ordinarily will have had at least five years of postdoctoral experience.

Research Scientists may not be designated as “principal investigator” or “project director” without the explicit approval of the divisional dean. They may, however, be designated as co-principal investigator on projects in which they play a major role and in which another Harvard individual with PI privileges serves as principal investigator. (Please see the “Application for the Exceptional Granting of FAS or SEAS Principal Investigator Rights” form, available on the “Forms” page of the FAS website for faculty and researchers.)

The appointment, which is contingent on funding and space, is made for five years. Feedback on performance will be provided on an annual basis. Reappointment in this rank for an additional five-year term requires review in the penultimate year of appointment, with subsequent reviews for reappointment at similar intervals thereafter. Part-time appointments or non-consecutive appointments for a fraction of a year will ordinarily count as a one-year appointment for determining eligibility for a renewal or a review date. Associate professors at Harvard may not hold an appointment at this rank for 24 months following the termination of their last faculty appointment, except during the summer months immediately following their termination (in order to allow them to fulfill commitments to their grants).

Senior Research Scientists

Senior Research Scientist appointments are made to secure the paid professional services of an individual in support of the intellectual pursuits of a faculty member(s), department, core facility, or research center. Senior Research Scientists are able to conduct their own independent research in collaboration with a Harvard faculty member or in support of a core facility or research center. They may supervise other researchers. The Research Scientist (see 13F) and Senior Research Scientist appointments are part of a professional research track, not an academic track that is intended to lead to a possible faculty appointment. Due to the importance of having the opportunity to interact with colleagues and researchers within their department, it is expected that Senior Research Scientists work on campus.

Individuals receiving this appointment will possess a doctoral degree at the time of appointment and ordinarily will have had at least ten years of postdoctoral experience. Individuals should have a strong record of scholarly publications.

Senior Research Scientists have rights as “principal investigator” or “project director.”