A.1.5 Mentored and Staff Scientific Appointments

1.0 Policy Statement
This policy addresses mentored and staff scientific appointments not otherwise addressed by Policies A.1.2 and A.1.3. The MBL Director’s Council is responsible for providing advice, recommendations and guidance for appointments within this policy.

2.0 Review and Oversight
All scientific appointments within this policy are under the authority of the Director of the Division of Research or designee, in consultation with Director’s Council and with supervising MBL Scientists.

3.0 Principal Scientific Titles and Appointment Processes
In addition to MBL Scientist positions described in Policy A.1.3, the MBL recognizes the following positions for scientific appointments:

  • 3.1 Postdoctoral Trainee Positions
     
    • 3.1.1 Postdoctoral Scientist

      Postdoctoral Scientist is a mentored position intended for researchers and scholars with an advanced degree at the level of Ph.D. or equivalent. The primary purpose of the position is to develop an individual’s research skills for his/her primary benefit, while typically also carrying out research as part of a mentor’s research program. This is a time-limited position, typically with a four-year maximum at MBL, with extension to five years for extraordinary circumstances, subject to approval by the mentor and the Director of the Division of Research. Postdoctoral Scientists are eligible to apply only for those grants and awards reserved for or normally given to holders of postdoctoral positions. Postdoctoral scientists who receive the majority of their funding from an honorary award or other sources independent from their supervisors normal funding, or who are supervised by an MBL faculty member but not employed by the MBL by virtue of an independent award, may be designated as Postdoctoral Fellows, but are considered Postdoctoral Scientists under this policy.
       

    • 3.1.2 Research Scientist

      Research Scientist is a mentored position intended for researchers and scholars with an advanced degree at the level of Ph.D. or equivalent and with at least four years of experience at the postdoctoral level or equivalent. The primary purpose of this position is to provide to individuals with significant postdoctoral training a mentored opportunity to further develop research and professional skills, especially including writing grant applications and serving as a co-P.I. This position is specifically intended to transition to an independent faculty or scientist position. Appointments are subject to review and approval by the Director of the Division of Research and may be granted P.I. status on a case-by-case basis, with permission of the MBL Director upon recommendation of the Director of the Division of Research.
       

  • 3.2 Research Professional Positions

    The primary purpose of these positions is to perform research at MBL in exchange for compensation, under the direction of a supervising MBL Scientist and P.I. Research professionals typically hold a Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree, or have exceptional research skills. These are non-faculty, supervised positions in support of projects, laboratories, programs or Centers. Support for these positions is the responsibility of the supervising MBL Scientist or Center; ordinarily, these positions are not eligible for institutional funding as outlined in Policy A.1.4.
     

    • 3.2.1 Research Associate

      Appointment as Research Associate is intended for individuals with less than five years of relevant experience in an equivalent position, or whose research role includes limited responsibility and independence. Research Associates are not eligible to serve as a P.I. or co-P.I.
       

    • 3.2.2 Senior Research Associate

      Appointment as Senior Research Associate is intended for individuals with at least five years of relevant research experience, and reflects greater responsibility and independence than the Research Associate position. Appointments are subject to review and approval by the Director of the Division of Research and may be granted P.I. status on a case-by-case basis, with permission of the MBL Director upon recommendation of the Director of the Division of Research.
       

  • 3.3 Staff Scientist Positions

    The MBL recognizes that members of the scientific staff in the Division of Research may have a professional status and role at the MBL that includes a component of scientific research. Such an individual may be appointed as Staff Scientist in addition to any other job titles related to their administrative role. Consideration of such appointments will be at the discretion of the MBL Director. Staff Scientists may participate in grant writing and sponsored research, and may be granted P.I. status on a case-by-case basis, with approval of the MBL Director upon recommendation of the Director of the Division of Research. The Director of the Division of Research must preapprove commitment of time and effort to sponsored projects with consideration of the Staff Scientist’s administrative duties.

4.0 Additional Scientific Titles and Appointment Processes

In addition to positions described above and in Policy A.1.2, the MBL recognizes that other individuals may wish to come to the MBL to conduct research for limited periods of time.

  • 4.1 Visiting Scientists

    Visiting Scientists are investigators who are sponsored by one or more MBL Resident Scientists for short-term visits of up to 12 months. The sponsoring MBL Scientist or Center is responsible for accommodating the Visiting Scientist’s research needs, including space and financial support. To be eligible, the Visiting Scientist must ordinarily have an active primary appointment at another institution or organization. All such appointments, regardless of the sponsoring unit, must be approved by the Director of the Division of Research prior to any invitation or offer of appointment. For safety and security reasons, any researchers or visitors in a Visiting Scientist’s laboratory must be supervised by the Visiting Scientist for the duration of their stay at the MBL.

    If visiting for 4-12 months, a Visiting Scientist must submit a CV and brief research proposal prior to approval. Extension of a Visiting Scientist appointment beyond 12 months should not be anticipated and will be considered only in unusual circumstances, subject to review and approval by MBL Director, in consultation with Director’s Council.

    Visiting Scientists are not eligible to serve as a P.I. on a grant submitted by the MBL.
     

  • 4.2 Appointment of Other Scientists

    The MBL recognizes that there may be from time to time be other categories of individuals whose professional status does not fit into any of the formal categories described in this policy or in policies A.1.2 or A.1.3. Consideration of such appointments will be at the discretion of the MBL Director.

5.0 Policy Clarification and Updates

Policy clarification and updates are available from the Division of Research or the Office of the MBL Director.