A.1.2 Organization of the Division of Research

Marine Biological Laboratory
Policy A.1.2

Initiated by: MBL Director
Approved by: MBL Director
Date: May 12, 2016
Distribution: MBL Scientific Staff

1.0 Policy Statement:
The Division of Research encompasses all research programs at the MBL (see Policy A.1.1). MBL scientists are organized into different categories, with different appointment procedures that vary depending on the nature of their research and scholarship and on their employment status, period of time in residence at MBL, and stage of career.

The MBL Director makes all final decisions regarding scientific appointments, reappointments, and promotions (see Policy A.1.3). Conducting research in MBL space and using MBL facilities is a privilege of appointment, upon approval of the MBL Director. No one may carry out research at the MBL and/or in MBL facilities without such approval.

2.0 Scientists at MBL

  • 2.1 MBL Resident Scientists
  • Resident Scientists are based at MBL and conduct scholarly research in areas of science that are relevant to the MBL’s mission of fundamental biological discovery. They are employed by MBL, following policies and procedures outlined in Policy A.1.3 and Policy A.1.4. MBL Resident Scientists may hold positions involving significant activities and obligations in either or both the Division of Research and the Division of Education. Policies related to appointments involving the Division of Education are outlined in Policy A.1.6.
  • 2.2 Whitman Center Scientists
  • MBL serves as a platform for scientists from other institutions around the world to come to the MBL to collaborate and conduct research in any area of biological discovery. Whitman Center scientists are supported by research grants or other funds through their home institution or by annual financial awards available to investigators wishing to do research at the MBL.
  • By application or arrangement with the Division of Research and as approved by the MBL Director, Whitman Center scientists may choose to conduct research at MBL at any time during the summer or the traditional academic year (see Policy A.1.3).
  • 2.3 Adjunct Scientists
  • Adjunct Scientist have primary appointments at other academic or research institutions who maintain ongoing and significant collaborative activities with MBL resident scientists. Adjunct scientists are appointed by procedures established in the Office of the Director of Research.
  • 2.4 MBL Fellows
  • MBL Fellows are scientists with active primary appointments at other academic or research institutions who maintain ongoing and significant commitments throughout the year to scholarship and collaborations at the MBL with colleagues and programs that contribute to MBL strengths, resources, and strategic vision in research and education.
  • MBL Fellows are selected or nominated by procedures established in the Office of the Director and are appointed by the MBL Director after consultation with Director’s Council (see Policy A.1.1).
  • 2.5 MBL Distinguished Scientists
  • To honor exceptional accomplishments of international significance at the MBL by a scientist in any of the above categories, the honorific title of MBL Distinguished Scientist may be conferred, following procedures outlined in Policy A.1.3.

3.0 Research Administration
All administrative aspects of the MBL research mission are coordinated and under the authority of the Division of Research.

  • 3.1 Principal Investigator Status
  • A principal investigator is the individual who takes direct responsibility for completion of a funded project, directing the research, managing expenditures, and reporting to the funding agency or sponsor. A principal investigator may hold any of the titles described in section A.1.2.2.0 or have the title Senior Scientist Emeritus, as specified in A1.3.3. Authority to act as principal investigator on a grant application or funded project at the MBL is designated by the Office of Sponsored Programs within the Division of Research, subject to approval by the Director of the Division of Research and the MBL Director.
  • 3.2 Office of Sponsored Programs
  • The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) provides assistance to the MBL research community by identifying funding opportunities, reviewing and approving all federal and non-federal proposals, negotiating awards, and managing the requirements and terms of the awards. As steward of the MBL’s externally funded research portfolio, OSP is responsible for ensuring that all federal and non-federal research proposals and projects adhere to MBL and sponsor research policies. Additionally, OSP ensures that the MBL meets its obligations to external sponsors throughout the life of an award. The Manager of Sponsored Programs is the designated authorized official for purposes of approving proposals and for negotiating and accepting awards on behalf of the MBL.
  • 3.3 Additional Policies and Procedures
  • Other aspects of research administration under the authority of the Division of Research can be found in Policies K.1.1-K.1.9.

4.0 Research Units
Research and other scholarly activities can be described by a variety of terms, whose meanings may vary among institutions or even at the same institution from time to time. Terms in common use at the MBL are described generally here.

  • 4.1 Laboratories and Research Space
  • The designation of laboratory or other space for the purposes of carrying out research at the MBL is under the authority of the Division of Research, in accordance with the Office of MBL Director. Laboratories are generally directed by one or more MBL Scientists, regardless of category (see A.1.2.2.0), who are responsible for its scientific quality, productivity and funding, as well as adherence to all MBL, federal and/or state guidelines and regulations regarding the conduct of research in that laboratory and/or under his/her authority as an approved MBL Scientist.
  • 4.2 Research Programs
  • A research program is a coherent set of scholarly activities that share common intellectual goals and interests involving multiple MBL Scientists and their personnel. They may share assigned facilities, equipment and support personnel. They ordinarily engage in collaborative research and teaching activities, with joint publications. While the term is frequently used in an informal sense, designation of such a group as a formal MBL Program requires approval by the MBL Director, following evaluation and review procedures as may be specified from time to time.
  • 4.3 Research Centers
  • Centers at the MBL are designated as such under the authority of the MBL Director and represent areas of significant strength, national visibility, and importance to the MBL’s mission in original research and/or provision of research resources. Some Centers are so designated by restrictions imposed by funding agencies, while others are named in accordance with donor wishes and/or with major institutional initiatives at the MBL.
  • In general, a Center at the MBL is a collection of scientists, laboratories and/or facilities, as well as associated programmatic activities, with critical mass and a significant long-term funding base to ensure its sustainability. It has the commitment of the institution to support the Center’s goals, including linkage to and alignment with the strategic goals of the institution in both research and education. The activities, functions, services, and administration of such Centers will be coordinated within the Division of Research.
  • In some cases, it will be advantageous for research activities of an approved Center to be led by a designated Center Director. In such cases, the Center Director will be appointed by the MBL Director for a specified period of time (generally five years), following, when relevant, the terms of any extramural research award. Notwithstanding any conditions set by the terms of extramural research awards, Center Directors will serve at the pleasure of the MBL Director. Center Directors are eligible for appointment to Director’s Council (see Policy A.1.1.2.2).
  • 4.4 Review of Research Units
  • To ensure the quality, ongoing productivity, continued strategic importance, sustainability, and national leadership of research units at the MBL, all such units will be reviewed on a regular basis, including external advisors and reviewers as necessary, at the discretion of the MBL Director in consultation with the Director of the Division of Research.
  • Designated Programs and Centers will ordinarily be reviewed every five years. The MBL Director will appoint a review committee comprised of external experts, who will evaluate the goals and accomplishments of the Center, its continued importance to the MBL, and the prospects for continued extramural funding and future achievements of the highest order. Such reviews will ordinarily include all scientists whose work is associated with the Center. The review committee will provide a written report to the MBL Director, including a recommendation regarding the continuance, modification, or termination of the Center.

5.0 Policy Clarification and Updates
Policy clarification and periodic updates are available from the Office of the MBL Director.