Research scientists

Research Scientists are an integral part of the School’s research community and its mission. The research scientist track was initiated in 1998 with the dual goals of recruiting highly qualified doctoral-level researchers for long-term or large-scale projects, and of providing these accomplished scientists with the opportunity to progress along a meaningful path of career advancement and recognition.

While research scientists are not faculty appointments at Harvard Chan School, individuals in these roles are comparable to those with “Research Professor” titles elsewhere. Harvard Chan research scientists function independently, applying for their own funding and supporting their own team of researchers with that funding. Per the School’s principal investigator (PI) policy, research scientists of all ranks are eligible to serve as PIs of grants.

In addition to conducting research themselves, research scientists ordinarily provide a degree of project leadership that is appropriate to their rank —  often engaging in other non-research activities ordinarily undertaken by faculty, such as teaching, serving on dissertation committees, or serving on national and international advisory panels.

Prerequisites for appointment on the research scientist track include a doctoral degree and relevant postdoctoral experience. These non-faculty academic appointments are ordinarily full-time. The following titles are used for research scientist appointments:

• Research Scientist
• Senior Research Scientist
• Principal Research Scientist

All appointments can be renewed indefinitely as long as the need for the position continues, the funding for the position is available, and the expectations for performance are met.

Refer to the grid “Non-faculty Research Titles” (PDF) for detailed descriptions of the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications of each research scientist rank. The grid also includes guidelines on when to promote within the track.