Guidance for principal investigators
Information for PI’s, research group leaders, heads of department and departmental administrators about research staff career development
This guidance relates to the employment of researchers, especially those in posts which are funded by external research sponsoring bodies, such as the Research Councils, Royal Society, British Academy, charities, trusts, government departments, industry, and other bodies.
It is based upon elements of the University’s formal Code of Practice on the employment and career development of research staff, but provides more detailed guidance on key aspects of researchers’ career paths.
This guidance has been approved by the University’s Personnel Committee, with the expectation that all departments will introduce arrangements based on this guidance appropriate to the local context. Local factors which might influence variations in practice include the typical length of contract and seniority of research staff and PIs; the extent to which research staff work in groups and teams; and the security of external funding.
The guidance, below, consists of:
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A diagrammatic overview of the respective responsibilities of departmental administrators and heads of department on the one hand, and PIs, supervisors and research group leaders on the other
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Some reflective questions for principle investigators and others to use to guide their supervision of researchers careers.
Guidance for PIs: reflective questions
This guidance is intended for principal investigators, research group leaders, heads of department and departmental administrators. It should be read in conjunction with the table of responsibilities, below.
Area of responsibility |
Departmental administrators and |
Supervisors and research group leaders |
Recruitment and selection of researchers |
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Newly-appointed researchers |
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Pay |
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Conditions of service |
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Career planning and development |
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Supervisors should ask themselves:
- What departmental induction processes are in place for me to draw on?
- Have I clarified the job description and my expectations of the researcher’s ‘output’? Have I provided a copy of the research proposal, including the deliverables against which our progress will be assessed?
- Have I explained that the contract is a fixed-term one and clarified the implications of this with the researcher?
- What degree of freedom does the researcher have in pursuing the research objectives? Has this been discussed?
- Is the researcher aware of the relevant standards and policies on research integrity, and have they agreed to observe these?
- How clear is the researcher about laboratory procedure and practice (where appropriate)?
- Have I explained the protocols for publication (authorships, favoured publication methods)?
- Does the researcher know what resources are available – and, if not, do they know how to find out – in terms of library, computing, laboratory facilities and materials, and technical assistance?
- Is the researcher from overseas? Do they need information or support regarding accommodation, bank accounts, signing on with a doctor, getting a national insurance number, etc.? Do they need support with English language development, and if so have I given them information about the University’s Language Centre?
- What other information does the researcher need (eg about university induction events, or the University’s Code of Practice for the Employment and Career Development of Research Staff )? Have they received this information?
- What teaching opportunities and/or obligations are there for the researcher and have I communicated these?
- What opportunities have I offered for the researcher to explain their own needs and aspirations, and to bring out any skills they may have that could contribute to the project or more widely to the group or department?
In considering how to support researchers’ career development, supervisors should ask themselves:
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How is the researcher’s work progressing? What are they doing well? What could they improve? How am I communicating my views on these? Am I making my expectations clear?
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How is the researcher attending to their own professional development? What opportunities and encouragement am I offering for them to do so (eg conferences, publications, grant applications, college attachments, teaching, committee membership, training events)?
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How does the researcher see their future beyond the end of this contract? What action are they taking? Is the researcher aware of the support available from the University Careers Service, the People and organisational development and divisional research training teams; are they aware of the ‘Jobs’ page of the University’s website?
Supervisors should ask themselves:
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What are my expectations regarding output at this stage?
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What are the prospects for the researcher’s continuing employment on this (or a different) project? What discussions have I had with the researcher about this?
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Have I made the researcher aware of university procedures relating to the expiry of fixed term contracts?
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Have I reminded the researcher of the Careers Advice available from the Careers Service (if appropriate) as their current contract enters the final phase, and indicated options for additional support available through the divisions?