What is expected of a principal investigator?

Whilst there is not a universal job description for a principal investigator (PI), there are clear expectations. All PIs would probably identify securing research income and delivering research outputs. Many PIs would also recognise expectations relating to intellectual leadership of a research group.  There are also increasingly expectations that PIs manage their research staff. These last are often expressed in general terms, but some institutions and research funders provide more detailed guidance. 

To clarify your own understanding of what is expected of you as a PI within your institution and/or by the funder of your research:

• canvass opinion from your academic and administrative colleagues
• seek out guidance and/or training provided by your university's HR department and/or staff development.

In general terms as ‘managers' of research staff, PIs:

• manage and appraise their researchers' performance
• help identify and support their professional and career development needs
• provide mentoring and coaching
• ensure that the researchers work effectively as a team.

Within this section, you may also be interested in skills and characteristics of a PI and different stakeholders.