Is it possible for a contract researcher to be a principal investigator?

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1. Simon Smith20 November 2009 at 12:23 AM

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   Yes, on my understanding it is, though this may depend on your own institution's policy. I'm a contract researcher, and I have the support of my faculty in putting in an application for a, ESRC grant as the PI.

2. Nick Dickens20 November 2009 at 10:14 AM

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   In my experience it isn't, but like Simon said it probably depends on your Institution - it may also depend on the type of grant involved, for example it doesn't make sense for a contract researcher to be PI on a programme grant. I would imagine that it is less common for a fixed-term researcher to be PI in science, but don't have any experience outside of this.

3. Simon Smith20 November 2009 at 04:45 PM

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   You prompted me to look up some of the Research Councils' eligibility policies. They do vary a bit, so you should check the appropriate one for you, but most seem to follow two basic principles: - you can apply even if you've not got a permanent contract (though in some cases you have to be employed at a certain level, e.g. lecturer level or equivalent) as long as you can demonstrate that the Institution will appoint and support you through the duration of the proposed research (usually to be demonstrated by a letter from the Head of Institute) - however, you won't be eligible if obtaining the grant would lead to an 'over-commitment' of your time. So if you are employed full-time on a specific project, that would be a problem, except of course if you chose your start-date as the day after the project finishes and could demonstrate institutional support for continuing your contract In short, there is usually a case that can be made, so the key is to get your Director of Research on-side!