YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

In your research, both independent and supporting a principal investigator, you have the responsibility and obligation to help the PI ensure that:

• You understand and apply the highest ethical standards that apply to your discipline
• All research complies with federal, state, and local laws
• You understand and follow University and School policies related to scientific misconduct, conflict of interest, and conflict of commitment
• You are trained properly in laboratory techniques, environmental safety, protection of animal and human research subjects,  responsible conduct of research, and other topics as appropriate
• Practices and processes for applying for grants, developing budgets, submitting proposals, tracking financial transactions, and reporting expenditures as required by the University and the research sponsor are handled timely, accurately, and in compliance with all established terms and conditions
• If you are unsure about policies or processes related to your research, you will contact the appropriate office within your School, the Office for Sponsored Programs, or the Office of the Vice Provost for Research

OPPORTUNITIES AT HARVARD

Research associate and postdoctoral fellow positions are offered by Harvard faculty.  Some Schools post these opportunities in journals and at discipline-specific professional meetings.  Many faculty work with their colleagues and peers from other institutions to identify young scholars who may be interested in working on a specific research project to gain advanced experience after the terminal degree.  If you decide to contact faculty directly about a possible research opportunity via e-mail, please make sure to include a curriculum vitae along with a description of your research interest and details about your expertise in pertinent disciplinary specialties that the faculty may find valuable to know.  Be patient in expecting a response—due to their many responsibilities, faculty may be able to reply only to inquiries most specifically relevant to the opportunity.

SEARCHING FOR INDEPENDENT FUNDING

There are no institution-specific funding sources for postdoctoral scholars and other research staff at Harvard.  However, if you are interested in submitting eligible proposals to the various federal and private agencies that support research, the Community of Science database, to which Harvard subscribes, offers a comprehensive, robust selection of awards that may be selected and sorted on a wide range of parameters.  Other funding agency information that you may find of value is available on the Office for Postdoctoral Affairs website.  Note that in most Schools, postdoctoral fellows and other research staff may not serve as Principal Investigator on awards administered through Harvard (with the exception of some fellowships and awards for dissertation support).  Your Research Administration or Sponsored Programs office can advise you on school policies regarding applying for outside funding.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Appointments for research associates and postdoctoral fellows are made on an annual basis.  Postdoctoral appointments are also subject to term limits (typically three to five years, depending on the School and discipline).  Please make sure you are aware of the conditions of your appointment, whether or not your appointment may be renewed, and the processes necessary to have your appointment continued after the year-end date.