First Appointment as Research Scientist

(revised 11/8/2022)

Faculty wishing to recommend the appointment of a research scientist should consult with their department administrator for information on the procedures to be followed.

An appointment package checklist (PDF) should be used when assembling an appointment proposal which includes the items listed below:

  • job description (should provide detailed description of activities the research scientist will be engaged in)
  • letter from department chair or center director endorsing the appointment
  • three letters of recommendation (letters may be solicited from peers and mentors but not from trainees)
  • a current copy of the research scientist’s CV
    • peer-reviewed publications should be listed separately from other publications; publications not yet accepted should not be listed
    • the CV should contain a grant funding section; information should include the direct cost dollar amount and length of the grant in addition to the researcher’s role on the grant
    • click here for the School’s preferred CV format
  • an activities statement that outlines current duties and responsibilities (if candidate currently holds an Harvard Chan School appointment)
  • supporting financial information including: proposed salary/increase, costing strings, and fringe.

Once the above items are assembled into a single PDF document by the department administrator, it should be submitted to Philip Kret (90 Smith Street, 1st Floor) approximately two to three weeks before a meeting of the Research Scientist Review Committee. A schedule of the Research Scientist Review Committee meetings is available online.

Once an appointment has been approved by the Research Scientist Review Committee, the person being appointed will be asked to sign a letter of agreement. In addition, the department administrator will need to submit the appropriate payroll forms (I-9 Form, Glacier) and Wasabi personnel action(s).