Office of Faculty Affairs

Promotions in Research Scientist Track

(revised 8/28/2024)

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

A promotion package checklist (PDF) should be used when assembling a promotion proposal which includes the items listed below. (The checklist document also has items related to the proposed appointment that do not require attachments but are related to additional considerations to note).

  • Job description (should provide detailed description of activities the research scientist will be engaged in during the proposed appointment)
  • Letter from department chair or center director endorsing the appointment and should indicate relevance/value to the department’s strategic goals
  • Three letters of recommendation (letters may be solicited from peers and mentors but not from trainees
  • Curriculum vitae: a current copy of the candidate’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; Candidate’s role in grant should be clearly stated. If PI (or Co-PI), please include the grant’s direct cost dollar amount and length of the grant. (Please note that review packets without properly formatted CVs will result in delays)
    • BE SURE TO UPDATE YOUR CV TO HARVARD CHAN SCHOOL FORMAT! Click here to view.
  • An activities statement that outlines the research scientist’s’ duties, responsibilities, and plans for future research; please note if current activities will continue or change in the next appointment period
  • Supporting financial information including: proposed salary/increase, costing strings

N.B. Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist appointments are for three years.  Principal Research Scientist appointments are five years in length.

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.