FAQs

Note: ICs develop their own policies and guidelines (in accordance with NIH-wide policy), including determining Staff Scientist responsibilities, quadrennial review processes, and funding. The information below may not apply to your IC if different practices have been adopted. Please reach out to your SSO IC Representative or Scientific Director if you have any questions. 

How can I get involved in SSO?

The best way to get involved with the SSO is to join the SSO Council of Representatives. These individuals represent their IC within the SSO and serve on all SSO Committees. If your IC does not have at least two SSO Council representatives, contact the SSO about being appointed as a representative outside of the annual election process.

SSO members outside of the Council of Representatives are allowed to attend and participate on ad hoc committees at the invitation of the Committee Chair. If you are interested in participating in one of the ad hoc committees, please reach out to the Committee Chair and get approval before getting involved.

What is the difference between Staff Scientist I, Staff Scientist II, Associate Scientist, and Senior Associate Scientist?

Staff Scientist I and Staff Scientist II are hiring/appointment mechanisms and have different requirements, pay scales, etc., with the Staff Scientist II being a more senior position. Associate Scientist and Senior Associate Scientist are honorific titles conferred to Staff Scientists to recognize individuals functioning at a more senior level. These titles have no direct tie to salary, although they could be used to support a salary increase during the Quadrennial Review process.

Information on Staff Scientist I and Staff Scientist II appointment mechanisms can be found here: https://oir.nih.gov/sourcebook/personnel/ipds-appointment-mechanisms/staff-scientist.

Information on the honorary titles of Associate Scientist and Senior Associate Scientist can be found here: https://oir.nih.gov/sourcebook/personnel/policies-recruitment-processes/fair-review-principles-nominations-staff-scientists-associate-scientist.

What are the rights and responsibilities of Staff Scientists? 

Staff Scientists have similar roles to non-tenure track Research Assistant Professors in an academic research institution. As senior staff, Staff Scientists conduct research, train and supervise lab members, and are responsible for lab management and other lab-related activities. Some Staff Scientists are able to conduct their own research (with approval from their supervisor/PI). Other Staff Scientists are hired in Core facilities as experts with specific skills or knowledge that support ongoing research at NIH.

A list of the functions and proficiencies of NIH Staff Scientists can be found here: https://oir.nih.gov/system/files/media/file/2021-08/staff_scientists-range_services_provided.pdf.

What is a Quadrennial Review? 

Staff Scientists are reviewed every four years, known as the Quadrennial (“Quad”) Review. As stated in the NIH Sourcebook “The functions of the review are to look at the continuation/placement of the Staff Scientist, possible salary adjustment and to enable the [Scientific Director] to report to the BSC [Board of Scientific Counselors] on allocation of these personnel resources.” Each IC has a different procedure but, at a minimum, the Quad Review package will include a current CV, letters of recommendation and the supervisor’s letter of support. 

The Quad Review is the most important time for salary adjustments for Staff Scientists. In general, a Staff Scientist 1 (Tier 1) is promoted to a Staff Scientist 1 (Tier 2) when they reach the top of the pay scale for a Tier 1; however, the promotion can be requested at a Quad Review. A presentation to their promotions committee by the Staff Scientist is required for a promotion from Tier 1 to Tier 2 or to a Staff Scientist 2.

Can Staff Scientists obtain independent research funding?

Staff Scientists do not receive independent funding, but there are supplemental funding opportunities at NIH that are open to Staff Scientists. Please see the Resource page for a list of internal funding opportunities. Staff Scientists may also be eligible for external funding from organizations like PCORI and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Make sure to get the approval of your supervisor/PI before pursuing any funding opportunities.

What should I do if I am going to be displaced?

The Displaced Staff Scientist Committee is currently working with NIH leadership to develop NIH-wide policies on how to facilitate the transition of displaced Staff Scientists into new roles within the NIH. Additional information can be found in the document Guidelines for Displaced Staff Scientists.

Can Staff Scientists become Principal Investigators at NIH?

Staff Scientist is a non-tenure track position and cannot be ‘promoted’ to PI status. However, Staff Scientists are eligible to apply to become Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigators through the annual application process. Details can be found here: https://irp.nih.gov/careers/trans-nih-scientific-recruitments/stadtman-tenure-track-investigators.

ICs also fill specific needs by posting tenure-track investigator positions: https://irp.nih.gov/careers/faculty-level-scientific-careers.