Can a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Research Fellow serve as a Principal Investigator?

Answer

Yes. Unlike the other categories, a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Research Fellow can serve as a PI with only the approval of the Unit Executive Officer, provided the Postdoctoral Research Associate’s or Research Fellow’s supervisor also approves the pursuit and administration of external funding, such funding is consistent with the source of funding supporting the Postdoctoral Research Associate’s or Research Fellow’s salary (in compliance with campus salary minimums), and the academic unit is willing to accept responsibility for the Postdoctoral Research Associate’s or Research Fellow’s performance as PI in the sponsored project.