Investigators often lead research projects with teams that include co-investigators, trainees, and staff, and, in that capacity, they may serve as principle investigators (PI) and/or mentors. Each of these roles has distinct responsibilities that require knowledge and skills in multiple areas.
As the leaders of research projects PIs have overall responsibility for all aspects of the research, and this requires managing the projects and training and supervising staff.
Managing research projects – PIs are responsible for managing research projects, and the management process encompasses a variety of tasks that include: overseeing the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of the research; managing the budget and expenditures; ensuring compliance with internal/external policies and regulations; maintaining scientific integrity of all aspects of the research; and complying with the terms/conditions of the contract/award.
Training research staff – The PI also must ensure the research staff has the skills and knowledge required to conduct research in a safe and responsible manner and in compliance with applicable policies/regulations. Therefore, PIs must provide research staff appropriate training for techniques/procedures required in the research, and they also must ensure the staff completes relevant/required training in environmental health and safety, the protection of human research subjects, and the care and use of research animals.
Supervising research staff – Effective supervision of research staff helps promote research productivity and integrity and a good working environment, and it may be achieved through strategies such as routinely reviewing data/laboratory notebooks, communicating with staff regularly about research goals/progress in meetings, and having an appropriate number of experienced/senior staff members to supervise less experienced personnel.
In their role as mentors, investigators guide the development of research knowledge and skills for a variety of trainees who may be seeking different levels of knowledge and expertise. Trainees traditionally include undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and clinical fellows, but they also may be junior or senior faculty members with an interest in developing new skills and knowledge.
Mentor responsibilities – Effective mentoring requires: meeting with mentees regularly; supervising work closely; reviewing research data regularly; ensuring mentees are familiar with relevant academic and non-academic policies; counseling mentees about professional goals and opportunities; and maintaining good communication.
Number of individuals mentored – Mentors typically have multiple professional responsibilities that may conflict/compete with the time they have available to supervise trainees. Therefore, mentors should continually assess and balance these responsibilities, and limit the number of trainees in their research projects/laboratories to a size that allows appropriate oversight and guidance.
Foreign students and fellows – UTHSCH encourages an international approach in its research and recruitment of trainees. Therefore some of the institution’s non-U.S. trainees may have different cultural values and customs that influence their research conduct and training expectations. UTHSCH’s Offices for International Affairs and Student Counseling may be useful resources for addressing/understanding concerns/conflicts that may arise in the mentoring process because of cultural differences.
Assistance with establishing independence – Mentors should guide mentees through the multiple steps required to establish themselves as independent investigators. This support may include: discussing career options; assisting in networking; and writing candid letters of recommendation that delineate their research relationship. Mentors should also have frank discussions with mentees about their plans for any continued collaboration and future research directions to avoid potential future conflicts.
Mentee responsibilities – Mentees should be proactive in seeking their mentors’ guidance about day-to-day research activities, short-term research goals for their training program, and long-term career goals. Mentees should however recognize mentors’ multiple responsibilities, and schedule time accordingly in seeking needed advice and guidance.
