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What is a Principal Investigator?

principal investigator planning research project

If you’re an experienced researcher, you might be thinking about taking your career to the next level as a Principal Investigator (PI). The role of the Principal Investigator is crucial to the success of research projects of all sizes and involves significant responsibility.

This profile takes a comprehensive look at what a Principal Investigator does, the skills and experience you’ll need and where to find these types of senior research roles here at jobs.ac.uk.

So what is a Principal Investigator?

Put simply, a PI (also referred to as a ‘project lead’ or ‘senior fellow’) has overall responsibility for the management of a research project.

Principal investigators come from a wide range of backgrounds and most also work as research fellows, lecturers, readers, professors and senior scientists. They are employed in any organisation, both public and private, which carries out funded research. Along with leading a team of researchers, PIs often work in partnership with a Co-Investigator (C-I) who is also responsible for reaching the objectives of the research programme.

They act as the lead applicant and point of contact to the relevant funding body, following approval and agreement to co-fund the activity from their institution or organisation. Funding is allocated from various sources and initiatives and external project partners in the commercial sector or other public bodies, such as an NHS Trust, can also agree to co-fund the project.

The PI is responsible for managing these funding streams and collaborations for the duration of the programme. If you would like to find out more about the structure of research funding and teams, visit UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Responsibilities and Duties

Principal Investigators are responsible for the planning, design and management of a research project from its inception to the delivery of results and dissemination.

They are accountable to the senior leadership team of their organisation, project partners and funding bodies and take ultimate responsibility for the project’s success. As well as focusing on the research itself, the PI must consider all aspects of the project – from administration to human resources.

A PI’s duties depend on the project theme and the size of the budget and team. However, in general, the PI performs the following duties:

  • Plans and develops the research proposal and objectives of the project.
  • Applies for and secures funding.
  • Establishes a research group and team.
  • Oversees all research activities associated with the project.
  • Ensures research activities comply with internal and external regulations and policy.
  • Manages and monitors the project’s overall budget, ensuring it delivers value and stays within strict parameters.
  • Engages with relevant national and international funding agencies, research organisations and external partners in industry and other sectors.
  • Manages and develops a team of graduates, postdoctoral researchers, technicians and administrators.
  • Compiles, publishes, presents and promotes research outcomes.
  • Complies with reporting requirements and responds to multi-source enquiries about the research.

How to become a Principal Investigator

The PI role demands significant research knowledge and experience along with project management and leadership skills. Indeed, many PIs also hold a professorship or other senior role within an organisation and are already recognised as being influential in their fields.

Having a PhD, wide-ranging postdoctoral research experience, and an established and internationally recognised portfolio of high-quality, original research publications would be essential criteria for the role. For medical/healthcare research and clinical trials, you will need to have primary medical qualifications and many years of experience as a clinician and/or scientist.

Being a PI requires a diverse skill set, and employers place the same emphasis on a candidate’s ability to lead and inspire their team as their qualifications and previous research successes.

Essential skills:

  • A strong and dedicated research vision that fosters innovation.
  • Leadership, management and influencing skills.
  • High-level communication and organisational skills.
  • The ability to attract and manage funding.
  • Networking and collaboration with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders.
  • The ability to handle a pressurised work environment, especially in the face of project setbacks.
  • The ability to nurture the careers of junior team members.
  • Public and media relations skills.

Salaries and working conditions

Principal Investigator salaries are often dependent on the research field and the scale and budget of the project. However, PIs, senior research fellows and project leads working in academia can expect a salary of between £50,000 and £75,000 in the UK.

Salaries for senior research and project management roles tend to be slightly higher in private-sector industries, particularly in healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Due to the demands of the role, most PI jobs are offered on a full-time basis. However, many PIs manage their projects alongside their other duties, such as lecturing and supervision at a university or working as a senior clinician.

Being a PI is highly rewarding, especially if the project has a successful and transformative outcome. However, the role can also be pressurised, and most PIs put in long hours and juggle many different responsibilities in their day-to-day lives to complete a project.

Where to find jobs

Principal Investigators often find that they naturally move into the role through previous research activities and collaborations. Innovative ideas and proposals for future research will often lead already senior researchers into lead roles in their institutions or elsewhere.

However, senior/lead research roles are also advertised, with employers looking for candidates with the right combination of vision and experience to lead nascent and existing research programmes.

At jobs.ac.uk we advertise a huge range of senior research jobs in every discipline. Browse our current roles or be first in line for new roles by signing up for a jobs-by-email alert.

Explore Principal Investigator Jobs

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Kate Pynn

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