Grant-writing skills and careful administration of resources arising from grants are critical to the future success of postdoctoral trainees. With approval by the divisional dean, department chair and faculty mentor, postdoctoral scholars can serve as the co-principal investigators for grants and contracts and, in some instances, as principal investigators. Accompanying the approval of the preceding levels of authority, however, is the responsibility for the chair and dean to ensure that the postdoctoral scholar is cognizant of all obligations and responsibilities associated with PI status. Normally, postdocs who qualify for PI and co-PI status are well advanced in their training with experience in directing research, managing budgets and supervising employees, and who also understand the rules, regulations and policies of the university and the sponsoring agency.
We encourage all University of Missouri (MU) postdocs to be intentional in planning for professional development to help meet their career goals. The following resources are available for MU postdoctoral professional development.