Policies & Compliance
- Research Conduct
- Combatting Human Trafficking
- Federal Disclosure Requirements
- Research Handbook
- 1. Roles & Responsibilities
- 2. Standards for Conduct of Research
- 3. Overview of Sponsored Projects Administration
- 4. Funding Sources & Opportunities
- 5. Proposal Development
- 6. Budget Development
- 7. Procedures for the Submission of Proposals
- 8. Award Acceptance
- 9. Award Management
- 10. Research Related Regulations, Policies & Procedures
- 11. Other Conduct of Research Issues
- 12. Acronyms & Definitions
- 13. Glossary
- Procedure Library
- Regulations Library
Roles & Responsibilities
1.6 Project Staff
Project staff work under the direction and supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI) and contribute to the execution of the approved scope of work for a sponsored project.
Project staff may include, but are not limited to, faculty collaborators, post-doctoral research associates, graduate and undergraduate students, research personnel, technical staff, and administrative or professional staff who support project activities.
Project staff are expected to:
- Carry out assigned project tasks in alignment with the approved work plan, with performance subject to review by the PI.
- Follow all applicable regulatory, compliance, and safety requirements, including those related to human subjects, animal care, biosafety, radiation safety, and any other relevant federal, state, sponsor, or institutional regulations.
- Comply with University of Utah policies and sponsor terms and conditions, including requirements related to responsible conduct of research, data security, and research integrity.
- Adhere to financial and administrative procedures associated with the project, such as appropriate expenditure practices, documentation requirements, and effort reporting when applicable - recognizing that the PI retains final fiscal responsibility but relies on staff to follow proper processes.
- Complete mandatory training required for their role, such as laboratory safety, RCR training, biosafety training, human-subjects or animal-subjects training, or any sponsor-required certifications.
- Communicate proactively with the PI or project leadership when issues arise that may impact timelines, deliverables, safety, or compliance.
- Maintain records, data, and materials in accordance with University and sponsor policies, supporting the PI's responsibility for stewardship of research data and project documentation.
- Uphold standards of research integrity and ethical conduct, including accurate data collection, proper authorship practices, and adherence to University misconduct policies.
Through these responsibilities, project staff play an essential role in ensuring that the project is conducted responsibly, ethically, and in accordance with institutional and sponsor expectations, while supporting the PI in meeting project deliverables and compliance obligations.
