What makes a principle investigator a GOOD PI?

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 09:54

The majority of postdocs and PhD students I know would like to become an independent researcher one day. To achieve this goal, they dedicate a lot of their time doing experiments in order to build a strong publication record, which enables them to apply for grants/funding. This is how the system works, the way to prove yourself successful as a researcher.

At your institute, you are surrounded by successful researchers only: All principle investigators have 'made it', they managed to establish their own research group thanks to their scientific output. What are their duties now? The more senior the PI's are, the less likely it is that they spend time in the lab. What do they do? Setting out research strategies, writing grants, reviewing manuscripts, establishing collaborations, politics, administration, managing their researchers and many many other activities. It is very broad and a lot to handle. It involves many skills they have not been selected for.

Those of you who have worked at different research groups like me, must know that some PIs have more potential than others. I believe that the good PIs are the multi-talented ones, those who have not limited their development to the scientific part only. If you aspire to become a PI yourself, I think it is worth to take some time to think about your examples. Who do you consider a good PI and for what reasons? Are you actually preparing yourself to become a GOOD PI?

To quote Liesbeth Veenhoff - Vidi-grant awardee and keynote-speaker at the 2009 Postdoc Retreat:
'If you want to become a PI, you'd better start behaving like a PI'.

What do you think? What skills would one need to become a good PI besides the scientific ones?

PCDI would like to interview PIs that are greatly appreciated by their researchers, to inspire young academics. As you know the PIs best, we ask you to help us identifying PIs who could be a role model. Nominate a PI, send his/her name and a brief motivation to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it