Naming conventions for scientific positions at the MPI-IS:
| MPI-IS title | US university approximation | Corporate research lab approximation | Informal – how to think about it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post doctoral researcher | Post doctoral researcher | Post doctoral researcher | You have a PhD but are not ready to take a faculty position |
| Research scientist | Assistant professor |
Member of research staff I, Member of technical staff I, Researcher |
You could get a good entry-level faculty position |
| Senior research scientist | Assistant professor after 3 year review or untenured associate professor | Member of research staff II, Member of technical staff II, Senior researcher | You are on the trajectory for tenure in a good faculty position |
|
Principal research scientist (requires external review) |
Associate professor | Principal scientist, Principal researcher, or Area manager | You could go get a tenured job at a good university |
|
Max Planck Independent Group Leader (requires external review) |
Associate professor | Principal scientist or Area manager | You could go get a tenured job at a good university |
| Director | Full professor | Director | An academic with a significant and sustained record of accomplishment |
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