Use of Visiting Scientist/Researcher Agreement
Compliance Guidance
This guidance is intended for ºÚÁϵ¼º½ administrators, faculty sponsors, and research staff who are responsible for hosting visiting scientists or researchers. It ensures proper use of the Visiting Scientist/Researcher Agreement and alignment with ºÚÁϵ¼º½â€™s compliance obligations.
Definitions
NOTE: Add language on why these definitions are important
Visiting Scientist/Researcher
Someone with a terminal or first professional degree or the equivalent, or someone recognized as an expert in their field. They may be currently employed at or on sabbatical from another academic institution.
Purpose: To pursue one’s own research to gain laboratory and research experience, learn to use state-of-the-art techniques, and share unique expertise with the ºÚÁϵ¼º½ community.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Someone who has earned a Ph.D., M.D., D.O., or an equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or approved international institution of higher education. They are primarily associated with ºÚÁϵ¼º½ to obtain advanced research skills under the supervision of one or more members of the university faculty.
Purpose: To provide teaching, research, or training experience to prepare the fellow for permanent employment in academic or research positions. Postdoctoral Fellows receive a salary and fringe benefits from ºÚÁϵ¼º½.
When to Use the Agreement
The Visiting Scientist/Researcher Agreement must be used when:
- An external researcher, scientist, or scholar (not employed by ºÚÁϵ¼º½) will have temporary access to ºÚÁϵ¼º½ research facilities.
- A visitor will participate in collaborative academic or research activities with ºÚÁϵ¼º½ faculty, staff, or students.
- Access to ºÚÁϵ¼º½ data, laboratories, equipment, or confidential information is required.
Engaging Visiting Scientists/Researchers
The Visiting Scientist/Researcher Agreement ensures that visiting scholars and researchers are properly documented, supervised, and compliant with federal and ºÚÁϵ¼º½ requirements. PIs and departments must initiate, review, and retain agreements to safeguard ºÚÁϵ¼º½â€™s research environment and obligations.
- OSPAR: Reviews and approves agreements.
- Faculty Sponsor/Department: Ensures visitors’ activities are appropriate, supervises compliance, and coordinates logistics.
- Office of General Counsel (OGC): Provides legal review.
- Human Resources/International Office: Verifies immigration/visa requirements when applicable.
- Faculty Sponsor Initiates Request: Completes internal request form and provides visitor’s CV, purpose of visit, and duration.
- Draft Agreement:ÌýUse ºÚÁϵ¼º½â€™s boilerplate Visiting Scientist/Researcher Agreement, inserting the visitor’s name, dates, sponsor, and department.
- Review and Approval: Forward to OSPAR (and OGC if required). Confirm compliance with export control, human/animal subjects research, and lab safety requirements.
- Execution: The agreement must be signed by the visitor, faculty sponsor, and authorized ºÚÁϵ¼º½ official.
- Recordkeeping: The final executed agreement is retained by OSPAR and the hosting department for compliance auditing.
- Intellectual Property (IP): Jointly developed IP will follow ºÚÁϵ¼º½â€™s IP policy.
- Confidentiality: Visitors must safeguard ºÚÁϵ¼º½ data and proprietary materials.
- Export Controls: OSPAR must confirm whether research activities involve export-controlled technology.
- Insurance: Visitors must provide proof of health insurance and (if required) liability coverage.
Key Contacts
- OSPAR: grants@nyit.edu
- Office of General Counsel:Ìýogc@nyit.edu
- HR/International Office:Ìýhr@nyit.edu