Research Leadership & Project Governance Titles

1) Title Guidance by Background and Responsibility

NanoTRIZ assigns project leadership titles primarily based on scope of responsibility within a NanoTRIZ project, including:
 

• scientific ownership and decision authority,

• methodology approval and validation responsibility,

• deliverable acceptance criteria and final sign-off,

• leadership intensity (time commitment, team oversight, and quality control).

An individual’s external academic background (e.g., postdoc, professor, industry expert) is used only as a practical reference point to predict likely capability and autonomy. It is not an automatic entitlement to any title.

Typical guidance (non-binding):

• Senior academics (e.g., Associate/Full Professors, senior independent researchers) are commonly appointed as Project Principal Investigators when they assume final scientific responsibility for a defined project stream.

• Strong postdoctoral-level researchers and experienced practitioners are commonly appointed as Scientific Leads when they manage daily scientific execution and enforce methodological standards.

• Experienced independent experts may be appointed as Senior Scholars (Affiliate) when they primarily provide high-level critique, advisory input, and peer review without daily workflow management.

• Any individual may be appointed as Co-PI, Scientific Lead, or Project Lead depending on project scope, expected autonomy, and performance.

Note: NanoTRIZ may appoint any title based on demonstrated capability, project needs, and governance requirements. Titles are not awarded solely based on external academic rank, job title, or institutional affiliation.

2) Role Definitions (Function-Based Titles)
These titles describe the function performed within a NanoTRIZ project. They are not university ranks, and they do not imply employment, faculty status, or accredited supervision.

Principal Investigator (PI) / Project Principal Investigator

A Project Principal Investigator (PI) is appointed to assume ultimate scientific responsibility for a defined NanoTRIZ project stream. The PI:

• sets scientific direction and defines project scope and objectives,

• approves (or delegates approval of) methodology and validation plans,

• defines acceptance criteria for deliverables and scientific standards,

• provides final scientific sign-off on major outputs (e.g., reports, white papers, manuscripts, released frameworks),

• ensures that project work meets NanoTRIZ quality and integrity requirements.

The PI role is a governance designation that creates clear accountability for scientific integrity and deliverable quality within NanoTRIZ.

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

A Co-PI shares PI-level responsibility for a project stream, or leads a major sub-stream under PI governance. A Co-PI:

• may co-approve methodology and validation plans where defined in the project plan,

• may co-sign deliverables where explicitly authorized,

• can be delegated specific authority for a work package or sub-stream,

• supports continuity of leadership, peer review, and quality control.

Co-PI authority must be defined per project (scope, approval boundaries, and sign-off responsibilities).

Scientific Lead

A Scientific Lead manages day-to-day scientific execution and ensures methodological rigor in practice. A Scientific Lead:

• coordinates work plans, experiments/analyses, and technical documentation,

• enforces technical standards and reproducibility discipline,

• mentors and guides junior contributors on methods and quality expectations,

• reviews intermediate outputs and ensures they meet methodological requirements,

• typically reports to the PI/Co-PI for final scientific sign-off (unless the project plan grants direct sign-off authority).

Scientific Leads are often the operational scientific drivers of a project.

Project Lead

A Project Lead manages delivery execution, including coordination and operational control. The Project Lead:

• manages milestones, timelines, task allocation, and integration of contributions,

• ensures documentation discipline (version control, reporting, structured outputs),

• coordinates meetings, progress tracking, and delivery readiness,

• ensures deliverables are packaged and completed on schedule.

Depending on project design, the Project Lead may or may not be the primary scientific authority. Scientific sign-off may sit with the PI and/or Scientific Lead.

Senior Scholar (Affiliate)

A Senior Scholar (Affiliate) is a prestige advisory appointment for highly experienced researchers who provide:
 

• high-level critique and peer review,

• strategic guidance on research direction and feasibility,

• independent review of methodology, interpretation, and scientific claims,

• advisory support on standards and scientific positioning.

Senior Scholars generally do not manage daily workflows unless separately appointed to a PI/Co-PI/Lead role within a specific project.

3) Nature of Appointment (Regulatory Notice)

To ensure clarity regarding NanoTRIZ’s status as an independent innovation institute and to prevent misunderstanding:

Project-Governance Designations

Titles such as PI, Co-PI, Scientific Lead, Project Lead, and Senior Scholar are internal designations linked to NanoTRIZ project governance and quality control. They do not constitute academic tenure or a university “faculty” appointment, and they do not represent a university rank.

Independent Contractor / Consultant Engagement (where paid)

Where payment is provided, research leadership services are delivered under a separate written Independent Contractor / Consultancy Agreement (or equivalent services agreement). These are not employment positions and do not include employee entitlements (e.g., leave, superannuation). The existence of a project title does not create employment, partnership, or ownership rights.

NanoTRIZ may also appoint honorary or unpaid advisors where appropriate; payment status is handled separately from title designation and is governed by the applicable written agreement (if any).

Non-Accredited Supervision
NanoTRIZ is not a TEQSA-registered higher education provider. These roles involve professional research leadership and project governance. They do not represent accredited higher-degree supervision (e.g., PhD supervision) on behalf of NanoTRIZ, nor do they imply enrolment, academic credit, or university status.

4) Recommended Public Listing (CV / LinkedIn)

Individuals should list NanoTRIZ roles in a way that clearly distinguishes NanoTRIZ project governance titles from any primary employer or university appointment.

Recommended formats (examples):
 

• External Principal Investigator (Project-based, Consultant), NanoTRIZ Innovation Institute (Australia)

• Project Principal Investigator (Independent Consultant), NanoTRIZ Innovation Institute (Australia)

• Scientific Lead (Project-based, Contractor), NanoTRIZ Innovation Institute (Australia)

• Project Lead (Project-based, Contractor), NanoTRIZ Innovation Institute (Australia)

• Senior Scholar (Affiliate), NanoTRIZ Innovation Institute (Australia)

If the individual has a primary employer or university affiliation, it should remain primary, with NanoTRIZ listed as a secondary/affiliate appointment where appropriate.