next »

[crumpet]

I'm working on a research contract with a former supervisor. It is for the primary area of my research these days and therefore very important to me.

My previous supervisor submitted a contract draft that was highly biased towards himself and his home institution. Some of his demands are counter to what funding agencies require of PI's (e.g. a certain level of control over my research and publication). My University (and I) balked at it. We re-balanced it and sent it back to him. He has rejected most of our suggestions.

I feel like we're at a stalemate now and I'm unsure how to progress. I'd like to keep negotiations moving but if he's unbudging, what can I do to help progress the conversation?

I have a secondary project with ample funding, but I'm reluctant to completely leave this other area of research behind.

[southerntransplant]

You might ask your university's research office to check with the sponsor of the grant funding the contract. If it's a Federal grant, there are likely guidelines concerning openness and transparency regarding collaborators or co-PIs that you might be able to use to open things up a bit. If the former supervisor has to operate under these conditions with the Feds, then most contracts funded by Federal monies have to follow the same conditions.

[crumpet]

You might ask your university's research office to check with the sponsor of the grant funding the contract. If it's a Federal grant, there are likely guidelines concerning openness and transparency regarding collaborators or co-PIs that you might be able to use to open things up a bit. If the former supervisor has to operate under these conditions with the Feds, then most contracts funded by Federal monies have to follow the same conditions.

Great suggestion. We work in different countries but I think this could still help me articulate a more balanced perspective. Thanks!

Other thoughts also welcome...he's a bit of a tough negotiator!