Although the Scientific Staff at WHOI takes the lead in formulating hypotheses and originating and obtaining funding for research projects, implementation of the projects is a team effort between the scientists and the Technical Staff and Departmental Assistants. Members of both groups are expected to be highly skilled and innovative. At more senior levels they operate with considerable independence, and are responsible for both the development and the implementation of the techniques that make the research possible at sea and in the laboratory. Oceanography requires a wide range of skills. As noted above, members of both staffs on all three paths are expected to have superior competence and to be committed to continuing growth of their skills.
Promotion is a function of qualification, performance, and position responsibilities.
There are many similarities among the three career paths and associated appointment and promotion procedures. These are described below. The particular qualifications for each path are outlined in the following sections. WHOI Home Page AP Handbook - Technical Staff and Dept.