What Is a Visiting Scientist?

A Visiting Scientist is a person possessing unique skill sets, perspectives, and practical experience that help shape the direction of work within an SEI technical program. The Visiting Scientist title adds professional stature to the person doing the work for us.

Designating the Visiting Scientist Title

A person is given the Visiting Scientist title by the program director in consultation with SEI Human Resources (HR) and with the approval of the SEI chief operating officer (COO).

Features and Parameters of Employment

The Visiting Scientist agreement is between the SEI and the Visiting Scientist. Visiting Scientists are hired either as SEI employees via memorandums of agreement (MOAs) or as independent contractors.

Visiting Scientists hired as employees are paid according to Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) managed by HR. The term of these MOAs may be from one month up to two years, and they may be renewed at the completion of the term. Visiting Scientists who are SEI employees may

• Be located in the U.S. or internationally
  Note: Visiting Scientists who work in Germany for SEI-Europe are employed under an SEI-Europe MOA.
• Work on site or remotely.
• Have temporary, full- or part-time employment status.
• Work at 100% effort or less than 100% effort.
• Receive or give 30 days notice of termination of agreement.
• Participate in SEI employee activities.
• Be assigned SEI and CMU e-mail accounts.

Visiting Scientist hired as independent contractors enter into agreements managed by SEI Contracts and Business Services and are paid by purchase orders. Learn more about independent contractors. Visiting Scientists who are paid as independent contractors

• Do not participate in SEI employee activities.
• Are not automatically assigned SEI and CMU e-mail accounts although program managers may request creation of these accounts.

Program Benefits

The benefits to a Visiting Scientist include:

• The prestige of the Visiting Scientist designation.
• The opportunity to determine if there is a mutual fit before considering an offer of long-term employment.

For more information about current opportunities, contact
Visiting Scientist Program Administrator
E-mail: amh298@sei.cmu.edu