Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences) ›› 2023, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (1): 60-74.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2023.01.006

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Individual Competition and Paradox of Academic Cooperation : An Investigation to the Employment of Scientific Research Assistants of the “Principal Investigator System”

Xiaoying Lin1, Xinying Lin2   

  1. 1. Institute of Economics of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
    2. Office of Human Resources, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
  • Online:2023-01-01 Published:2022-12-29

Abstract:

This research takes the application and review mechanism of labor contract research assistant position in a “985” university as the starting point, adopts the method of qualitative research, and selects four types of stakeholders: the university, schools, professors and research assistants to conduct interviews to explore their positions, motivations and demands of the three parties in the employment of scientific research assistants. It also analyzes the reform of the scientific research process under the “Principal Investigator System” in the university. The study found that the employment of scientific research assistants reflected the new pattern of scientific research process established by universities with “PI team” as a typical institutional feature. The whole-process audit system for the scientific research process intensifies the competition among professors. Through the labor contract system hiring scientific research assistants not only changes the composition of the scientific research team, but also hinders the academic cooperation required in the knowledge production process. Multi-stakeholders need to make expedient adjustments and changes in scientific research management methods under the new situation.

Key words: research assistant, Principal Investigator System, individual competition, academic cooperation