The Higher Education Panel of the American Council on Education conducted a survey to determine the size and characteristics of nontenure-track personnel at doctoral-level institutions and the extent to which these personnel are principal investigators in research projects. The survey involved 247 selected Panel institutions that award the Ph.D. or M.D. degree in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, genetics, medicine, microbiology, and pharmacology. During 1976-77, approximately 5,300 nontenure-track faculty and staff were employed full-time and 45 percent were eligible to apply for federal research support as principal investigators. Medical school departments employed 61 percent of nontenure-track employees, and graduate science departments employed 39 percent. Public institutions employed almost two-thirds of those surveyed. Findings on departmental policies and practices pertaining to research involvement on nontenure-track staff are reported. Statistical data, the survey instrument, and research methodology are included. (SW)