The current situation of doctoral research staff in academe is described and the probable trends affecting them are examined. This group is comprised of university-employed Ph.D. scientists and engineers who are considered neither postdoctoral appointees (temporary trainees) nor members of the faculty and who are principally involved in research activities. In 1977, the group included an estimated 4,200 individuals and represented 3 percent of the total number of Ph.D. scientists and engineers employed in the academic sectors. More than half of the doctoral research staff were employed in the biosciences or physics. Between 1975 and 1977, the numbers holding research staff positions increased 20 percent, compared with an 8 percent growth in faculty. The doctoral research staff group, while still small in total number, is disproportionately important for research. In many universities, members of the group are treated as second class citizens with respect to privileges and conditions of employment. A detailed statistical analysis of the demographic characteristics and employment situations of doctoral research staff is presented. Appended materials include a list of institutions visited and examples of the questions asked during site visits; the agenda and participants in the Conference on the Changing Role of Doctoral Research Staff in the University; sampling error estimates for survey data; and characteristics and employment of selected groups of Ph.D. scientists and engineers. (SC)