A Member of Technical Staff (MTS) is the title for permanent research staff at some institutions and companies. It is roughly equivalent to an assistant professor or associate professor at a university

University

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...

 or a chief technical officer

Chief technical officer

A chief technology officer is an executive-level position in a company or other entity whose occupant is focused on scientific and technological issues within an organization....

 (CTO) in a technology startup company

Startup company

A startup company or startup is a company with a limited operating history. These companies, generally newly created, are in a phase of development and research for markets...

.

A Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS) is roughly equivalent to a full professor (or emeritus professor) at a university or a chief executive officer

Chief executive officer

A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...

 (CEO) of a technology startup company. The term is especially used at Bell Labs

Bell Labs

Bell Laboratories is the research and development subsidiary of the French-owned Alcatel-Lucent and previously of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company , half-owned through its Western Electric manufacturing subsidiary.Bell Laboratories operates its...

. Other related titles used include:

• Principal Member of Technical Staff (PMTS)
• Lead Member of Technical Staff (LMTS)
• Senior Member of Technical Staff (SMTS)
• Associate Member of Technical Staff (AMTS)
• Consulting Member of Technical Staff (CMTS)