How do I ask whether I am going to be an author on a proposed research project? I am a PhD Student in Australia and I have been asked to help out a research team in my lab on a grant related research project. I have a fair bit of knowledge in the area they are looking in too. I am 'close' with all members involved (two are my supervisors and one is a postdoc in my building).

All signals are going my way indicate an enthusiasm regarding including me - however, I am also aware that the project may be time consuming for me. If I do get involved, I want to ensure I will be author on any papers that are released.

Would it be a naive question to explicitly ask one of the members whether I would be an author on any papers before committing myself to research?
Early. There is a fair number of questions here, because people had different expectations.


  Would it be a naive question to explicitly ask one of the members whether I would be an author on any papers before committing myself to research?


No. Ask about your possible contribution to the project and conditions (authorship, conference presentations, extra funding etc).

It's your time and expertise, so you have full right to ask what is the expected return. Asking for it does not mean that you lack passion - you just make professional arrangements.

BTW: When it comes to authorship, it is great to make such arrangements by e-mail or anything leaving a written trace. I never had any issue with it, but I know a few first-hand stories in which people were moved first->middle or even denied authorship. So, better safe (and safe in an non intrusive way) than sorry.