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II.B RESEARCH TRACK (RT)

Track Description

The primary responsibility of faculty members in this track is research. Individuals appointed to this track typically have a doctoral degree and post-doctoral experience, and their research may be dependent upon or associated with other ongoing research projects, or is service-related. Occasionally individuals with highly independent research programs are appointed to this track, but financial commitments from the University usually depend upon external, non-departmental grant support as specified by initial or subsequent appointment and reappointment contracts. Contributions to teaching and administrative responsibilities add to the strength of the application, but may not be required for appointment, reappointment or promotion, depending on the requirements of the department. Teaching and service and/or administrative responsibilities shall be clearly outlined in the departmental ARPT criteria, and in letters of initial appointment and subsequent letters of reappointment. Faculty in this track shall be appointed or reappointed for a minimum term of one year, not to exceed five years, with the exception of those individuals appointed for the term of a grant or contract. The terms of appointment, reappointment, and notice of nonreappointment for both clinical and non-clinical faculty members in this qualified track are described at the beginning of Section II.

Tenure is not granted in this track; however, qualified individuals may be considered for transfer to the tenure track. If it is the intent to transfer to one of the tenure tracks after initial appointment, this should be stated in the initial letter of appointment. Whether stated in the letter of appointment or not, transfer to any other track is neither automatic nor guaranteed and requires approval of the Dean and Senior Vice President to create a tenure track position. After that approval, the process to be followed is the same as that for reappointment including recommendations to the Dean by Departmental and College Committees as well as the Department Director. Transfer to a different track depends upon many factors including, but not limited to, the documentation that the candidate fulfills and will continue to fulfill the criteria for that track.

RT II.B(1) - CRITERIA FOR INITIAL APPOINTMENT

Recommendations for initial appointment include favorable peer evaluations and documentation of past research accomplishments, present research projects, and indications of future potential in research. A role in the teaching programs of the College MAY BE identified.

RT II.B(1)a - INSTRUCTOR

Individuals appointed as Instructor generally have recently completed post-doctoral positions and are beginning their professional career. Potential for excellence in research is of prime importance and is indicated by recommendations from mentors as well as publications and/or research programs which reflect the candidate's ability to plan and conduct original research projects.

RT II.B(1)b - ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Candidates for appointment as Assistant Professor have fulfilled the expectations described for appointment to Instructor. Candidates for appointment as Assistant Professor have or are participants in a well-designed research program which is, or has the potential to be, externally funded. Independent research projects are laudable; however, joint research projects are common at this rank. Publications in peer-reviewed journals, participation in national meetings and symposia, and invitations to give seminars and serve on workshop panels are indicative of research importance and the candidate's standing in the field. Participation in some aspects of the College teaching programs may be required according to departmental needs as set forth in the departmental ARPT criteria.

RT II.B(1)c - ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Candidates for appointment as Associate Professor have fulfilled the expectations described for appointment to Assistant Professor. Appointment as Associate Professor requires outstanding research productivity and importance as evidenced by publications in major journals, funding from private, regional, and/or national agencies, and presentations at national/international meetings, symposia, and workshops. Evaluations by colleagues and experts in the candidate's field of expertise must confirm the candidate's qualifications as a capable researcher who has made or has the potential to make significant contributions to science. The quality of the research is more important than the quantity. Contributions to teaching and service and/or administrative responsibilities, as required by the department, add to the strength of the application.

RT II.B(1)d PROFESSOR

Candidates for appointment as Professor have fulfilled the expectations described for appointment to Associate Professor. Appointment as Professor is based on continued outstanding research productivity and national recognition of research achievements. The candidate is regarded as an expert in his/her area of research and is sought as a reviewer for publications and/or grants, a participant in symposia and conferences, and a source of information and advice. The research program is well funded and laboratory personnel may include graduate students as well as research assistants, post doctoral fellows, and technicians. Teaching and service and/or administrative responsibilities, as required by the department, add to the strength of the application. When the individual is not the principal investigator on grants, his/her role as a major contributor in the design, supervision, and conduction of all aspects of the research must be evident.

RT II.B(2) - REAPPOINTMENT

Reappointment is usually based upon the individual's productivity and availability of continued external funding for the position. Contributions to teaching, service and/or administrative duties are also considered. In the event that a nonreappointment recommendation is made on a fiscal basis, the reviewing body shall clearly state that the reason for the negative recommendation is based upon failure to meet external funding requirements. Evaluation of productivity is based primarily on the established requirements and expectations of the department as detailed in the individual's initial letter of appointment and subsequent letters of reappointment and performance evaluations by the Departmental Director. Where appropriate, individuals must have maintained relevant professional licensure and hospital staff privileges.

RT II.B(3) - PROMOTION

Promotion to a higher rank is dependent upon attainment of the credentials required for that rank. Most weight is given to the research productivity of the candidate and the quality of his/her publications.

RT II.B(4) - TENURE IS NOT AN OPTION IN THE RESEARCH TRACK

Tenure may not be granted to faculty in this track; however, individuals who fulfill the appropriate criteria may apply for transfer to the tenure track as described in either SECTION II.A or II.B.