For all Faculty and Staff in the AAUP Bargaining Unit.

Clinical Faculty Titles

Clinical Faculty Titles include: Clinical Professor, Associate Clinical Professor, Assistant Clinical Professor and Clinical Instructor.

These titles are used in the Schools of Pharmacy, Nursing and Law for temporary, non-tenure track appointments hired part-time or full-time to provide clinical instruction and supervision on site.

In-Residence Titles

In-Residence titles include: Professor in-Residence, Associate Professor in-Residence, Assistant Professor in-Residence, Instructor in-Residence, Extension Professor in-Residence, Associate Extension Professor in-Residence, Assistant Extension Professor in-Residence, Extension Instructor in-Residence, Senior Cooperative Extension Educator in-Residence, Cooperative Extension Educator in-Residence, Associate Cooperative Extension Educator in-Residence and Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator in-Residence.

In-residence titles are used for temporary, non-tenure track appointments paralleling each of the four regular faculty ranks. Faculty members in these titles may be asked to carry out all aspects of the faculty role, teaching, research and service, and must meet the same professional criteria as the tenure track faculty, as specified in the University’s Laws, By-Laws and Rules. Their appointment may include serving as the Principal Investigator on sponsored research projects (Appendix A).

Appointments to in-residence titles are generally tied to specific grants or contracts or they are a temporary one-year-at-a-time special appointment. (AAUP Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article 26.) For this reason in-residence faculty are hired with end-date appointments. Individuals in these titles may be reappointed if all regular academic criteria are met and funding has been secured.

Evaluation of in-residence faculty for reappointment and promotion shall be done by means of the Promotion, Tenure and Reappointment (PTR) procedures, but these positions are neither eligible for tenure nor do they accumulate time toward tenure, except as noted below. Promotions will only be effective if and when the reappointment is confirmed. Reappointment following the PTR review is always contingent upon funding being available.

Note: If persons who have held in-residence positions at the University are later appointed to a regular tenure-track faculty position, the time spent in the in-residence title at the University or some portion of that time may be counted towards the probationary period for the tenure-track position. There is no guarantee of approval.

Joint Appointment

When a department wishes to extend membership to a faculty member who is a regular member of another department, the department head and dean may recommend a joint appointment with the same professional title. Normally, these appointments are for five academic years, and the contributions to the program which they recognize might include teaching courses or parts of courses, supervising graduate students, sharing research or service endeavors, and the like. These should be described explicitly. A standard letter of appointment should be sent.

Lecturer (Non-Permanent)

This is a temporary non-tenure track title which is used for faculty who are hired to meet a specific teaching assignment, or who are filling in for someone on leave.

In practice, Lecturers are used in a variety of ways. For the most part they are hired to teach, but in some instances, they are academic administrators who teach occasional courses, but whose primary responsibility is to administer academic programs or provide student services (e.g., advising, supervising student placements and internships). Lecturer positions always carry an end-date which may be renewed and they are paid on the regular payroll. Lecturers may be hired with credentials and salaries comparable to regular faculty titles.

Lecturers on the regular payroll who have been employed full-time (excluding summer sessions) for either twelve consecutive or twelve out of sixteen consecutive semesters, upon the start of the next semester are eligible for a three-year appointment. (See AAUP Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article 26.III.)

Research Associate and Research Assistant

Research Associate and Research Assistant Titles include: Research Associate III (Senior Technical Specialist), Research Associate II (Intermediate Level Technical Specialist), Research Associate I (First Level Technical Specialist), Research Assistant III (Advanced Level Technician), Research Assistant II (First Working Level Technician) and Research Assistant I (Trainee).

Research Associates and Research Assistants, working under the direction of a Principal Investigator or faculty member who directs the research, are directly engaged in the research endeavor and are expected to make scholarly contributions to the research specialty by assisting faculty in identifying and selecting problems for investigation, planning experiments and evaluating, interpreting and publishing results. They may participate in aspects of teaching, but have no formal responsibility for teaching or course content. The job descriptions are intended to cover the sciences: natural or life sciences, physical sciences and social sciences.

The descriptions of their duties were drawn up with the underlying assumption that these jobs are a career in themselves. They are research support positions and do not lead to faculty rank. Individuals who hold these titles are not Principal Investigators, nor do they do self-directed research; however, at least at the Research Associate level, they are expected to make significant scholarly contributions. Even at the Research Assistant level, their work is intimately involved in the overall research effort and should be viewed as the training ground for an ever-broadening comprehension of, and contribution to, the research specialty.

These positions are normally funded by research grants; therefore, individuals who hold these positions have end-date appointments. As members of the AAUP their salary, leave time and conditions of employment are established in Article 24 of the collective bargaining agreement.

Requests for reclassification (promotion) when the incumbent meets the minimum education and experience requirements of the next level, as identified in the criteria below, are forwarded through the supervisory channel to the Human Resources department. Salary increases which are approved for other than reclassification’s are normally added when the scheduled collective bargaining increase occurs.

Credit for prior experience should be determined at time of hire.

Title	Descriptions
Research Associate III (Senior Technical Specialist)	Employees in this title are free to plan, develop and organize their work within broad objectives and the intent of their research. They work with a PI to discuss progress and difficult problems and to review results. In addition to carrying out the activities of the intermediate level, they are major participants in the overall research effort and contribute original ideas of major methodological significance to the investigation. They perform complex methods which may require extreme finesse, they select, organize and work out the techniques and methods most suitable for the project at hand. They call upon a broad body of knowledge and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques, selecting those which will achieve the most valid results. They have a comprehensive understanding of the interrelationship of a series of complex steps and sequences, the skills to evaluate the validity of results and to modify methods where results seem questionable.   They may manage a lab, with formal responsibility for supervising technical staff and executing research projects, managing the lab budget, purchasing supplies and maintaining lab safety. In their area of expertise, they participate in training and teaching graduate and honors thesis students.   The position requires a Ph.D. with nine or more years of post-degree experience.
Research Associate II (Intermediate Level Technical Specialist)	Individuals in this title independently plan the day to day research activities for others, as well as for themselves. They are free to plan, develop and organize their work within broad guidance and may develop procedures and methods which do not conflict with research objectives. They periodically check with the PI to discuss progress and unusual problems and to review the results of their work.   They participate in the overall research effort, test and implement new methods, recommend changes in experimental design and protocols, and with some regularity, resolve new, unusual and difficult problems. Their level of work is more complex than the first level and their skills are generally gained through experience. They write scientific papers and progress reports for grants, contribute to grant proposals and present research results at scientific meetings.   They may manage a lab, with formal responsibility for supervising a technical staff and executing research projects. They manage the lab budget, purchase supplies, are responsible for lab safety. In their area of expertise, they participate in training and teaching graduate and honors thesis students.   The position requires a Ph.D. with five or more years of post-degree experience. Staff normally work four years in this position before they are considered for promotion to the next level.
Research Associate I (First Level Technical Specialist)	Employees in this title will plan and carry out assignments with little supervision. They work closely with a PI on a research plan and report to the PI by means of occasional conferences to discuss work progress or new problems which require advice.   They participate in the overall research effort, test and implement new methods, recommend changes in experimental design and protocols and resolve new, unusual or difficult problems in consultation with the PI. They are expected to weigh and determine the most appropriate approach to the project at hand and they may custom-design and modify extremely complex lab equipment. This position requires the ability to perform difficult techniques and procedures, the skill to make good judgments when conditions require modifications and problem solving and where errors may be difficult to detect or resolve.   Incumbents must be able to apply beginning Ph.D. level principles and theories , be broadly familiar with the pertinent literature, understand the effect of various techniques on the accuracy of results, conduct in-depth literature searches and write scientific papers. They operate, maintain, calibrate, trouble-shoot and resolve major problems with lab instruments and equipment which require extreme finesse and prolonged training to use safely and proficiently.   These individuals supervise small groups of student assistants and oversee lab operations. In their area of expertise, they participate in training and teaching graduate and honors thesis students, as well as instruct students and staff in research techniques and methods.   The position requires a Ph.D. and from no experience to one year of post-degree experience or, in extraordinary circumstances, an M.A. or M.S. with eight to ten years of post-degree experience. Staff normally work four years in this position before they are considered for promotion to the next level.
Research Assistant III (Advanced Level Technician)	Employees in this position receive a general outline of duties and are usually free to plan and arrange their own work within a wide range of practices and procedures. Their work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established objectives.   They independently test and modify established methods, develop new procedures under guidance and modify or custom-design lab equipment which is highly specialized and complex. They are expected to perform highly specialized tasks and laboratory techniques of moderate difficulty. Their work requires precision and accuracy and involves repeatable results which require frequent problem solving. They have sound knowledge of scientific principles and must be able to conduct literature reviews, write comprehensive analytical reports for inclusion in publications and write grant progress reports. They operate, maintain, calibrate, trouble-shoot and resolve difficult problems with sophisticated or sensitive lab instruments and equipment, which requires a finesse as well as prolonged training in order to use them safely and proficiently.   They ordinarily supervise other technical staff and assist in instructing students and technical staff in practical research methods through informal methods and demonstrations. They are responsible for lab safety and for maintaining an adequate inventory of supplies. In some departments they may manage a lab with formal responsibility for supervising staff and for executing research projects, managing budgets, making lab purchases and handling lab safety.   The position requires a B.A. or B.S. and four to five years of post-degree experience or an M.A. or M.S. and two to four years of post-degree experience. Equivalencies with no degree will only be considered in the most extraordinary circumstances. Individuals normally work six years in this position before they are considered for promotion to the next level.
Research Assistant II (First Working Level Technician)	Employees in this title receive general instructions and independently carry out established methods; their work is periodically checked for accuracy and progress. They test and modify established methods under guidance and may modify or custom-design specialized equipment under guidance. They perform a variety of specialized tasks and standard laboratory techniques of ordinary difficulty and finesse; the need for accuracy and repeatable results in their work requires the application of problem-solving skills with some regularity.   The position requires a working knowledge of scientific principles and the ability to conduct literature searches, write routine analytical reports, operate, maintain, calibrate, trouble-shoot and resolve ordinary problems with complex lab instruments and equipment which require substantial training and judgment to use safely and proficiently. They may supervise other technical staff and assist in instructing students and technical staff in practical research procedures through informal methods and demonstrations. Their responsibilities include ensuring lab safety and maintaining an adequate inventory of supplies.   The position requires a B.A. or B.S. and two to three years of post-degree experience or an M.A. or M.S. and from no experience to one year of post-degree experience. Equivalent specialized training and experience may be considered for those without a degree. Staff normally work two years in this position before they are considered for promotion to the next level.
Research Assistant I (Trainee)	Employees in this title receive explicit instructions for their work and follow well-established methods. The results of their work are regularly reviewed for accuracy and completeness. They may offer suggestions regarding minor modification of techniques and may assist in modifying or custom designing specialized equipment. They generally perform standard repetitive operations of limited variety which require little or no finesse. Accuracy and repeatable results are easily obtained in their work. They are able to apply basic knowledge of scientific principles, but require training in more difficult procedures. They may operate, calibrate, maintain and trouble-shoot routine problems with lab instruments and equipment which are standard to the research specialty, but require some training to use with proficiency. They have no supervisory responsibilities.   The position requires a B.A. or B.S. with no post-degree experience or equivalent specialized training and experience. Staff normally work two years in this position before they are considered for promotion to the next level.

Research Faculty Titles

Research Faculty titles include: Research Professor, Associate Research Professor and Assistant Research Professor.

These internal titles are used for temporary, non-tenure track faculty appointments paralleling regular faculty ranks. Faculty members in these titles are primarily responsible for research. For the most part, these positions carry no formal teaching obligations, although qualified individuals may on occasion be requested to teach courses in a department.

Research faculty must meet the same professional criteria as the tenure track faculty for research and service contributions, including the ability to serve as a Principal Investigator (Appendix A). Their term of appointment may be for nine or eleven months on an end-date basis, usually, although not always, on grant funds. Research faculty may be reappointed.

Evaluation of research faculty for reappointment and promotion is done by means of the PTR procedure, but persons holding this appointment are not eligible for tenure and do not accumulate time toward tenure. Reappointment following a review is always contingent upon funding being available.

Research Scientist/Scholar

Research Scientist/Scholar titles include: Senior Research Scientist/Scholar, Research Scientist/Scholar and Associate Research Scientist/Scholar.

These internal titles are used for appointments associated with the conduct of self-supported research. Individuals holding these titles are expected to apply for grants as Principal Investigators and support their own research activities through such grants.

The work of the Research Scientist and the Research Scholar is similar. The choice of whether to use “Scientist” or “Scholar” depends on which is the more commonly used term for the discipline. “Scientist” is usually preferred in the physical or biological sciences and “Scholar” in the humanities.

Since these are not faculty appointments, responsibilities do not include an educational role, such as serving as a major advisor or on graduate committees. While members of the professional staff are frequently involved in student training to some limited degree, student training is not a formal responsibility of the Research Scientist/Scholar, nor should it be an expectation on the part of the individual or the University.

These titles may be used by academic departments, as well as by centers and institutes. Appointments must be approved by the appropriate department head and dean or director, as well as the dean of the Graduate School and the provost. Approvals of these appointments are based on the nature and merits of the research, the qualifications and past record of the individual, and the availability of University resources such as space, equipment, support staff, funds for cost-sharing or other similar grant requirements.

These are non-tenure track, end-date appointments, ordinarily confined to a maximum of one year, paid from the research grants generated by the incumbents. Appointment dates will coincide with the granting period. The University has no obligation to continue these employees if they cannot attract research funds.

Individuals in these ranks are expected to have research credentials equivalent to those of Assistant Professor (Associate Research Scientist/Scholar), Associate Professor (Research Scientist/Scholar), and Full Professor (Senior Research Scientist/Scholar). Promotion and reappointment should be modeled after the faculty PTR process and thus depend on the quality of the research, productivity, publication record, experience of the individual and other relevant criteria. Responsibility for evaluation and oversight rests with the department head in instances of appointments to an academic department and with the director for appointments to a center or institute.

Adjunct Faculty

This title is used for individuals employed part-time during the academic year as the Instructor of Record for credit courses, up to a maximum of eight (8) credits a semester. These positions are paid through the University’s special payroll and are normally one-semester appointments. The eight-credit maximum for an academic semester refers to the total course load for all departments in which they teach. Any increases above the eight-credit limit are permitted in rare circumstances only with the approval of the Department of Human Resources and the AAUP.

Adjunct faculty are paid on a per credit basis, at a rate defined in the current AAUP collective bargaining agreement (Article 19.IV). Employees in this title are eligible for faculty parking permits, an e-mail account and faculty library privileges.

Please see the University’s “Special Payroll Authorization Instruction Manual”.

Visiting Titles

Visiting titles include: Visiting Professor, Visiting Associate Professor, Visiting Assistant Professor and Visiting Instructor.

To signify the temporary nature of a faculty title “visiting” may precede it. These titles are used for professionals outside the University who are appointed temporarily to a special faculty assignment. Appointments vary from a few weeks, to a semester, to a year. See AAUP collective bargaining agreement, Article 26.

Last reviewed January 2008