Research Faculty Appointment and Promotion (VI.F.8)

Volume VI: Human Resources
Chapter F: Terms and Conditions of Employment
Responsible Executive: Executive Vice President for Research
Responsible Office: Office of the Vice President for Research
Date Issued: April 1, 2012
Date Last Revised: July 1, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contacts
Statement of Policy
Reason for This Policy
Individuals and Entities Affected by This Policy
Exclusions
Responsibilities
Definitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document)
Related Documents, Forms and Tools
Website Address for This Policy
History and Updates
Appendix

CONTACTS

STATEMENT OF POLICY

Research Faculty positions are intended to provide a career path that allows for research leadership, independence, individual scientific growth and the opportunity for promotion through academic ranks. They are envisioned to be equivalent to the tenure-track faculty position without requiring the responsibility of classroom teaching, or service and engagement, and without eligibility for tenure.

Research Faculty are responsible for complying with all policies and procedures that relate to their employment and to their use of/access to university facilities and resources, both those now in effect and those adopted from time to time by the University. Colleges (including schools/departments and centers/institutes housed in colleges) that report to a dean and Discovery Park District (DPD) centers/institutes that report to the Executive Vice President for Research may employ Research Faculty in accordance with this policy. The Procedures for Research Faculty Appointment, Review and Promotion outline the requirements that must be met for Research Faculty to be appointed in these units.

The primary responsibilities of Research Faculty are research and research-related activities, including but not limited to proposal writing, project supervision, and teaching/mentorship specifically linked to their scholarship and research programs (e.g., supervision of undergraduates, graduate students and Postdoctoral Researchers). Although Research Faculty do not have regular teaching duties, it is recognized that instances may occur when it is advantageous to expose students to a specialized expertise. In cases where a Research Faculty member is considered for a limited teaching assignment, a separate part-time teaching appointment is required. Such part-time teaching appointments must be prior approved by the Executive Vice President for Research and the Provost (West Lafayette) or Chancellor (Fort Wayne and Northwest).

Appointments

Research Faculty will be appointed with academic rank equivalent to tenure-track faculty (i.e., assistant professor, associate professor or full professor). The faculty rank of instructor is not available for Research Faculty. Qualifications for the three Research Faculty ranks are comparable to those of tenure-track ranks, but with primary or singular focus on research credentials. The ability to secure external funding does not automatically qualify individuals for Research Faculty appointments.

Individuals appointed to Research Faculty positions will:

1. Engage in activities that support the academic and scholarly life of the University, particularly those that enhance the discovery mission of the University;
2. Possess outstanding research credentials, similar to the research credentials of tenure-track and tenured faculty at comparable rank;
3. Possess a doctorate or appropriate terminal degree in their field of research;
4. Participate in activities that enhance professional growth; and
5. Develop and lead impactful research programs.

Review of Research Faculty candidates for hiring (and promotion) will be conducted with the same rigor accorded that within the tenure-track and tenured ranks. Research Faculty members will be hired at a rank commensurate with their professional experience and qualifications and in accordance with the following (in addition to the guidelines established by the college or DPD):

• Assistant Research Professor: Candidates for appointment to this rank must exhibit significant promise for establishing a research program that is impactful, nationally recognized, and contributes to the discovery mission of the University.
• Associate Research Professor: Candidates for appointment to this rank must have a significant and sustained record of research leadership, scholarly accomplishment and externally funded research. The candidate additionally must show promise of continued professional growth, national recognition and contribution to the discovery mission of the University.
• Research Professor: Candidates for appointment to this rank must be nationally and internationally recognized authorities in their field and have established significant and sustained extramural research funding, which contributes to the discovery mission of the University.

Research Faculty may be employed on a fiscal-year or academic-year basis. The employment period for fiscal-year appointments begins and ends with the actual dates of employment. The policy on Academic-Year Employment (VI.F.12), as amended or superseded, outlines the employment period for academic-year appointments.

Compensation and Benefits

Research Faculty positions, including associated salaries, supplemental payments and fringe benefits, must be primarily supported by extramural or non-general funds. However, certain research-related effort (e.g., proposal writing, graduate student advisory committees, and other activities not related to the objectives of funded research projects) cannot be compensated by sponsored program funds. Therefore, subject to the availability of funds, a small proportion of Research Faculty effort may be supported by alternative sources, including internal, unrestricted university funds (e.g., general funds). The amount of this alternative support is at the appointing unit’s discretion, but must be at least 5% of the total annual compensation of each Research Faculty position. Sources of salary support must be detailed in the offer letter.

Refer to the policy on Academic-Year Employment (VI.F.12) for information on summer support for Research Faculty with academic-year appointments.

Salary levels for new research faculty will fall within the range for tenure-track and tenured faculty in the same or similar discipline. In general, Research Faculty are exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Research Faculty will be eligible for annual merit salary increases in accordance with direction from the Board of Trustees and President. Salary increases for the Research Faculty classification will be averaged with tenure-track, tenured and clinical/professional faculty salary increases. These increases will be effective on July 1. Refer to the Procedures for Research Faculty Appointment, Review and Promotion for details on budgeting and charging for Research Faculty with multi-year appointments.

Research Faculty with appointments of 0.50 FTE or greater are eligible for the following benefits:

1. Insurance: Health, vision, dental, long-term disability, term life and accidental death/dismemberment as approved by the Board of Trustees. Additional types of voluntary insurance plans may be offered as determined by Human Resources.
2. Retirement: Defined contribution and/or mandatory plans as approved by the Board of Trustees.
3. Leaves: Paid and unpaid leaves of absence as outlined in the following policies:
   1. Leaves of Absence (VI.E.2)
   2. Paid Parental Leave (VI.E.3)
4. Paid holidays as approved by the Board of Trustees and the President, and in accordance with University pay practices.
5. Tuition remission as outlined in the policy on Tuition for Employees and Dependents Registered as Students (II.D.3).

Appointments of less than 0.50 FTE and Short-Term Appointments are not eligible for benefits.  Research Faculty are not eligible for sabbatical leave.

Temporary Reductions in Funding

When grant funding ends prior to the availability of anticipated new funding, the appointing unit may continue the employment of the Research Faculty member and provide salary support from departmental/center resources, including general funds, for a bridging period of up to 12 months. This bridging provision is intended to be available infrequently and only after periods of significant extramural funding. Initial appointments are not eligible for bridge funding. Any commitment of salary support in the case of unanticipated loss of project funds will be the responsibility of the hiring unit.

Research Faculty Privileges

Research Faculty may be members of the graduate faculty and serve as advisors, co-advisors and members of graduate advisory committees for graduate students. Research Faculty may serve as major professors for graduate students in their home academic unit, subject to the policies and procedures of the unit and the Graduate School.

Research Faculty at the associate and full ranks may serve on promotion committees considering promotion of Research Faculty to a rank equivalent to or lower than the Research Faculty committee member. Research Faculty are not eligible to serve on tenure-track faculty promotion and tenure committees. Eligibility for service on other committees should be limited, consistent with the preference of the home unit, and subject to the condition that the effort expended must be allocable to an appropriate funding source. Expectations for committee service must be stated explicitly in the document that established the Research Faculty position and in the offer letter.

Research Faculty are eligible to compete for funding from competitive programs and research awards administered by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research. Eligibility to compete for other internal funding and college/school/department/center/institute-based research awards is determined by the guidelines for the specific award and the relevant individual unit guidelines.

Research Faculty are eligible for consideration for distinguished and named status in accordance with the policy on Distinguished and Named Professorships and Faculty Scholars (VI.C.1). Research Faculty also are eligible for emeritus status, subject to the same eligibility criteria as for tenure-track and tenured faculty.

REASON FOR THIS POLICY

In January 2005, the University Senate passed University Senate Document 04-4 as Amended and Approved January 24, 2005. This document, titled “Proposal for Non-Tenure Track Research Faculty within Purdue University," established the employment classification of Research Faculty in response to the changing research environment and evolving discovery mission of the University. This policy reestablishes the principles and requirements for the appointment and promotion of Research Faculty at Purdue University.

INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES AFFECTED BY THIS POLICY

All campuses, units, faculty, staff and students at Purdue University.

EXCLUSIONS

There are no exclusions to this policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Vice President for Research

• Administer this policy and maintain the Procedures for Research Faculty Appointment, Review and Promotion.
• For the West Lafayette campus, review requests to establish Research Faculty positions and make a final determination.
• For the West Lafayette campus, review Research Faculty appointments for prior approval when applicable and make a final decision.
• For the West Lafayette campus, chair the Area Committee for Promotion considerations of Research Faculty with primary appointments in DPD centers/institutes or delegate this responsibility.
• Serve on Panel C.
• Take all Research Faculty promotion recommendations to the Board of Trustees for ratification.

Chancellor

• Review requests to establish Research Faculty positions on their campus and make a final determination.
• Review Research Faculty appointments on their campus for prior approval when applicable and make a final determination.
• Review Research Faculty promotion candidates on their campus and submit approved candidates to the Vice President for Research for recommendation to the Board of Trustees for ratification.

Provost

• Serve as chair of Panel C.

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

• Review requests to establish Research Faculty positions on their campus and forward approved requests to the Chancellor for review.

Academic Units and Centers

• Document the guidelines and requirements for Research Faculty specific to their unit.

Department/School Heads and DPD Center/Institute Directors

• Review requests to establish Research Faculty positions in their units and determine whether to forward the request to the next level.

Deans and Vice President of Discovery Park District

• Review requests to establish Research Faculty positions in their units and determine whether to forward the request to the next level.
• Upon authorization to establish a Research Faculty position, authorize the search or obtain approval for a search waiver.
• Ensure appropriate funding exists to support the Research Faculty position.
• Obtain prior approvals as necessary for Research Faculty appointments and extend an offer.

Primary Committee

• Consider Research Faculty candidates for promotion.

Area Committee

• Consider Research Faculty candidates for promotion following the Primary Committee’s review.

Campus Promotions Committees and Panel C

• Consider Research Faculty candidates for promotion following the Area Committee’s review.

Research Faculty

• Adhere to the requirements of this policy and the terms and conditions of their employment contract.
• Return all University property upon separation from the University.

DEFINITIONS

All defined terms are capitalized throughout the document. Refer to the central Policy Glossary for additional defined terms.

Area Committee
A college or DPD level committee (typically) that reviews recommendations from the Primary Committee. Each campus determines the make-up of these committees. Refer to the Related Documents, Forms and Tools section for links to each campus’s Tenure and Promotion site for details.   

Campus Promotions Committee
A standing, campus-level committee that reviews recommendations from the Area Committees. Each campus determines the make-up of this committee. Refer to the Related Documents, Forms and Tools section for links to each campus’s Tenure and Promotion site for details.

DPD
The administrative unit responsible for overseeing and managing Purdue’s interdisciplinary institutes and centers based at the Discovery Park District on the West Lafayette campus, or an administrative organization that is a successor to this unit.

FTE
The full-time equivalent of an employee’s appointment, with one (1) being full time.

Panel C
A subset of the West Lafayette Campus Promotions Committee that considers Research Faculty promotion candidates. Committee membership is comprised as follows:

• Provost as chair
• Executive Vice President for Research (ex officio)
• Two academic deans or associate deans from colleges/schools that employ Research Faculty
• Three faculty members appointed by the Provost from the West Lafayette Campus Promotions Committee
• Three Research Faculty appointed by the Provost, at rank greater than or equal to the rank to which promotion is being considered

Postdoctoral Researcher
See definition in the policy on Terms and Conditions of Employment of Postdoctoral Researchers, Clinical Residents and Clinical Interns (VI.F.13).

Primary Committee
The first-level committee tasked with reviewing candidates for promotion. Each campus determines the make-up of these committees. Refer to the Related Documents, Forms and Tools section for links to each campus’s Tenure and Promotion site for details.

Research Faculty
A non-tenure faculty position that reports to a department head or DPD center/institute director. Research Faculty carry no sustained teaching, service, or engagement duties other than the supervision of the research activities of undergraduate and graduate students and Postdoctoral Researchers. Department/school/college policies addressing graduate student mentorship that apply to tenure-track/tenured faculty will apply equally to Research Faculty. Research Faculty are qualified and expected to develop and lead impactful research programs.

Research Scientist/Research Associate/Research Scholar/Research Engineer/Research Analyst
Researchers in staff positions that contribute to the discovery mission of the University who work collaboratively with and typically report to academic or Research Faculty members. Research Scientists/Associates/Scholars/Engineers/Analysts may lead independent research programs, but may not serve as principal investigators on grant applications without prior approval of the appointing unit head/director, the appropriate dean or Vice President for Discovery Park, the EVPR, and the director of Sponsored Program Services. These staff positions can be a career path to the Research Faculty position. This definition is provided to distinguish these staff positions from that of Research Faculty.

Short-Term Appointments
Any appointment of less than one semester (for academic-year appointments) or five months (for fiscal-year appointments), regardless of the FTE.

RELATED DOCUMENTS, FORMS AND TOOLS

Procedures for Research Faculty Appointment, Review and Promotion

Frequently Asked Questions

Employment Actions Requiring Prior Approval by the Provost

Related University Policies (not exhaustive):

• Academic Freedom (I.A.4)
• Academic-Year Employment (VI.F.12)
• Conflicts of Commitment and Reportable Outside Activities (III.B.1)
• Distinguished and Named Professorships and Faculty Scholars (VI.C.1)
• Effort Reporting (II.C.1)
• Individual Financial Conflicts of Interest (III.B.2)
• Intellectual Property (I.A.1)
• Leaves of Absence (VI.E.2)
• Responsible Conduct of Research (S-20)

Tenure and Promotion campus websites (includes committee make-up)

• Fort Wayne
• Indianapolis
• Northwest
• West Lafayette

University Senate Document 04-4 as Amended and Approved January 24, 2005

WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY

www.purdue.edu/policies/human-resources/vif8.html

HISTORY AND UPDATES

July 1, 2023: Clarified what units are eligible to employ Research Faculty. Changed the requirement for support from non-external funds to at least 5% of total annual compensation instead of a maximum of 25%. Delineated the benefits for Research Faculty. Increased the bridging period maximum from six months to 12 months. Included allowance for Research Faculty to serve as advisors, co-advisors and members of graduate committees, and clarified other committee service requirements and limitations. Removed procedural information throughout to separate Procedures for Research Faculty Appointment, Review and Promotion. Redefined Area Committee, Campus Promotions Committee, and Primary Committee. Expanded and updated definition of Research Scientist/Research Associate. Added definition for DPD. Clarified wording throughout.

April 1, 2012: This policy combines and revises: 1) University Senate Document 04-4, and 2) “Research Faculty Implementation Guidelines" issued July 25, 2005, by the Office of the Vice President for Research. University Senate Document 11-1, a draft of this new policy, was approved January 23, 2012.

APPENDIX

There are no appendices to this policy.