40.057:  Research Appointments

Appointments as research faculty (e.g., Assistant Research Professor, Associate Research Professor, or Research Professor) are governed by Policy and Procedure 01.015, "Establishment and Review of Centers and Institutes," and the Faculty Handbook.

In the absence of an exception formally granted in accordance with Policy and Procedure 01.003, "Exceptions to or Restrictions of University Policies," this policy applies to all research employees whose positions are funded more than 50% from any combination of the following sources:

1. Startup funds for new faculty (Oracle Financials Accounts with Project code prefix "SU").

2. Research Incentive funds (Oracle Financials Accounts with Project code prefix "RI").

3. Restricted Accounts (e.g., grants and contracts).

4. Internal Awards -- often used for postdocs, this includes 1804 Fund Research Grants (Oracle Financials Accounts with Project code prefix "IA").

5. Foundation Accounts (Oracle Financials Accounts with Project code prefix "FN").

Any position otherwise falling under Policy and Procedure 40.055, "Pay Determination for Classified, Classified IT, and Administrative IT Staff," or Policy and Procedure 40.036, "Administrative and Professional Pay Plan," can be designated a Research position on the basis of its funding source. As appointing authority, the Chief Human Resources Officer will make final determinations regarding Research designation. For example, a new, 100%-grant-funded position determined to be an Administrative Assistant could be designated as Research, and terms and conditions of appointment would adhere to this policy.

Research employees are considered Special Appointments, as described in Policy and Procedure 40.106, "Administrative Appointments."

Policies and Procedures 41.013, "Reduction in Force of Administrators," 41.012, "Termination of Administrative Appointments for Cause," and 40.041, "Change of Classified Position Status," do not apply to research employees. Employment for Research employees is considered "employment at will," and is at the discretion of the employing authority. The University can terminate the appointment at any time. Written notice of termination will be provided at least two weeks in advance of the anticipated termination date, if circumstances permit.

I.   Research Employment Categories

Research employees can be salaried (Administrative) or hourly (Unclassified Hourly). Appointments can be Regular (9- through 12-month employment period), or Term (less than 9-month employment period), as follows:

A.   Unclassified Hourly

Unclassified Hourly employees may hold positions meeting any of these three descriptions:

1. Full-time Regular Research Unclassified Hourly: 40 hours per week; 9- through 12-month employment period.

2. Part-time Regular Research Unclassified Hourly: Less than 40 hours per week; 9- through 12-month employment period.

3. Term Research Unclassified Hourly: 0-40 hours per week; 0- through 8-month employment period.

B.   Administrative

Research Administrator employees may hold positions meeting any of these three descriptions:

1. Full-time Regular Research Administrator: 40 hours per week; 9- through 12-month employment period.

2. Part-time Regular Research Administrator: Less than 40 hours per week; 9- through 12-month employment period.

3. Term Research Administrator: 0-40 hours per week; 0- through 8-month employment period.

II.   Compensation and Benefits

The chart below indicates the pay type, pay rate determination method, and applicability of various benefits for each category of Research employee. A "Y" indicates that the benefit or compensation on that row does apply to employees of that column.

Unless otherwise noted, Research Unclassified Hourly will follow existing compensation and benefits policies for non-bargaining unit Classified Staff; Research Administrators will follow existing compensation and benefits policies for Administrators; and, with the obvious exceptions of the first four rows of this table, the table applies to both Research Unclassified Hourly and Research Administrative appointments.

Applicability of Benefits and Compensation by Research Employment Type
Compensation and Benefits	Full Time Regular ("Group I")	Part-Time Regular ("Group II")	Term ("Group III")
Unclassified Hourly Pay	Hourly	Hourly	Hourly
Research Administrator Pay	Salaried	Salaried	Salaried
Unclassified Hourly Pay Determination	Will mirror Classified Pay Plan (see Policy 40.055)
Research Administrator Pay Determination	Will mirror Administrative Pay Plan (see Policies 40.036 and 40.055)
Health and Life Insurance	Y	Y
Educational Benefits	Y	Y
Sick Leave	Y	Y
Sick Payout	Y	Y
Vacation Leave	Y	Y
Vacation Payout	Y	Y
Unemployment	Y	Y	Y
Workers Compensation	Y	Y	Y
Holidays	Y	Y	Y
Medical Leave	Y	Y	FMLA only
Disability Leave	Y	Y
Personal Leave	Y	Y
Performance Evaluation	Y	Y	informal
Annual Pay Raise	hourly: standard formula; salaried: merit-based; both: budget allowing	hourly: standard formula; salaried: merit-based; both: budget allowing	hourly: standard formula; salaried: merit-based; both: budget allowing
Employment Process	online	online	online
Retirement	Y	Y	Y

1. President

2. Executive Vice President and Provost

3. Executive Staff

4. Council of Research Scholarship and Creative Activity

5. Faculty Senate

6. Associate Deans for Research

7. Chairs and Directors Council

8. Policy and Procedure Review Committee