Appointments and Promotion
Research Professor

This document is meant to provide answers to frequently asked questions regarding the university’s policies and procedures related to the research professor rank. This is NOT a complete explanation of all the policies and procedures that apply to research professors, and faculty should reference the relevant policies and procedures for additional information.

1. Overview

  • Policy Number: 201, Suffix: E
  • Applies to all faculty in research professor ranks
  • Companion to Policy 201 "Faculty appointments, promotions, and tenure"

2. Ranks and General Criteria

RANK KEY CRITERIA
Assistant Research Professor
  • Promise and commitment to achieving leadership in the field
  • Knowledge of recent advances in the field
  • Willingness to establish productive interactions with other scholars
  • Willingness to contribute to department/school/university life
Eligibility Criteria for Reappointment:
  • Progress towards achieving leadership in the field
  • Contributions to recent advances in the field
  • Productive interactions with other scholars in the field at Rice and beyond
  • Contribution to the life of the department, school, or university through service or, possibly, teaching or other activities at Rice and beyond. (Note that these contributions are not required, but should be included where applicable.)
Associate Research Professor
  • Significant progress towards achieving leadership in the field
  • Substantial contributions to recent advances in the field
  • Productive interactions with other scholars
  • Contributions to department/school/university/field life
Eligibility Criteria for Reappointment: Policy 201 “Faculty appointments, promotion and tenure” specifies the process for reappointments and terminations. Each school determines the criteria for reappointments of associate research professors
Full Research Professor
  • Tangible and substantial evidence of leadership in the field
  • Exemplary contributions to recent advances in the field
  • Expanded productive interactions with other scholars
  • Continued contributions to department/school/university/field life
Eligibility Criteria for Reappointment: Policy 201 “Faculty appointments, promotion and tenure” specifies the process for reappointments and terminations. Each school determines the criteria for reappointments of associate research professors

3. Appointment and Promotion Process

3.1 General Steps (SARP processes)

  1. Department review and vote
  2. Chair forwards dossier to dean with recommendation
  3. Dean forwards dossier to Provost (for associate and full ranks)
  4. University-wide review committee evaluates (for associate and full ranks)
  5. Provost approves or rejects

3.2 Timeline

Dossiers are due in early November for appointments starting the following July. New appointments should be presented during the semester preceding the start of the appointment.

3.3 Voting Eligibility

  • Assistant rank: Tenured, tenure-track, and research faculty
  • Associate rank: Associate professors, associate research professors, full professors, and full research professors
  • Full rank: Full professors and full research professors

4. Dossier Contents

Key minimum components for dossiers of all ranks (more extensive for higher ranks):

  • Current CV
  • 2-3 page statement summarizing research, objectives, and expected contributions
  • Documentation of start-up packages and resources
  • List of publications, grants, and other research accomplishments
  • Record of service
  • External letters of evaluation (minimum 3 for assistant, 4 for associate/full)

SARP procedures may require additional information depending on the standards and best practices of your field and school.

5. Review Process Specifics

5.1 Chair's Responsibilities

  • Explain SARP processes and timelines to candidates
  • Assemble dossier and write recommendation letter
  • Summarize review process and faculty vote
  • Advise dean on personnel decisions

5.2 Dean's Responsibilities

  • Ensure consistent implementation of reviews
  • Review materials and make recommendation to provost

5.3 University-wide Review Committee

  • Reviews associate and full research professor appointments/promotions
  • Can request additional information if needed
  • Reports insufficiencies in SARP processes to Provost
  • Make a recommendation to the Provost of whether a candidate meets the standard for appointment/promotion

6. Performance Evaluation

  • Follows minimum standards set in Policy 214 "Faculty performance reviews"
  • Schools may develop additional procedures

7. Teaching Activities

These ranks do not require faculty to engage in teaching or any other form of university service.

  • May be recruited for teaching specific courses
  • When recruited to teach classes, research professors should be given a supplemental instructional faculty appointment.
  • When appropriate, supplemental instructional faculty appointment may for supplemental salary/funding
  • Must be consistent with external funding obligations

8. Appeals

  • Must be filed within 30 calendar days of notification
  • Examines procedural issues only, not qualifications
  • Conducted by Faculty Senate appeals and grievances committee
  • President decides final action based on committee's report

9. Important Notes

  • Confidentiality is crucial throughout the entire process
  • Assistant Research Professors must be promoted to associate by end of sixth year or be removed from research professor ranks
  • Salary levels should align with industry standards and other faculty based on experience, rank, and grant levels
  • Schools may add components to dossiers but cannot reduce expectations without Provost approval
  • When evaluating for promotion or appointment, consider the candidate's access to resources compared to peers at similar ranks