The research title series of assistant, associate and research professor is a professorial series for appointment and promotion of appropriately qualified individuals who participate in the University's research and graduate education program but whose activities shall be limited to participation in projects which involve research or other creative activity of limited duration and operate under grants and contracts. A faculty member on appointment in the professorial series may direct graduate student research. A faculty member on appointment in the special research faculty series shall not have a regularly scheduled teaching assignment. Tenure cannot be earned in any of the research faculty ranks, and service is not applicable toward probationary faculty service if subsequently appointed to a tenure track position. Qualifications are consistent with those for appointment to Assistant Professor.
Appointment is for three years or less contingent on available funding.
Reappointment is contingent upon continuity of funding, the individual's accomplishments, and the needs of the program. Original appointments including rank, salary and other conditions must have approval of the Department Head before an offer is extended. Research Assistant Professors may serve as principal investigators on grants and contracts with approval of the department head. Persons in this rank may direct graduate theses and dissertations and serve on graduate committees consistent with department graduate policy and with the approval of the Department Head and Dean of the Graduate School. Research Associate Professor Persons appointed to this rank are required to have a doctoral degree or terminal degree appropriate to the field.