Research Appointees

This level of appointment is an academic appointment for outstanding doctoral level individuals who participate in the research program of a faculty member, and for whom salary support is generally available from research grants and contracts. Advancement requires high-quality scientific contributions, increasing peer recognition of high-quality scientific accomplishments and participation of research grant support. Appointees in this category are normally full-time salaried employees.

The initial term of appointment for Research Assistant Professors can be made up to three years. The initial term of appointment for Research Associate Professor can be made up to five years. Appointments at the rank of Research Professor are normally made for a term of up to five years.

Guidelines for Research Appointees may be downloaded here.  

Appointment proposal

Advisory review by the BSD Committee on Appointments and Promotions (COAP) is normally not required.  The department will prepare and submit a recommendation for the appointment that is reviewed by OAA for completeness, endorsed by the Dean and submitted to the Provost’s office for approval. The original recommendation should be submitted to OAA. 

Components:

_____Updated CV & personal statements (see RA Compendium)

_____Up to 5 exemplary scholarly works

_____Chair’s letter to Dean, which should include proposed compensation  (see RA Compendium)

_____Signed Attestation of funding availability

_____At least 3 letters of assessment from external or internal referees

_____ Search documentation

  ____copy of ad(s) (showing name of publication and date(s) ran)

           ____search narrative memo 

           ____a printout of the Applicant Log that the website automatically prepares 

           ____a printout of the EEO summary report (if available) 

           ____a printout of the Advertisement Preview or copy of Approved Posting Text

_____ Citizenship form 

_____ Visa documentation: J-1 request   including the English Proficiency Checklist (and required documents) or H-1B Processing Request Form 

_____ Five-point letter if candidate is an M.D.

This level of appointment is an academic appointment for outstanding doctoral level individuals who participate in the research program of a faculty member, and for whom salary support is generally available from research grants and contracts. Advancement requires high-quality scientific contributions, increasing peer recognition of high-quality scientific accomplishments and participation of research grant support.   Appointees in this category are normally full-time salaried employees. Reappointment at the rank of Research Assistant Professor can be made for a term of up to 3 years. Reappointment at the rank of Research Associate Professor can be made for terms of up to 5 years. Reappointment at the rank of Research Professor is made for a term of up to 5 years or is designated "without specified limit of time"; the latter does not require reappointment.

Advisory review by the BSD Committee on Appointments and Promotions (COAP) is normally not required.  The department will prepare and submit a recommendation for the appointment that is reviewed by OAA for completeness, endorsed by the Dean and submitted to the Provost’s office for approval. The original recommendation should be submitted to OAA. 

Guidelines for Research Appointees may be downloaded here.  

Components:

• Updated CV & personal statements (see RA Compendium)
• Up to 5 exemplary scholarly works
• Chair’s letter to Dean.  (see RA Compendium) A complete letter is required every third year at this parenthetical rank.  Chair’s letters for other reappointments may be (not must be) short format; see short form for Research Associate (Assistant Professor).
• Signed Attestation of funding availability
• Visa documentation: J-1 request including the English Proficiency Checklist (and required documents) or H-1B Processing Request Form
• Five-point letter if candidate is an M.D.

 

You may be recommended for promotion to Research Associate Professor or Research Professor as soon as you qualify.

The department will prepare and submit a recommendation for the appointment that is reviewed by OAA for completeness, endorsed by the Dean and submitted to the Provost’s office for approval. 

Promotions Package:

The University of Chicago uses a new system called Interfolio to manage the promotion process. Please review the following candidate guidelines for more information and specific guidance on preparing your materials 

Candidate guidelines for promotion from Research Assistant Professor to Research Associate Professor.

Candidate guidelines for promotion from Research Associate Professor to Research Professor.

Materials include the following:

• Chair’s letter to Dean  (see RA Compendium)
• Signed Attestation of funding availability
• Updated CV & personal statements (see RA Compendium)
• Up to 5 exemplary scholarly works
• Grid of external assessors, their contact information, and rationale for their selection (if not in Chair's letter)
• Letter used to solicit external assessments
• External assessments
• Other concurrences, and documents as customary for a department.  These might include Section Chiefs' letters and reports of internal promotions committees.

Your department will collaborate with you to prepare these materials. 

There is no obligation to promote Research Assistant or Research Associate Professors.

Guidelines for Research Appointees may be downloaded here.  

Documents for use by candidates for appointments, reappointments, and promotions of Research Appointees: Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, and Research Professor– and by those who develop departmental proposals for such actions (AKA RA Compendium)

Research Appointees Grid

Guidelines for Research Appointees