Employment and Benefits Policies Guidance for UNH Research Faculty

• Definition: Research Faculty are those who have research as their principal assignment.  Research Faculty typically are supported by a variety of mechanisms (internal and external sources), however, the majority of salary support (greater than 50%) is derived from grant and contract funds obtained by the research faculty member.  Research Faculty are not eligible for tenure.

• Affirmative Action policies are followed in appointing Research Faculty.  Unless the person to be appointed is a prominent scientist who will be the project director of the external grant or contract, advertising and competitive selection is required.

• Appointments are 75% time or more for a minimum of 1 year with a funding plan and normally are made to an existing department. Appointments may be for a 9-month academic year (AY) or 12-month fiscal year (FY). They require the approval of the faculty in that department in accordance with their bylaws and the concurrence of the appropriate dean(s) and the Senior Vice Provost for Research. Research Faculty are granted academic rank within the department or program by the President upon recommendation of the Provost.

• In consultation with and approval from the dean and/or University Institute director, Research Faculty may select an appointment period (9 months or 12 months) once every three (3) years.  This limitation provides stability to both the faculty member and to his/her department or center, and reduces the administrative overhead involved in changing appointments.

• Employees, including Research Faculty, whose appointment falls below 75% time will experience reductions in their level of benefits coverage.

• UNH supports joint faculty appointments, including intercollege appointments.  A joint faculty appointment is one in which a faculty member’s appointment is shared between a home unit and another unit: department, program, center, or institute. 

        See: http://www.unh.edu/provost/sites/unh.edu.provost/files/docs/jointfacultyappointments1.pdf

• Appointments are renewed annually for Research Assistant Professors and may be renewed for up to five years for senior faculty with a funding plan.  They may be renewed only if continued external funding is assured.  Some units have established procedures and schedules for the reappointment process; Research Faculty should contact their dean/director’s office regarding the reappointment process.

• The three ranks of Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, and Research Professor parallel their tenure-track counterparts.  However, research is the primary focus of the candidate.

  • A Research Assistant Professor shall have completed formal advanced study appropriate to his/her field; demonstrated success in carrying out externally funded research; be capable of advising graduate students; and have provided some service to the University and profession.

  • A Research Associate Professor shall have completed formal advanced study; had several years of successful research experience; have shown clear evidence of his/her ability to conceive and perform independent research and to obtain external funding for his/her research; supported and advised graduate students; and have provided some service to the University and profession.

  • A Research Professor shall have a background of successful research, marked by maturity and experience that has earned him/her a national/international reputation in the field; have supported and advised graduate students; and have provided service to the University and profession.