Research faculty

The Research Faculty shall consist of those faculty whose major function is to conduct research in the academic units, centers and institutes of the university and who hold the title of research professor, research associate professor, or research assistant professor. They typically serve as principal investigators on grants or contracts administered by the university. Research faculty must have an affiliation with a department or academic unit but shall not hold tenured or tenure-earning appointments, and shall not be counted toward a department's representation in the Faculty Senate. The extent of voting privileges shall be determined by the host department or academic unit.

The criteria for each of the titles are as follows:

• Research assistant professor. Appointment to the title of research assistant professor requires completion of professional training, in most fields marked by the doctoral degree, and the clear promise of a successful career in research or artistic achievement.
• Research associate professor. Appointment to the title of research associate professor normally requires a record of substantial success in research or artistic achievements including grant funding and publications.
• Research professor. Appointment to the title of research professor requires a tangible record of research or artistic achievements and recognition as a scholar within her/his professional field.

Although research faculty support and conduct research for projects and programs that receive extramural funding, they may teach courses as needed and receive up to twenty-five percent of their salary from instructional sources if granted adjunct status by their academic unit or department. Department chairs may use flexibility when scheduling courses of research faculty so as to accommodate their research obligations.

Research faculty status will be recommended for those faculty who are needed to support research projects and programs sponsored by the university. The faculty sponsor or supervisor will submit recommendations for appointment to the department chair or director. Upon approval by the chair or director, the recommendation will be processed according to university and departmental or unit hiring policies. Appointments for research faculty will be issued for a definite period of time specified in the letter of appointment that will also specify title, salary, and full-time or part time status. The university does not guarantee it will provide space, facilities or services beyond those approved for currently active grants. Annual review of research faculty will be conducted by the supervisor and chair or director. Research faculty may be considered for promotion following a timetable and policies to be established by the Faculty Senate.

Research faculty will be eligible to hold graduate faculty status based on the criteria of the host department or academic unit.

Research faculty members with a minimum of five uninterrupted years of service at UNCW are entitled to one month's notice with pay for each year of full-time continuous service as a research faculty member. The host department or academic unit or center will be responsible for arranging the bridge funding. A maximum of twelve months of pay for twelve or more years of service will be provided. Support will begin upon the termination of grant support. The research faculty member will be assigned duties during the notice period and such pay will cease upon the availability of other grant support at the university or acceptance of employment elsewhere. Notice so used may be re-earned at the rate of one month per year up to the maximum of twelve months.

[The category of research faculty was created by the Faculty Senate 8/01.]