Policy Statement

In order to increase the quality, quantity, and productivity of research grants and contracts, a category of professional employees entitled "research faculty" has been established by Drexel University. Individuals with outstanding research experience and credentials are appointed as research faculty by the Vice Provost for Research and Dean for Graduate Policy. The primary function of research staff is to acquire and conduct sponsored research. Institutes, centers, colleges, and departments may employ research staff. Generally, research faculty are supported entirely by externally funded grants or contracts, and only in rare cases will institutional funds be available for support. Research conducted by these individuals is to be of the highest quality to continue to advance Drexel University as a research focused institution. External funding provided through these grants and contracts provides stipends for graduate students, fund for the purchase of research equipment, and the addition of individuals of unique expertise. Research faculty are professional employees who hold non-tenure track positions. Research faculty appointments must be made in compliance with the university affirmative action and equal opportunity policies.

Appointments

A department head or unit administrator may request through normal university channels to the Vice Provost for Research and Dean for Graduate Policy, the appointment of an individual to the research faculty. The request should contain an assessment of the individual's capabilities of raising external support and identification of what unique expertise and/or capabilities this individual brings to the department or unit.

In addition, the Vice Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Policy can approve a qualified appointee the right to serve as advisor to graduate students.

The Vice Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Policy will appoint the individual upon review using normal procedures for the appointment of soft money employees. Appointments can be made at the ranks shown below. All reference to these appointees, formal or informal, written or oral, shall use the term "research" in the title. Appointments will be made for a time period that reflects the contract period of the initial grant or contract from which the appointee is paid, but must be renewed annually.

Categories:

1. Research Professor/Senior Research Scientist/Senior Research Engineer
   Normally requires the equivalent of a Ph.D. in a related field with substantial experience, evidence of high quality research and productivity, as evidenced by books, patents, articles, published in refereed or comparable journals, listing in a citation index where appropriate, plus a national and international reputation as evidenced by active participation in prestigious advisory boards and professional societies.

2. Research Associate Professor/Associate Research Scientist/Associate Research Engineer
   Normally requires the equivalent of a Ph.D. in a related field with experience, plus a national reputation and evidence of quality and productivity, as evidenced by books, articles in refereed journals or patents that demonstrate a successful level of performance normally associated with a mid-level career.

3. Research Assistant Professor/Assistant Research Scientist/Assistant Research Engineer
   Normally requires the equivalent of a PhD. in a related field and demonstrates a successful the level of performance normally associated with the beginning of a career in research.