Santa Clara University

1. Ranks & Qualification

The research staff consists of unclassified employees whose primary responsibility is to engage in research. It includes three ranks:

• Research Assistant: This title shall be used for research staff who do not meet the requirements for appointment at a higher level.
• Research Associate: This title shall be used for research staff who have a doctorate or equivalent research skill and subject knowledge in an appropriate field.
• Senior Research Associate: This title shall be used for research staff who, in addition to meeting the requirements for appointment as a Research Associate, have achieved professional recognition for advanced contributions to their field. Senior Research Associates must have at least six years of related full-time professional experience.

Research staff work under the direction of a faculty member. They are not members of the faculty and are not eligible for tenure.

2. Exclusion of Students

Santa Clara University students who serve as Research Assistants are not considered members of the research staff for the purposes of this policy.

3. Appointment Procedures

Principle Investigators must complete Form SPO-33, Recommendation for research Staff appointment, for any new appointment or promotion of research staff. (see Appendix B) The recommendation of a Principal investigator is subject to approval by the Chair, Dean, and Academic Vice President.

Appointments are ordinarily coterminous with external support and programmatic need. Research staff must be informed of the sponsors and termination dates of the grants and contracts under which they are paid.

4. Compensation

Although formal salary ranges do not apply to research staff, base compensation should be comparable to that of faculty in related fields who have similar qualifications and experience. The recommendation of a Principal Investigator is subject to approval by the Chair, Dean, and Academic Vice President.

5. Performance Appraisal

Principle Investigators shall formally evaluate the performance of research staff at least once a year. The Performance appraisal Form designed for non-professorial staff may be used for this purpose. If this form is not appropriate, a detailed written evaluation may be used instead, provided that it includes a summary rating on the same scale.

6. Support Between Contracts

Under certain circumstances, the University my provide salary support for research staff after the expiration of a grant or contract. The following conditions apply:

• Research staff become eligible for such support only after one year of full time service.
• Research staff accrue one month of potential support for each year of full-time service, up to a maximum of three months.
• A candidate for such support must demonstrate that his or her continued employment is critical to a University research program.
• The approval of the Principal Investigator, Chair, and Dean is required.
• Support should be provided by department or school funds. University funds will be provided only in exceptional circumstances with the approval of the Academic Vice President.

7. Principal Investigatorship

The opportunity to serve as a Principal Investigator is reserved to members of the faculty as defined in the Faculty Handbook. Exceptions to this policy will be made only if the proposed project meets all the following conditions:

• The project is critical to the research program of an academic department.
• No member of the faculty is both qualified and available to serve as Principal Investigator.
• The appropriate Chair, Dean, and Academic Vice President approve the exception.

8. Rights & Benefits

Unless otherwise specified herein, research staff are subject to all personnel policies applicable to exempt staff and administrative personnel of the University.