Research Associate Professor

Position

Research Associate Professors are academics who make significant contributions to research at the University and play a significant role within their profession or discipline.  A position at this level will normally require an outstanding record of demonstrable scholarly and professional achievement in the relevant discipline area.  In addition there is a requirement for academic excellence which should be evidenced by an outstanding contribution to research. Research Associate Professors may be involved in commercial research activities and may be involved in knowledge-transfer to industry and/or the community.

Research Associate Professors contribute to University planning and/or governance and serve the relevant profession and/or academic discipline and contribute to the wider community

It is expected that academic staff will be routinely at work on campus so they are available to assist students and for students to see the University as a place of active scholarship.

Expectations

Teaching, assessment and curriculum development

Research Associate Professors may be involved in attracting and successfully supervising postgraduate students.

Research and/or commercialisation of research and/or advancing professional practice and scholarship activities

It is expected that Research Associate Professors:

1. demonstrate outstanding leadership in research, publication and/or leadership and exceptional ability and original thought in professional practice relevant to the particular discipline resulting in advancing knowledge within the profession/discipline
2. obtain research funding, being awarded nationally or internationally competitive external research grants and/or being awarded grants from industry
3. produce quality assured publications within the field or discipline, either individually or as part of a group resulting in advancing knowledge within the profession/discipline
4. provide leadership in the development and implementation of methods of quality assurance in research
5. have international standing in the advancement of knowledge and/or professional practice
6. make a significant contribution to the research environment
7. contribute to the advancement of artistic practice through performances as soloists or directors, as evidenced by published scholarly or critical reviews by acknowledged experts in their fields (if they are performance staff)

Meeting these objectives will be demonstrated by:

1. awarded significant research related prizes, awards, honours or fellowships
2. attending and presenting papers at academic conferences, both nationally and internationally
3. attending and presenting at national hui or wānanga and/or international indigenous conferences
4. forming effective research collaborations within the Department, School, Division, or outside the University.  Collaborations outside the University may be within the community, regional, national and/or international
5. engaging in scholarly activities including editing journals and other publications, membership of an editorial board,  acting as a referee
6. demonstrating outstanding leadership in the generation of collaborative research programmes within the University and/or with external bodies such as industry and other tertiary institutions
7. mentoring the development of research students and new and emerging researchers
8. contributing to the development of significant new insights by the application of existing or new knowledge to the problems of society
9. making scholarly contributions to the advancement of professional practice, where appropriate
10. contributing to the commercialisation of research (new intellectual property, products and services; knowledge-transfer)
11. undertaking roles on government, iwi bodies or industry commissions, and/or receiving requests to run information or training sessions for the government, iwi bodies, professions or industries
12. having a recognised leadership role in their iwi, hapū or Māori community

Service to the University and the community

It is expected that Research Associate Professors:

1. take leadership roles in the administration of their Department or School, and take a leadership role in University planning and/or governance related to research
2. represent the Department through contributions to committees, working parties etc within the Division, or the wider University (including the Māori Strategic Framework)

Meeting these objectives will be demonstrated by:

1. fostering collegiality within the Department/School
2. sharing knowledge with the community outside the University and contributing to local and national communities through involvement in the development of policy, practice, and cultural activities (eg: this includes iwi/Māori development)
3. having service contributions of significance and distinction that are recognised as such by the University, if they have been in the role for several years
4. contributing to the profession/discipline and/or making relevant contributions to the community.  The contribution should be of great significance and distinction and recognised as such throughout the University
5. making a contribution to help the University achieve its academic goals including those identified in the Māori Strategic Framework and the strategic imperatives identified in the Strategic Direction to 2012 (eg: holding an Associate Dean role)
6. transferring knowledge and technology to the community, industry or commerce, as appropriate
7. providing academic and professional service and advice to the community

Other

It is expected that Research Associate Professors:

1. take an active interest in the activities relating to the Department
2. meet all compliance and reporting requirements
3. work collegially with staff and students in the Department, School, Division and the University

Employment Conditions

Requirements

• Advanced qualifications and/or recognised significant experience in the relevant discipline area.  A position at this level will normally require a doctoral qualification or equivalent accreditation and standing.
• For clinical positions within the Health Sciences Division it is normally expected the individual is registered with the appropriate registering body.
• Demonstrated capacity for independent research and an excellent record of publications in refereed journals.
• May be transferring knowledge to the community and industry for the development of products and services that benefit society.

Authority to appoint

The Staffing Advisory Committee approves the appointment of Research Associate Professors. The Committee is convened by the Vice-Chancellor and chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

Find out more about authority to appoint academic staff

Confirmation path

Not eligible

Salary scale

• Associate Professorial scale (Non Medical/Dental) (steps 1 to 5)
• Associate Professorial scale (Medical/Dental) (steps 1 to 5)

View all salary scales

Performance and salary review

Biennial review of performance and salary

Find out more about performance and salary review

Promotion

Research Associate Professors may apply for promotion to:

• Research Professors

Find out more about promotion

Research and study leave

Eligible with more than four years' continuous service

Find out more about research and study leave

Employment agreements

Research Associate Professors usually are covered by the:

• Academic Staff Collective Employment Agreement or
• Academic Staff Individual Employment Agreement

View all employment agreements

Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF)

Evidence portfolio required

Visit the Research Integrity Office to find out more about the PBRF

Other information

The title of Professorial Research Fellow is no longer offered at the University of Otago.  Existing staff may continue to hold the title.

Useful information

• Conference leave policy
• Support for teaching
• Support for research
• Support for commercialisation of research