Officers of Research

Introduction

Officers of Research are engaged in scholarly work but are not required to have instructional responsibilities within the University. There are two faculty level categories of Officers of Research, Professional and Staff. Each of the Professional grades corresponds to one of the Officer of Instruction academic ranks in the Investigator focus with respect to guidelines for appointment and promotion except for the Educational Portfolio requirements (e.g. the Research Scientist grade is equivalent to an Associate Professor).

The several grades within each category are described below.

Professional Grades

Senior Research Scientist

Officers whose qualifications and contributions to their fields of research are equivalent to those of Professor in the Investigator focus (except for Educational Portfolio).

Research Scientist

Officers whose qualifications and contributions to their fields of research are equivalent to those of an Associate Professor in the Investigator focus (except for Educational Portfolio).

Associate Research Scientist

Junior officers whose qualifications are equivalent to those of Assistant Professor in the Investigator focus (except for Educational Portfolio).

Staff Grades

Senior Staff Associate

An officer holding a bachelor's or higher degree who has had at least eight years of professional experience in his or her field. The senior rank is not assigned automatically upon completion of eight years of professional experience. Other considerations, including professional accomplishments and the degree of independence and level of responsibility of one's position, are taken into account in making an appointment at this grade

Staff Associate

An officer holding a bachelor's or higher degree who has had at least four years of professional experience in his or her field

Postdoctoral Researchers

Postdoctoral researchers can also be given appointments as officers of research. For more information see the postdoctoral section of faculty manual.

For more information about Officers of Research, go to the CU Faculty Handbook.