Research Investigator

The University has established a maximum time-in-rank policy for the rank of Research Investigator. A review must take place during the third (Med School) or fourth (all other Units) year. After a Research Investigator has been in this position for four years without promotion, the appointing unit must move him/her out of the rank in one of the ways described below.

In the event that the candidate is not qualified for promotion, the unit has two options, as described below, contingent on the approval of the designated authority (see Appointment Authority).

1. If the unit decides to continue to employ the candidate, the unit may appoint him/her to an appropriate staff position.
2. If the unit decides to terminate the candidate, it must provide appropriate notice to him/her of this decision. The terminal time period must be a minimum of 90 days and may be as long as one year.

The maximum time-in-rank parameters described above apply to all Research Investigators with appointment fractions greater than 80% effort averaged over the four years in rank.

For Research Investigators with less than 80% effort averaged over the four years in rank, units must conduct a complete review during the candidate’s fourth year in rank to determine whether the candidate is making sufficient progress for promotion to Assistant Research Scientist. If, based on the review, the appointing unit decides the Research Investigator’s progress warrants a continuation in rank, the unit may re-appoint the Research Investigator for up to two more years, contingent on the approval of OVPR.

To ensure newly appointed Research Investigators are aware of the maximum time-in-rank policy, OVPR requires all hiring units to include a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) that includes a statement about this policy as part of the appointment offer.