Schedule 6 - UNE Position Classification Standards (Research Only) - Academic Staff

LEVEL A

General Standard

A Level A research-only academic is expected to contribute towards the research effort of the institution and to develop his/her research expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to the particular field of research.

Specific Duties

Specific duties required of a Level A research-only academic may include:

  • The conduct of research under limited supervision either as a member of a team or, where appropriate, independently, and the production or contribution to the production of conference and seminar papers and publications from that research.
  • Involvement in professional activities including, subject to availability of funds, attendance at conferences and seminars in the field of expertise.
  • Limited administrative functions primarily connected with the area of research of the academic.
  • Development of a limited amount of research-related material for teaching or other purposes with appropriate guidance from other staff.
  • Occasional contributions to teaching in relation to his/her research project(s).
  • Experimental design and operation of advanced laboratory and technical equipment or conduct of advanced research procedures.
  • Attendance at meetings associated with research or the work of the organisational unit to which the research is connected and/or at departmental and/or Faculty meetings and/or membership of a limited number of committees.
  • Advice within the field of the employee's research to postgraduate students.

A Level A research-only academic will work with support, guidance and/or direction from staff classified at Level B and above and with an increasing degree of autonomy as the research academic gains in skill and experience.

Skill Base

A Level A research-only academic will normally have completed four years of tertiary study in the relevant discipline or have equivalent qualifications or research experience. In many cases a position at this level will require an honours degree or higher qualifications or equivalent research experience. Research experience may have contributed to or resulted in publications, conference papers, reports or professional or technical contributions which give evidence of research potential.

LEVEL B

General Standard

A Level B research-only academic is expected to carry out independent and/or team research within the field in which he/she is appointed and to carry out activities to develop his/her research expertise relevant to the particular field of research.

Specific Duties

Specific duties required of a Level B research-only academic may include:

  • The conduct of research as a member of a team or independently, and the production of conference and seminar papers and publications from that research.
  • Supervision of research-support staff involved in the employee's research.
  • Guidance in the research effort of junior members of research-only employees in his/her research area.
  • Contribution to the preparation, or where appropriate individual preparation, of research proposal submissions to external funding bodies.
  • Involvement in professional activities including, subject to availability of funds, attendance at conferences and seminars in the field of expertise.
  • Administrative functions primarily concerned with his/her areas of research.
  • Occasional contributions in the teaching program within the field of the employee's research.
  • Co-supervision, or where appropriate supervision, of major honours or postgraduate research projects within the field of the employee's area of research.
  • Attendance at meetings associated with research or the work of the organisational unit to which the research is connected and/or at departmental and/or Faculty meetings and/or membership of a limited number of committees.

Skill Base

A Level B research-only academic will normally have completed a relevant doctoral qualification or have equivalent qualifications or research experience. In addition he/she may be expected to have had post-doctoral research experience which has resulted in publications, conference papers, reports or professional or technical contributions which give evidence of research ability.

LEVEL C

General Standard

A Level C research-only academic is expected to make independent or original contributions to the research effort within his/her field of research expertise and to the organisational unit or inter-disciplinary area of which he/she is part. An academic at this level is expected to play a major role in research including the exercise of some leadership in research.

Specific Duties

Specific duties required of a Level C research-only academic may include:

  • The conduct of research and the production of conference and seminar papers and publications from that research.
  • Supervision of research-support staff and administrative staff involved in the employee's research.
  • Supervision, where appropriate, of the research of less senior research-only employees.
  • Involvement, where appropriate, in the promotion of research links with outside bodies.
  • Preparation of research proposal submissions to external funding bodies.
  • Significant role in research projects including, where appropriate, leadership of research teams or management of projects.
  • Responsibility for the oversight of financial management of grants received for his/her research projects.
  • Involvement in professional activities including, subject to availability of funds, attendance at conferences and seminars in the field of expertise.
  • Occasional contributions to the teaching program within the field of the employee's research.
  • Supervision of major honours or postgraduate research projects within the field of the employee's area of research.
  • Various research-related administrative functions.
  • Attendance at meetings associated with research or the work of the organisational unit to which the research is connected and/or at departmental and/or Faculty meetings and/or membership of a limited number of committees.

Skill Base

A Level C research-only academic will normally have a relevant doctoral qualification or have equivalent accreditation and standing together with subsequent research experience. A position at this level will require a demonstrated strong record of publications, conference papers, reports and/or professional and/or technical contributions in the relevant discipline area.

LEVEL D

General Standard

A Level D research-only academic is expected to make major original contributions to the research enterprise of the area in which he/she is appointed and to play a significant role within their profession or discipline. Academics at this level may be appointed in recognition of marked distinction in their area of their research or scholarship.

Specific Duties

Specific duties required of a Level D research-only academic may include:

  • The conduct of independent research in which the academic may work as part of a team and the production of conference and seminar papers and publications from that research.
  • Supervision of research-support staff and administrative staff.
  • A major role in all aspects of major research projects including management and/or leadership of a large research project or teams.
  • Supervision of the research of less senior research-only employees.
  • Promotion of research links with outside bodies.
  • Preparation of research proposal submissions to external bodies.
  • Involvement in professional activities including, subject to availability of funds, attendance at conferences and seminars in the field of expertise.
  • Occasional contributions to the teaching program within the field of the employee's research.
  • Supervision of major honours or postgraduate research projects.
  • Higher level research-related administrative functions.
  • Some involvement in the development of research policy.
  • Attendance at meetings associated with research or the work of the organisational unit to which the research is connected and/or departmental and/or Faculty meetings and a major role in planning and committee work.
  • Significant contribution to the discipline in which the research efforts of the academic are undertaken.

Skill Base

A Level D research-only academic will normally have the same skill base as a Level C research-only academic. In addition there will be a requirement for academic excellence and outstanding contribution to research and scholarship.

LEVEL E

General Standard

A Level E research-only academic is expected to exercise a special responsibility in providing leadership and in fostering excellence in research in his/her area of research, in the organisation unit, within the institution and within the scholarly and general community.

Specific Duties

Specific duties required of a Level E academic may include:

  • Provision of a continuing high level of personal commitment to and distinguished achievement in a particular area of research or scholarship.
  • Fostering the research of other groups and individuals within the organisational unit and more broadly within the institution.
  • Development of research policy.
  • Preparation of research proposal submissions to external bodies.
  • Responsibility for the oversight of financial management of grants.
  • The conduct of independent research in which the academic may provide leadership within a team and the preparation of conference and seminar papers and publications from that research.
  • Supervision of research and administrative staff and other employees responsible to the Level E research-only academic.
  • Making a distinguished personal contribution to the conduct of research at all levels.
  • Management of large research projects or teams.
  • Developing policy and being involved in administrative matters within the department or other comparable organisational unit and within the institution.
  • Participating in community and professional activities related to his/her disciplinary area, including involvement in commercial and industrial sectors where appropriate.
  • Involvement in professional activities including, subject to availability of funds, attendance at conferences and seminars in the field of expertise.
  • Occasional contributions to the teaching program within the field of the employee's research.
  • Supervision of major honours or postgraduate research projects.
  • Attendance at meetings associated with research or the work of the organisational unit to which the research is connected and/or departmental and/or Faculty meetings and a major role in planning and committee work.

Skill Base

A Level E research-only academic will have the same skill base as a Level D research-only academic but will be recognised as a leading authority in the area of research and scholarship.

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