- Created by Karla A Steffen, last modified on Jan 25, 2024
General information - paid titles
- All Research titles fall under the authority of the Office of the Vice President (VP) for Research. Research titles are paid positions (as opposed to unpaid Research Affiliates). Review Procedures for Research Titles PDF on the Office of the VP for Research site for descriptions of different titles, information, and procedures for processing Research assignments.
- Paid research titles include both regular (ongoing) and temporary statuses. Review Research Titles at a Glance and the proposed affiliate's current CV carefully to determine the most appropriate title. Pay careful attention to their highest-completed degree and date of completion.
- Be aware that some research titles are eligible for automatic Principal Investigator (PI) status, and others are subject to approval from the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP). Review OSP’s PI Eligibility Administrative Procedures for details and instructions.
- Performance evaluations are required for all paid research titles. See “Evaluation” column of Research Titles at a Glance for details.
- Full-time status required unless an exception is approved by APS. Email EVPP-APS@austin.utexas.edu and detail reason for exception request. If exception is granted, add approver name and date to comments of Workday business process.
- If you do not see an appropriate title below or if you have additional research questions or need information, reach out to your COERA specialist.
Research faculty vs. research staff
The key distinction is evidence of engagement with the academic enterprise through teaching, mentorship, or supervision of students at some level.
For information on research staff, see COE: Hiring Research Faculty.
Research titles
Permanent research job profiles
- Supervisory Organization: PM preferred
- Duration of assignment: One year minimum
- Recruiting: Required, unless granted a prior exception by Academic Personnel Services (APS); Process a Workday Job Requisition
- Recruiting exceptions:
- May be requested in advance from APS
- Email justification for request and qualifications of intended hire to evpp-aps@utexas.edu
- If approved, process Create Position in the appropriate PM supervisory organization, and note approval in comments: "Recruiting exception approved by APS on MM/DD/YYYY."
Permanent Research Title | Qualifications |
---|---|
Senior Research Scientist Senior Research Engineer | Documentation of research accomplishments and professional experience equivalent to that of a full professor, including supervision of research programs/projects as a PI. "Engineer" title requires registration as a professional engineer in the state of Texas. |
Research Scientist Research Engineer | Documentation of research accomplishments and professional experience equivalent to that of an established assistant professor or new associate professor. Must have established career as a mature, independent research scientist/engineer. |
Research Associate | Qualifications comparable to an assistant professor. Professional qualifications to conduct independent research and potential to become an established researcher. Documentation of professional credentials and accomplishments along with copies of job posting and offer letter. |
Senior Engineering Scientist | Highly qualified in their field, but do not hold a terminal degree in their discipline. Bachelor's degree minimum with 10 years of applicable experience. |
Temporary research job profiles
- Supervisory Organization: JM
- Duration of assignment:
- Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow: One year minimum, renewable for up to three years
- Postdoctoral Fellow: Assignments are for period of one year but may be renewed on an annual basis up to a maximum of five years.
- Recruiting:
- Optional. Workday Job Requisition required if recruiting.
- If not recruiting, Create Position in appropriate JM supervisory organization.
Temporary Research Title | Qualifications |
---|---|
Postdoctoral Fellow | PhD, within three years of completion. (Note: Please refer Postdoctoral Fellows to the Postdoctoral Services and Professional Development web site for valuable resources.) |
Senior Research Fellow Research Fellow | PhD received more than 3 years ago. Used for: 1) Visiting scientist/engineer regularly based at another institution/industry, who plans to return after a limited stay at UT. 2) Visiting scientist/engineer invited to collaborate on UT-sponsored activities and who is established professionally in their field 3) Temporary research assignment for individuals whose primary assignment is as member of NTT faculty at UT (exception to time-limitation) 4) Temporary positions that do not fit other categories due to limited duration or hours per week position is needed, or limited funding 5) Bridging an assignment into a Postdoctoral Fellow position prior to receipt of the PhD |
Workday processing notes - paid titles
Create Job Requisition/Create Position
- "Required Qualifications":
- Postdocs, add “PhD must have been received with the past three years.”
- (Senior) Research Fellows, add "PhD must have been received more than three years ago."
- Remove “Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.” PhD is required for postdoc and (Senior) Research Fellow titles.
- "Required Qualifications":
Hire
- Upload the most current CV and offer letter to the Workday Hire business process.
- In the comments, add the following:
Initial (S)RF/PDF assignment (was in YYYY-YY). PhD received in YYYY from XX University, State (and Country if outside U.S.). Assignment is expected to continue for X years. Country of citizenship is XX. Background check results clear as of MM/DD/YYYY.
- RF = Research Fellow; SRF = Senior Research Fellow; PDF = Postdoctoral Fellow
- "Initial assignment" refers to the date the scholar was first appointed in this title. If this is the first assignment, just comment "Initial (S)RF/PDF assignment." If this is a renewal, use the beginning date of the initial assignment.
- If scholar is ABD but PhD has not been awarded by the time of Workday processing, but will have been by time of assignment start, add notes: (Name) has completed all the requirements for his/her PhD through the (University Name) program. His/her official graduation date is MM/DD/YYYY.
- "Initial assignment" refers to the date the scholar was first appointed in this title. If this is the first assignment, just comment "Initial (S)RF/PDF assignment." If this is a renewal, use the beginning date of the initial assignment.
General information - unpaid titles
The designation “Research Affiliate” is a privilege accorded to nonemployee researchers or scholars temporarily in residence at The University of Texas at Austin. See VPR: Nonemployee (Unpaid) Research Affiliates (Visiting Researchers and Scholars) for guidelines and instructions on the nomination process necessary for granting facilities access to both U.S. and international visitors. This is the first step in inviting these individuals to our campus.
Currently-enrolled students (UT or otherwise) who will participate in research activities at the University but will not be compensated should usually be assigned as “Visiting Student.” Research Affiliate procedures do not apply to Visiting Students.
Some but not all Research Affiliate titles are eligible for co-PI status; discuss with the sponsoring faculty member whether this will be needed, and whether the scholar will qualify.
All Research titles fall under the authority of the Office of the Vice President (VP) for Research.
For UT privileges options for research affiliates, see Privileges Available for Nonemployees (updateable in Workday).
Process - unpaid titles
Follow all steps at VPR: Nonemployee (Unpaid) Research Affiliates (Visiting Researchers and Scholars).
Research affiliate appointments also require that the department conduct a check in the Visual Compliance system. Confirmation of this check should be noted in the Workday business process comments - see "Workday processing notes" below.
Visiting Researcher/Scholar additional information:
Research Affiliate titles
Which title should be used?
Review HOP 7-1020: Research Titles and the proposed affiliate's current CV carefully to determine the most appropriate title. Pay careful attention to their highest-completed degree and date of completion.
The title "Other University Affiliate" should be avoided.
The most commonly-used Research Affiliate titles are described below. If you do not see an appropriate title below or if you have additional research questions or need information, reach out to your COERA specialist.
Research Affiliate Title | Qualifications | Duration of assignment |
---|---|---|
Research Affiliate Postdoctoral (A010) | PhD degree, within three years of completion. Typically recruited by a member of the UT faculty to further the university's research endeavors. (Note: Please refer Postdoctoral Fellows to the Postdoctoral Services and Professional Development web site for valuable resources.) | Assignments are for periods of one year, but may be renewed on an annual basis up to a maximum of five years. |
Research Affiliate Research Fellow (A011) Research Affiliate Senior Research Fellow (A012) | Specific title used reflects home institution position. Has been invited to collaborate on UT-sponsored activities. Received PhD more than three years ago. | No time limit, but the initial assignment should be for no more than two years, with renewals at two-year intervals. |
Research Affiliate - Visiting Scholar/Researcher (A006) | For visitors seeking to pursue individually-defined research or scholarly activities on UT campus. Typically a doctoral candidate or graduate student at another institution. | Assignments are for periods of two weeks to one year, but may be renewed on an annual basis. |
See also:
- Research Titles at a Glance
- Workday: Nonemployee Guidance - Nonemployee Matrix (pages 3-4)
- HRMS: University Affiliate Types
Workday processing notes - unpaid titles
- An account number for incidental expenses is required for all university affiliate positions. Incidental expenses include, but are not limited to, background checks and University ID cards.
- Upload the most current CV, offer letter, and signed Nonemployee Research Affiliate Agreement to the Workday business process.
- In the comments of the Workday business process, add the following:
Initial (S)RF/PDF assignment (was in YYYY-YY). PhD received in YYYY from XX University, State (and Country if outside U.S.). Assignment is expected to continue for X years. Permanent place of employment is XX (if applicable). Country of citizenship is XX. Visual Compliance check completed by (Staff Name) on MM/DD/YYYY (if applicable - Visiting Researcher/Scholars only). Background check results clear as of MM/DD/YYYY.
- RF = Research Fellow; SRF = Senior Research Fellow; PDF = Postdoctoral Fellow
- "Initial assignment" refers to the date the scholar was first appointed in this title. If this is the first assignment, just comment "Initial (S)RF/PDF assignment." If this is a renewal, use the beginning date of the initial assignment.
- If scholar is ABD but PhD has not been awarded by the time of Workday processing, but will have been by time of assignment start, add notes: (Name) has completed all the requirements for his/her PhD through the (University Name) program. His/her official graduation date is MM/DD/YYYY.
- "Initial assignment" refers to the date the scholar was first appointed in this title. If this is the first assignment, just comment "Initial (S)RF/PDF assignment." If this is a renewal, use the beginning date of the initial assignment.
Additional resources
Please send suggested additions to this page and notifications about broken links to COE-HR@austin.utexas.edu.
Contributors to this page (Name, number of updates, most recent update):
APS: Recruitment Requirements for Research Staff PDF
College of Education Research Administration (COERA)
HR Benefits: Research Affiliate Postdocs
PI Eligibility Administrative Procedures
Procedures for Research Titles PDF
Research Staff Recruiting & Job Requisition Requirements
VPR: Research Titles at a Glance
VPR: Visiting Researchers and Scholars
- No labels