Pathway 2 - Role Profile Level d

Senior Research Fellow (including the title Associate Professor) (Grade L)

This profile assumes that all the qualifications, skills and experiences required of a Level C researcher have been acquired.  It also assumes that the responsibilities of a Level C researcher will have been fulfilled satisfactorily.  Only the additional requirements are spelled out below.

For those applying for promotion to Associate Professor, another key requirement is that they evidence progress towards meeting the relevant professorial role profile. 

Role Summary

  1. Role holders at this level will have extensive experience in research and research management.
  2. They will normally be Principal Investigators, leading collaborative research bids and research teams or driving forward innovative research themselves.
  3. They will be involved in scholastic projects (e.g. editing journals and academic books), and be making a significant leadership and/or management contribution within their school or the wider University, and be participating in national/international academic networks and conferences.
  4. They may be transferring their knowledge through some teaching and/or supervision to undergraduate or graduate students (consonant with the terms of their funding).
  5. Role holders at this level will be independent researchers and will have an established national and growing international reputation within their academic discipline generally and research field in particular.

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Qualifications, skills and experience needed for appointment/promotion to Level d

  1. An international reputation for the quality of their research work with evidence of a clear upwards trajectory.
  2. Extensive experience of successfully initiating, designing and implementing research projects.
  3. Evidence of their effective support for less experienced researchers (e.g. through mentoring, group leadership, providing encouragement to others within an area of research).
  4. Collaborations with scholars outside the School and University.  

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Responsibilities

  1. Independently and proactively identify research projects to be carried out individually or with collaborative partners.
  2. Take responsibility, either individually or in collaboration with others, for preparing bids for research funding.
  3. Oversee and manage research projects, providing leadership, resolving disagreements within the team, and taking responsibility for their overall success.
  4. Take a leading role in the international dissemination of research findings, taking primary responsibility for the writing up of research for publication and exploring opportunities to demonstrate the impact of your research.
  5. Be lead author of publications that are of international quality.
  6. Help to create networks of researchers and opportunities for less experienced colleagues, advising them on possible sources of research funding, providing expert advice on their projects, and generally overseeing the development of their careers.
  7. Take an active role within specialist networks outside the University and contribute their expertise to the wider academic community.
  8. Actively participate in the development of the School’s research strategy, making a significant contribution to its research reputation and income.
  9. Develop effective activities to achieve engagement with research, and/or impact beyond academia.
  10. Where appropriate, take a leading role in developing entrepreneurial or collaborative links either with external organisations or with in-house companies.
  11. Consistently act as a good citizen, actively taking on administrative duties and participating fully in the daily working life of the School, behaving as a role model for others.
  12. Operate as a role model and contribute to the professional development of other staff.
  13. Contribute effectively to School planning and development processes, including decisions on resource application.
  14. Take on and deliver specific leadership roles within the School or Faculty.
  15. Be knowledgeable about, and play a part in, wider University structures beyond the School (e.g. on faculty committees, membership of Senate).
  16. Effectively represent the School in external relations as required.
  17. Participate, as appropriate, as a subject expert in consultancy and advisory arrangements, and/or legal proceedings.
  18. May undertake some teaching relevant to their specialism.
  19. Engage effectively in the University’s Staff Review and Development process, potentially as a reviewer as well as a reviewee, and ongoing continuing professional development. This may include engagement with the University’s CREATE scheme or Health Professions Education programme. 

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Relationships and Contacts

  1. Will have an identified line manager, normally the Head of School (or Primary Unit).
  2. Will have direct line management responsibility for some research staff, and often some technical/professional services staff, and will often be responsible for their Staff Review and Development and may be involved in disciplinary and grievance procedures where appropriate.
  3. Will interrelate with all academic staff in their School and many of the professional services staff, and with relevant parts of the Faculty and wider University.
  4. Will play an active part in their national discipline groups and possibly in the operation of the appropriate Research Council(s) or other funding bodies.

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