Non-Tenure-Track Professional Advancement Policy

Note: A PDF copy of this document with signatures can be downloaded by clicking this link. 

MSU College of Agriculture/Montana Agricultural Experiment Station Department of Research Centers

Introduction

The Department of Research Centers (DRC), created in 1994, represents the faculty and staff who conduct research and outreach programs at seven off-campus research centers that form the nucleus of a statewide cooperative agriculture research system in Montana. The seven research centers are: the Central Agricultural Research Center (CARC) near Moccasin; the Eastern Agricultural Research Center (EARC) at Sidney; the Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC) near Havre; the Northwestern Agricultural Research Center (NWARC) near Kalispell; the Southern Agricultural Research Center (SARC) near Huntley; the Western Agricultural Research Center (WARC) at Corvallis; and the Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center (WTARC) near Conrad. 

Research centers are located in unique environments to serve the specific needs of agricultural clientele in local production areas and the broader needs of Montana agriculture in general. The DRC addresses the practical problems of agricultural production and resource management through programs of basic and applied research, with an emphasis on application. 

Department Mission and Goals

The DRC conducts research and educational programs addressing agricultural issues throughout the state of Montana as part of the MAES land grant mission "to conduct and promote studies, scientific investigations and experiments relating to agriculture, natural resources and rural life and to diffuse information, thereby acquired, among the people of Montana." The DRC offers its faculty unique academic opportunities to conduct research in distinct environments and cropping regions, to interact with agricultural clientele in identifying pertinent research problems and in developing research programs of topical relevance to Montana's diverse agriculture. New knowledge generated by DRC programs benefits Montana agriculture and the scientific community at the local, state and national levels.

Uniquely MSU

The DRC in the College of Agriculture at MSU is a unique institution in its own right. No other land grant university possesses an academic department solely dedicated to a faculty of diverse scientific disciplines who share a common mission: the generation of new knowledge and tools for the benefit of Montana's agriculture derived exclusively from off-campus research programs. 

DRC Policy Governing Advancement of Professional Research Appointments

Proposed: June 13, 2016
Adopted: September 16, 2016

The MSU Faculty Handbook (FH) sections 340-344, inclusive, define position titles currently associated with non-tenure-track research appointments at Montana State University. This document shall serve as department policy for the advancement of individuals currently residing in the DRC in the capacity of these specific titles as required by FH sections 341.02 and 342.02, as well as define the advancement of individuals serving in titles defined in FH sections 343 and 344, as ratified by majority vote of the tenurable faculty residing in the department and approved by the Dean/Director of the College of Agriculture/Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. This policy document shall not define nor be construed as DRC policy regarding the initial application of non-tenure-track research appointments applied at "time of hire."

The four categories and associated ranks within categories defining position titles pertinent to the DRC faculty and staff as defined by FH section 340-344 include:

1. Research Professionals with academic responsibilities (aka Research Faculty) (Non-tenure-track, Faculty)
   1. Research Professor
   2. Associate Research Professor
   3. Assistant Research Professor
2. Research Professionals (Non-tenure-track, non-faculty)
   1. Senior Research Scientist
   2. Research Scientist
3. Postdoctoral Research Associate (Non-tenure-track, non-faculty)
   1. No ranks within category
4. Research Associate (Non-tenure-track, non-faculty)
   1. No ranks within category

Professional Position Chart

Position advancement: Advancement from Research Associate/Post-Doctoral Research Associate to Research Scientist, and from Research Scientist to Senior Research Scientist does not require faculty vote. Advancement from Assistant Research Professor to Associate Research Professor and to Research Professor does require faculty approval through the DRC Promotion & Tenure Committee. 

Advancement within Non-Tenure-Track Non-Faculty Titles of the DRC

Individuals currently reappointed from term-to-term as a Research Associate or as a Postdoctoral Research Associate may advance to the rank of Research Scientist. Individuals currently reappointed from term-to-term as a Research Scientist may advance to the rank of Senior Research Scientist. 

Individuals being considered for advancement must have:

1. Possess a Masters or terminal degree within an appropriate scientific field;
2. Be actively involved in scientific research and demonstrate the ability to carry out research duties as a research scientist; and
3. Have served for a minimum of one full term within their current rank within the DRC

Advancement shall not be based on time in rank alone, but shall require a "record of significant, extensive and progressively responsible research experience," (MSU Recruitment & Hiring Handbook, Office of Institutional Equity). Advancement shall be proposed by the responsible DRC faculty member/supervisor by submitting a signed Letter of Appointment - Modification form to the Head of the DRC. Departmental approval or denial for such proposal is strictly the responsibility of the DRC Department Head, who may approve or deny the proposed advancement. Once approved by the DRC Department Head, the proposed advancement must subsequently be approved by the Dean of the College of Agriculture and the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED). Any differential salary and benefit costs incurred by such advancement shall be covered by appropriate external grants, and/or MAES funds provided at the discretion of the MAES Director. 

Advancement from a Non-Tenure-Track Non-Faculty Title to Research Faculty

Under current VPRED policy, individuals reappointed term-to-term as Research Associates or as Postdoctoral Research Associates cannot serve as principal investigators, which precludes advancement to a Research Faculty rank. Individuals currently reappointed from term-to-term as a Research Scientist or as a Senior Research Scientist may advance to the entry level Research Faculty rank of Assistant Research Professor. 

Individuals being considered for advancement must:

1. Possess a terminal degree within an appropriate scientific field;
2. Be actively involved in scientific research, demonstrating the promised effectiveness in research; and
3. Have served for a minimum of three (3) consecutive terms within their current rank within the DRC.

Advancement shall not be based on time in rank alone. FH Section 341.02 states consideration for such advancement shall be "in accordance with department policies and procedures comparable to the research criteria and standards for tenurable faculty," which are defined by the current "Role, Scope, Criteria, Standards and Procedures for the Formal Review of Faculty," of the DRC (RSCSP, 2006).

The individual shall submit to the DRC Department Head a summary of research activities and accomplishments as outlined in the departmental criteria (adapted from RSCSP Section 212.3): 

1. Relevance of research to Montana agriculture;
2. Leadership and collaboration in research program development;
3. Publication in peer-reviewed journals and other appropriate media;
4. Presentation of research at professional meetings;
5. Preparation and submission of research proposals;
6. Receipt of extramural funding for research; and
7. Receipt of research awards and other forms of recognition.

Critical research pertinent to Montana agriculture must be identified, within the scope of their individual role statements and areas of expertise. The application must include a cover letter by the responsible DRC faculty member/supervisor to the DRC Department Head requesting consideration for advancement to Assistant Research Professor, a personal statement, an updated vita and two examples of publications that represent his/her best work. Internal review of research activity is required for advancement to Assistant Research Professor.  The department head will solicit confidential reviews from three individuals among tenurable faculty within the College of Agriculture; provide them with the appropriate DRC criteria and standards and the individual's application materials. All application materials and internal reviews shall be evaluated by members of the standing DRC Promotion and Tenure Committee. The department committee shall review all submitted materials and may solicit and obtain additional materials it deems necessary to make a thorough and substantive review of the candidate's qualifications. The committee shall conduct a fair, objective, independent and substantive review of the candidates' dossiers based on department standards for effectiveness and retention as detailed in RSCSP sections 222.3 and 310.3. 

Recommendation for advancement by the committee shall be by majority vote for consideration by the DRC Department Head, who may in-turn approve or deny the proposed advancement. Once approved by the DRC Department Head, the proposed advancement, along with a Letter of Appointment - Modification form, must be subsequently be approved by the Dean of the College of Agriculture and the VPRED.

Any differential salary and benefit costs incurred by such advancement shall be covered by appropriate external grants, and/or MAES funds provided at the discretion of the MAES Director.

Advancement Within Research Faculty Ranks

Assistant Research Professor to Associate Research Professor

Individuals currently appointed term-to-term as an Assistant Research Professor being considered for advancement to Associate Research Professor must:

1. Possess a terminal degree within an appropriate scientific field;
2. Be actively involved in scientific research, demonstrating sustained effectiveness in research;
3. Have documented evidence of continuing professional development;
4. Demonstrate effectiveness in service to the public, the University and the profession; and
5. Have served for a minimum of five (5) consecutive terms within the rank of Assistant Research Professor within the DRC.

Advancement shall not be based on time in rank alone. FH Section 341.02 states consideration for such advancement shall be "in accordance with department policies and procedures comparable to the research criteria and standards for tenurable faculty," which are defined by the "Role, Scope, Criteria, Standards and Procedures for the Formal Review of Faculty," of the DRC (RSCSP, 2006).

The individual shall submit to the DRC Department Head a summary of research activities and accomplishments as outlined in the departmental criteria (adapted from RSCSP Section 212.3):

1. Relevance of research to Montana agriculture;
2. Leadership and collaboration in research program development;
3. Publication in peer-reviewed journals and other appropriate media;
4. Presentation of research at professional meetings;
5. Preparation and submission of research proposals;
6. Receipt of extramural funding for research; and
7. Receipt of research awards and other forms of recognition.

Critical research pertinent to Montana agriculture must be identified, within the scope of their individual role statements and areas of expertise. The application must include a cover letter to the DRC Department Head requesting consideration for advancement to Associate Research Professor, a personal statement, an updated vita and two examples of publications that represent his/her best work. Internal review of research activity is required for advancement to Associate Research Professor. The department head will solicit confidential reviews from three individuals among tenurable faculty within the College of Agriculture, provide them with the appropriate DRC criteria and standards and the individual's application materials. All application materials and internal reviews shall be evaluated by members of the standing DRC Promotion and Tenure Committee. The department committee shall review all submitted materials, and may solicit and obtain additional materials it deems necessary to make a thorough and substantive review of the candidates' dossiers based on department standards for effectiveness in research and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor as detailed in RSCSP Sections 232.3 and 310.3. 

Recommendation for advancement by the committee shall be by majority vote for consideration by the DRC Department Head, who may in-turn approve or deny the proposed advancement. Once approved by the DRC Department Head, the proposed advancement, along with a Letter of Appointment - Modification form, must subsequently be approved by the Dean of the College of Agriculture and the VPRED.

Associate Research Professor to Research Professor

Individuals currently appointed term-to-term as an Associate Research Professor being considered for advancement to Research Professor must:

1. Possess a terminal degree within an appropriate scientific field;
2. Be actively involved in scientific research, demonstrating excellence in research;
3. Show evidence of leadership and recognition by peers and their profession;
4. Have documented evidence of continuing professional development;
5. Demonstrate effectiveness in service to the public, the University and the profession; and
6. Have served for a minimum of five (5) consecutive terms within the rank of Associate Research Professor within the DRC.

Advancement shall not be based on time in rank alone. FH Section 341.02 states consideration for such advancement shall be "in accordance with department policies and procedures comparable to the research criteria and standards for tenurable faculty," which are defined by the "Role, Scope, Criteria, Standards and Procedures for the Formal Review of Faculty," of the DRC (RSCSP, 2006).

The individual shall submit to the DRC Department Head a summary of research activities and accomplishments as outlined in the departmental criteria (adapted from RSCSP Section 212.3):

1. Relevance of research to Montana agriculture;
2. Leadership and collaboration in research program development;
3. Publication in peer-reviewed journals and other appropriate media;
4. Presentation of research at professional meetings;
5. Preparation and submission of research proposals;
6. Receipt of extramural funding for research; and
7. Receipt of research awards and other forms of recognition.

Critical research pertinent to Montana agriculture must be identified, within the scope of their individual role statements and areas of expertise. The application must include a cover letter to the DRC Department Head requesting consideration for advancement to Research Professor, a personal statement, an updated vita and two examples of publications that represent his/her best work. Internal review of research activity is required for advancement to Research Professor. The department head will solicit confidential reviews from three individuals among tenurable faculty within the College of Agriculture, provide them with the appropriate DRC criteria and standards and the individual's application materials. All application materials and internal reviews shall be evaluated by members of the standing DRC Promotion and Tenure Committee. The department committee shall review all submitted materials, and may solicit and obtain additional materials it deems necessary to make a thorough and substantive review of the candidates' dossiers based on department standards for effectiveness in research and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor as detailed in RSCSP Sections 232.3 and 310.3. 

Recommendation for advancement by the committee shall be by majority vote for consideration by the DRC Department Head, who may in-turn approve or deny the proposed advancement. Once approved by the DRC Department Head, the proposed advancement, along with a Letter of Appointment - Modification form, must subsequently be approved by the Dean of the College of Agriculture and the VPRED.

(Signed and approved September 2016 by DRC Promotion & Tenure Committee Chairman, DRC Department Head, College of Agriculture Dean and Vice President for Research and Economic Development)