Hiring Research Faculty

This page provides guidance on hiring research faculty at UT Austin, including research faculty job profiles and ranks with corresponding qualifications, funding and procedural expectations, the Prior Approval Request (PAR) review process, and required materials for a finalized PAR packet.

Research Faculty Ranks & Required Qualifications

Research Professor (0017)

Research accomplishments and scholarly credentials equivalent to that of a full professor, including supervision of research programs or projects as a principal investigator.

Research Associate Professor (0027)

Research accomplishments and scholarly credentials equivalent to that of an established assistant professor or a new associate professor. The individual must have evidence of an established record as a mature, independent researcher.

Research Assistant Professor (0037)

Expected to show the potential to develop an independent research program that represents a significant portion of their activity and also be involved in activities thought of as professorial.

Research Faculty vs. Research Staff

Unlike research staff, research faculty are expected to engage with the academic enterprise through teaching, mentorship, or supervision of students at some level.

Teaching, Research, and Funding Expectations

• Appointed primarily to advance a focused research agenda, rather than carry the full range of academic responsibilities distributed across teaching, research, and service.
• Expected to contribute to the academic life of their school or college in some capacity, whether through teaching, mentorship, or student training, as determined by the unit.
• These positions are generally expected to be full-time, and salary should be funded from external grants. Exceptions to the FTE and funding requirements must be reviewed and approved by the dean.
• When teaching, funding should be adjusted via Assign Costing Allocation to reflect instructional effort.
• Granted automatic PI status (see Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility Administrative Procedures for more details).

Additional Considerations

• The Research Faculty job profiles are 12-month, professional-track positions.
• The typical contract length is short-term, though longer contracts may be used if approved by the dean to be in the best interest of the CSU and University.
• Like other faculty job profiles, Research Faculty do not submit timesheets in Workday for hours worked but must request absences for sick leave or when using floating holiday or vacation.

Finalized PAR Packet

The following documents must be submitted in a finalized PAR packet. To facilitate review, include materials in the packet in the order shown below:

1. PAR cover sheet (for departmentalized colleges, signed by department chair and dean; for non-departmentalized colleges, signed by dean)
2. Chair Statement (Dean Statement for non-departmentalized colleges)
   • Include clear evidence of the capability of developing and executing an independent research agenda on a timescale that would permit timely promotion.  This evidence can come from some combination of publications, recommendation letters, and grants received.
   • A summary of the committee’s discussion; explanation of the rationale for the committee’s vote and resulting recommendation; explanation of negative votes.
3. Candidate Research Statement
4. Candidate’s Current CV
5. Adequate documentation of potential conflict of commitment, to include management plan, if applicable.
6. A minimum of 3 reference letters (originals or copies); one must be arms-length. Letters should also document, if applicable, teaching performance and contributions in other areas to which the department expects the candidate to contribute in their research faculty role at UT.
7. Primary Language Determination form, Attachment A; and, if primary language is not English, Attachments C & D.
8. EEO report from Interfolio (if recruitment was managed in Interfolio).
9. A copy of the faculty job posting on UT Faculty Careers; or an approved Posting Waiver form.
10. Copy of draft offer letter (see Offer Letter Templates):
    • Commitment paragraph should clearly describe the salary funding plan.
    • If bridge funding is being provided, describe the source of funds and how long the bridge funding will continue.
    • Describe in detail plan for the candidate’s employment if bridge or external funding expires prior to the end of the contract, including whether the CSU will support the salary through the contract end date or whether the contract will terminate upon the conclusion of viable funding sources.