Comparison of Research Positions
The table below compares attributes and processes of the research faculty titles and those research staff and affiliate positions most commonly used in the College of Education. For information about additional research staff titles used at UT Austin, please consult the following:
Workday Job Profile Catalog RPT0286
Choose a category below:
Category | Item | Research Faculty | Research Staff (Expected to continue) | Research Staff (Fixed Term/temporary) | Research Affiliates (unpaid) |
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Resources |
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Appointment details | Job Family | Faculty: Professional-Track (12-Month) | Staff: A&P - Research | Staff: A&P - Research Fellows | Nonemployee Research Affiliate |
Job Profiles | Research Assistant Professor (0037) | Research Associate (0708) | Postdoctoral Fellow (0712) | Visiting Researcher/Scholar (A006) | |
Recruiting | Required | Required | Optional | n/a (Nonemployee) | |
Job description | Research + “engagement with the academic enterprise through teaching, mentorship, or supervision of students at some level” |
| Postdoctoral Fellow: Recent Ph.D. graduates (within 3 years) who are self-funded or independently funded by a third-party source such as a grant or other institution. Typically recruited by a member of the university's faculty or research body to further the university's research endeavors. | Research Affiliate - Postdoctoral: Recent Ph.D. graduates (within 3 years) who are self-funded or independently funded by a third-party source such as a grant or other institution. Typically recruited by a member of the university's faculty or research body to further the university's research endeavors. | |
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| Research Fellow: Research Fellows have at least 3 years of research experience (post-Ph.D.), and plan to return to their home institutions after brief collaborations at the university. They are self-funded or independently funded by a third-party source such as a grant or other institution. Typically recruited by a member of the UT faculty or research body to further UT research endeavors. | Research Affiliate - Research Fellow: Research Fellows have at least 3 years of research experience (post-Ph.D.), and plan to return to their home institutions after brief collaborations at the university. They are self-funded or independently funded by a third-party source such as a grant or other institution. Typically recruited by a member of the UT faculty or research body to further UT research endeavors. | ||
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| Senior Research Fellow: Senior Research Fellows have established research careers at other institutions, to which they plan to return after brief collaboration at the university. They are self-funded or independently funded by a third-party source such as a grant or other institution. Typically recruited by a member of the university's faculty or research body to further university research endeavors. | Research Affiliate - Senior Research Fellow: Senior Research Fellows have established research careers at other institutions, to which they plan to return after brief collaboration at the university. They are self-funded or independently funded by a third-party source such as a grant or other institution. Typically recruited by a member of the university's faculty or research body to further university research endeavors. | ||
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| Visiting Researcher/Scholar: Visitors from corporations or academic institutions who are self-funded or independently funded by a third-party source such as a grant or other institution. Visitors typically initiate request for nomination and collaborate on research that may benefit their own research endeavors in addition to furthering the University's mission. | ||
Appointment period | September 1-August 31 | September 1-August 31 | September 1-August 31 | September 1-August 31 | |
Duration of employment | Professional-track faculty contract terms: 1 year, Fixed Term 2 or 3 year, Rolling 2 or 3 year. See COE: Contracts - COE Guidelines > Contract types | Minimum: One year Maximum: n/a Based on offer letter at time of employment: Expected to continue | Minimum: One year Maximum:
Based on offer letter at time of employment: Limited Term (# of years, based on funding continuation) |
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FTE | 100% (unless exception approved by EVPP and VPR) | 100% (unless exception approved by EVPP and VPR) | 100% (unless exception approved by EVPP and VPR) | n/a (Nonemployee) | |
Workday sup org | Academic department (chair) JM | Academic department or research center PM | Academic department or research center JM | Academic department or research center JM | |
Exempt | Exempt | Exempt | n/a (Nonemployee) | ||
Compensation |
| Research Associate: UT minimum $50,004 | Postdoctoral Fellow: UT minimum $47,476 | n/a (Nonemployee) | |
| Research Scientist: UT minimum $55,008 | Research Fellow: UT minimum $47,476 | |||
| Senior Research Scientist: UT minimum $80.004 | Senior Research Fellow: UT minimum $54,000 | |||
PI eligibility |
| Eligible PI – automatic in UTRMS-Grants (see PI Eligibility Table.pdf) | Eligible PI – automatic in UTRMS-Grants (see PI Eligibility Table.pdf) | Postdoctoral Fellow: co-PI status only, with OSP approval Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow: With OSP approval | Not eligible |
Qualifications | Education |
| Research Associate: Ph.D. or degree considered terminal for the discipline. | Postdoctoral Fellow: Ph.D. received within past 3 years; relevant education and experience may NOT be substituted for Ph.D. |
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| Research Scientist: Ph.D. or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate | Research Fellow: Ph.D. received more than 3 years ago or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate |
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| Senior Research Scientist: Ph.D. or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate | Senior Research Fellow: Ph.D. received more than 3 years ago or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate |
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Experience | Similar amounts of education and experience as for their tenured/tenure-track counterpart | Research Associate: Entry-level research professional position; must have professional qualifications to conduct independent research and the potential to become an established researcher. | Postdoctoral Fellow: Traditional assignment upon receipt of Ph.D.; relevant education and experience may NOT be substituted for Ph.D. |
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| Research Scientist: Research accomplishments and professional experience equivalent to that of an established Assistant Professor or new Associate professor; established record as a mature, independent researcher; at least 5 years of applicable experience | Research Fellow: At least 3 years of research experience post-Ph.D., and plan to return to their home institutions after brief collaboration at UT. |
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| Senior Research Scientist: Research accomplishments and professional experience equivalent to that of a full Professor, including supervision of research programs/projects as a PI; at least 10 years of applicable experience. | Senior Research Fellow: At least 3 years of research experience post-Ph.D. and have established research careers at other institutions, to which they plan to return after brief collaboration at UT. |
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Timesheets |
| Not required | Required | Required | n/a (Nonemployee) |
Evaluation, promotion & professional development | Required evaluation | Faculty Annual Review | Annual Staff Performance Appraisal (see COE: Annual Performance Appraisals - Staff) | Annual Staff Performance Appraisal (see COE: Annual Performance Appraisals - Staff) | n/a (Nonemployee) |
Promotion | COE: Salary Adjustment Requests (SAR) > tab “Reclassification” Advancement expected through progressive duties scope change and increase and title changes. | COE: Salary Adjustment Requests (SAR) > tab “Reclassification” Advancement expected through progressive duties scope change and increase and title changes. | n/a (Nonemployee) | ||
Professional development & mentoring | Expected to be mentored and provided professional development as a researcher and academic scholar | Expected to self-motivate professional development opportunities for development as a researcher | Expected to self-motivate professional development opportunities for development as a researcher |
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