Promotion to Research Professor, Non-Tenure Research Track

The KU School of Medicine provides the faculty with numerous online resources regarding Promotion and Tenure (P&T). The purpose of this section is to provide an abridged version of the documents found online so that a faculty member can see at a glance the highlights of expectations detailed in the official SOM guidelines document for promotion from their current Rank and Track. This abridge version is offered as a helpful tool for planning ahead, however when a faculty member is in the process of submitting their information and going up for promotion (with or without tenure), it is imperative that the official Guidelines For Academic Promotion and the Award of Tenure document, as well as the SOM Promotion and Tenure website are followed closely as they are the definitive resources.

The Abridged Edition: Promotion to Research Professor on the Non-Tenure Research Track

The major emphases of faculty members on this track are research and scholarship. For promotion the primary domain is research/scholarship, however, teaching and/or service related to the faculty member's research program is expected. Examples of teaching may include training of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents and medical students. Examples of service may include participation on University, School of Medicine and department research related committees. On the research track, consideration will be given to individuals who play a major role in collaborative scientific efforts as well as those who develop an independent research program. Those collaborative scientific efforts must be clearly documented and should result in publications related to the collaborations. Scholarship is defined in its broadest sense to include Boyer's four components: scholarship of discovery; the scholarship of integration; the scholarship of application; and the scholarship of teaching. (Boyer, 1990)

Promotion to Research Professor -- Attainment of Established Career Level in  research/scholarship must be documented plus at least  Early Career Level in one of the other two domains 

Established Career Level in Research/Scholarship

At the Established Career Level, evidence is expected of national or international recognition for scholarship in terms of a significant portfolio of high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarly products demonstrating major contributions to a field of study.

This evidence could include:

• substantial and significant published papers in medicine or the related sciences
• authorship of major books or other text or electronic formats relevant to medicine and the related sciences
• invited presentations to prestigious gatherings
• regular oral or poster presentations at prestigious (competitive) national conferences
• Consistent success in obtaining extramural grants or contracts that are peer-reviewed and depend on scientific excellence.
• significant contributions to the development of other scholars and researchers
• contributing editor or regular writer for a major scientific publication

Early Career Level in Teaching

Should document competency in activities such as:

• lecturing to medical and/or graduate students, residents, fellows, and peers
• instructing during laboratory or similar experiential learning activities
• teaching in patient care environments, including conducting teaching rounds
• facilitating and teaching in small group formats
• participating in supervision and individualized teaching of graduate students
• presenting patient conferences, grand rounds, and similar sessions
• assisting with journal clubs
• advising individual students and learners

Early career in Professional and Academic Service

Expectations for Professional Service at the Early Career Level include:

• clinical competence and demonstrated potential for excellence in area of expertise
• contributions to collaborative team efforts in clinical, public health, or scientific activities
• local consulting in area of expertise
• participation on clinically-related committees of the School of Medicine and related organizations/institutions
• advisor/expert consultant to State government and regional organizations

Examples of Academic Service include but are not limited to:

• responsibility for scientific program
• scientific consulting on a national or international basis
• review of manuscripts for professional journals and books
• member of an editorial board of a major scientific publication
• service on a national committee, study section or advisory group that substantially impacts health/scientific issues.
• participation/leadership of professional organizations
• activities related to faculty governance
• service on task forces, committees, and other groups of the School of Medicine and the University
• administrative responsibilities for departments, units or the
• organizational responsibility for student or resident organizations (including Academic Societies and specialty groups)
• mentoring of learners or colleagues

In Academic Service, the Early Career Level is demonstrated by active participation in the activities. Applicants should explain the significance of the activity and provide evidence of the caliber of their contribution to the work of groups.