1. Overview

   This policy establishes a "research" category of employees at Ohio university, delineates the terms and conditions of research appointments, and ensures consistent treatment of these employees.

   Under the section 124.11 of the Revised Code, positions and employees involved in research are considered "unclassified" employees. Ohio university defines research employees as non-faculty, non-student employees who are externally funded, and who predominantly conduct or support experimental, applied, or theoretical research work in a particular discipline.

   Appointments as research faculty (e.g., assistant research professor, associate research professor, or research professor) are governed by policy  01.015  and the " Faculty Handbook ."

   In the absence of an exception formally granted in accordance with policy  01.003 , this policy applies to all research employees whose positions are funded  more than fifty per cent from any combination of the following sources:

   1.  Startup funds for new faculty (oracle financials accounts with project code prefix "SU")

   2.  Research incentive funds (oracle financials accounts with project code prefix "RI").

   3.  Restricted accounts (e.g., grants and contracts).

   4.  Internal awards -- often used for postdocs, this includes 1804 fund research grants (oracle financials accounts with project code prefix "IA").

   5.  Foundation accounts (oracle financials accounts with project code prefix "FN").
   
   Any position otherwise falling under policy  40.058  can be designated a research position on the basis of its funding source. As appointing authority, the chief human resource officer will make final determinations regarding research designation. For example, a new, one-hundred-per-cent-grant-funded position determined to be an administrative assistant could be designated as research, and terms and conditions of appointment would adhere to this policy.

2. Process

   Unless otherwise noted, research administrative hourly employees will follow existing compensation and benefits policies for administrators.

   Research employees are considered special appointments, as described in policy  40.106 .

   Policies  41.013  and  41.012 , do  not apply to research employees. Employment for research employees is considered "employment at will," and is at the discretion of the employing authority. The university can terminate the appointment at any time. Written notice of termination will be provided at least two weeks in advance of the anticipated termination date, if circumstances permit.

3. Research employment categories

   Research employees can be administrative salaried or hourly. Appointments can be regular (nine- to twelve-month employment period), or term (less than nine-month employment period), as follows:

   Research administrator employees may hold positions meeting any of these three descriptions:

   1. Full-time regular research administrator: forty hours per week; nine- to twelve month employment period. 

   2. Part-time regular research administrator: less than forty hours per week; nine- to twelve-month employment period. 

   3. Term research administrator: zero to forty hours per week; zero- to eight-month employment period. 

4. Compensation and benefits

   This chart indicates the pay type, pay rate determination method, and applicability of various benefits for each category of research employee. A "Y" indicates that the benefit or compensation on that row  does apply to employees of that column.

   Unless otherwise noted, research administrators will follow existing compensation and benefits policies for administrators; and, with the obvious exceptions of the first four rows of this table, the table applies to both research administrative hourly and salaried appointments.

   Applicability of Benefits and Compensation
   by Research Employment Type

   Compensationand Benefits

   Full-timeRegular

   Part-timeRegular

   Term

   
   

   Research Administrator Pay 

   Salaried/Hourly

   Salaried/Hourly

   Salaried/Hourly

   Research Administrator Pay Determination

   Will mirror administrative pay plan
   (see policy  40.058 )

   Health and Life Insurance

   Y

   Y

   Educational Benefits

   Y

   Y

   Sick Leave

   Y

   Y

   Sick Payout

   Y

   Y

   Vacation Leave

   Y

   Y

   Vacation Payout

   Y

   Y

   Unemployment

   Y

   Y

   Y

   Workers Compensation

   Y

   Y

   Y

   Holidays

   Y

   Y

   Y

   Medical Leave

   Y

   Y

   FMLA only

   Disability Leave

   Y

   Y

   Personal Leave

   Y

   Y

   Performance Evaluation

   Y

   Y

   Informal

   Annual Pay Raise

   Hourly: standard formula

   Hourly: standard formula

   Hourly: standard formula

   Salaried: merit-based

   Salaried: merit-based

   Salaried: merit-based

   Both: budget allowing

   Both: budget allowing

   Both: budget allowing

   Employment Process

   Online

   Online

   Online

   Retirement

   Y

   Y

   Y

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

1. Council of Research Scholarship and Creative Activity

2. Faculty Senate

3. Associate Deans for Research

4. Chairs and Directors Council

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   There are no forms that are specific to this policy.

2. References

   The following items are relevant to this policy:

   1. Policy  01.003 , "Exceptions to or Restrictions of University Policies."

   2. Policy  01.015 , "Establishment and Review of Centers and Institutes."

   3. Policy  40.058 , "Administrative Compensation."

   4. Policy  41.012 , "Non-Renewal, Suspension, Demotion, or Termination for Cause of Administrative Appointments."

   5. Policy  41.013 , "Reduction in Force of Administrators."

   6. The  Faculty Handbook .

   7. The Ohio Revised Code is available online, including §  124.11 .

3. History

   Draft versions of this policy that were circulated for review, their cover memos, their forms, and Reviewers' comments on them are available on the password-protected Review site.

   Prior versions of this policy were approved on:

   1. July 11, 2016 (re-formatted)

   2. August 6, 2008 (abbreviated review)

   3. October 8, 2007 (full review)