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
   Compensation and Benefits	Full-time Regular	Part-time Regular	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 搂 .

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

   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)