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INFORMATION FOR

Investigator Track

The Investigator track emphasize excellence in individual and team science.
Photo by Robert A. Lisak

Candidates for appointment on the Investigator track will hold a MD, PhD, or equivalent degree and have completed appropriate postdoctoral training. This track is intended for investigators who demonstrate conceptual and creative leadership in research that may be carried out either as an independent investigator or as a key participant in a research team or core facility. If working in a collaborative research effort, an investigator's creative contributions must be distinguished and identifiable.

Research on this track typically drives a new area of research and/or methods on many projects as principal investigator. Collaborative team science and interdisciplinary research is encouraged with unique creative contributions identifiable. Chapters, reviews, and other publications can support but not substitute for original research.

Faculty members in this track may engage in teaching, but their major responsibility is in the development of productive research programs. Mentorship in this track typically evolves to be precepting trainees within one’s lab or within a research team or core.

Typically, faculty on this track have ≥90% of their effort supported by extramural funding and/or may have support from administrative or leadership roles, such as a directing a core research facility. Overall, there should be an established track record of sustained funding, most often federally sponsored, with at least one current source as principal investigator.

Individuals who will contribute to graduate education and who hold a primary or secondary appointment in a basic science or bridge department are eligible for appointment to the Graduate School.


On this page

Assistant Professor on the Investigator Track

Description:

Candidates for appointment to the rank of assistant professor on the Investigator track will have published scholarship of high quality, along with promise as a scholar as an independent investigator or as a member of a research team or core facility.

Engagement of team science in encouraged. If working in a collaborative research effort, an investigator's creative contributions must be distinguished and identifiable. Promotion to associate professor is contingent on advancing to the metrics defined for that rank.

Process:

Terms for this rank are for up to three years. For this track, there is a maximum of 6 years as assistant professor. Those who have held a ladder track position at another instructions should see the position-specific considerations delineated under appointments.

Appointment to assistant professor in this track does NOT require presentation to a YSM A&P Committee or the BPO.

Appointment to this rank requires:

Reappointment information is summarized on a different webpage, and reappointment to this track/rank requires:

Associate Professor on the Investigator Track

Description:

Candidates for appointment or promotion to the rank of associate professor in the Investigator track must have demonstrated a strong record of conceptual and creative research leadership in independent research or in collaborative efforts as part of a team that leads to a regional with an emerging national reputation. If working in a collaborative research effort, an investigator's creative contributions must be distinguished and identifiable.

There must be clear evidence that academic growth will continue with the expectation that the investigator will be a suitable candidate for promotion to professor within 10 years. There must be a record of sustained funding sufficient to cover the proportion of salary and research activities required by the investigator's department.

Promotion to professor is contingent on advancing to the metrics defined for that rank.

Process:

Appointment terms for this rank are for up to five years. For this track, there is a maximum of 10 years as associate professor. Those who have held a ladder track position at another instructions should see the position-specific considerations delineated under appointments.

Appointment to this rank requires:

Promotion to this rank requires:

Reappointment information is summarized on a different webpage, and reappointment to this track/rank requires:

Professor on the Investigator Track

Description:

Candidates for appointment or promotion to the rank of professor on the Investigator track are expected to stand in competition with the foremost leaders in their fields throughout the world. A strong record of conceptual and creative research leadership that has significantly advanced the frontiers of knowledge must be demonstrated in independent research or in collaborative efforts as part of a team. If working in a collaborative research effort, an investigator's creative contributions must be distinguished and identifiable.

There must be a record of sustained funding sufficient to cover the proportion of salary and research activities required by the investigator's department. The strength of commitment conferred by appointment to the rank of professor mandates that candidates in this track have attained the same level of achievement in their domains as candidates for professor in the other ladder tracks.

Process:

Appointment terms for this rank are made on a continuing basis.

Appointment to this rank requires:

Promotion to this rank requires:

Appointments at the rank of professor in the Investigator Track are made on a continuing basis without term but do not confer tenure. Appointments continue without extra-department review as long as the faculty member generates funding sufficient to cover the proportion of salary and research activities required by the investigator's department. Funding is reviewed annually by the department. If, for any three years in a five-year period, the individual's funding is not sufficient, as determined by the department and the Office of the Dean, the appointment reverts to a term appointment that expires at the end of two additional years and reappointment information becomes relevant.