Promotion
Promotion is the appointment of existing members of staff to another post or office at a higher grade than the one previously held. This may be the result of either a successful application for an advertised vacancy, or, where appropriate, personal promotion.
Academic staff
An annual exercise is conducted to consider applications for promotion to the office of Professor, Reader, or Senior Lecturer. The exercise requires submission of specified documentation to support applications, which is then considered by specially convened promotions committees. Each office has designated criteria against which applications are evaluated. The exercise is rigorous and decisions are driven by academic judgment.
Academic related staff
Progression to a higher grade, other than by means of a successful application for an advertised vacancy, occurs only where the duties of the underlying role have changed enough to merit regrading. The updated role description (form PD33) is assessed by Human Resources using the HERA role analysis scheme to determine the new grade. Details of the scheme are published on the Human Resources Division website.
Contract research staff
Promotion within the scope of an existing research project requires a recommendation, supported by the research sponsor and head of institution, that the responsibilities undertaken by the member of staff matches the generic role profile for the higher grade. Promotion to Senior Research Associate requires approval by the relevant Faculty Board.
In cases where promotion is sought to higher grades, evidence is needed of achievement equivalent to the research/scholarship criteria used to consider applications for promotion to the equivalent grades of Reader (Principal Research Associate) or Professor (Director of Research).