Schedule 2: Classification descriptors - Academic staff
ACADEMIC STAFF
The responsibilities of Academic staff may vary according to the specific requirements of the University to meet its objectives, to different discipline requirements and/or to individual staff development. Typical standards for levels of Academic staff, other than casual staff, are as set out below. The levels are differentiated by level of complexity, degree of autonomy, leadership requirements of the position and level of achievement of the Academic staff member.
A staff member appointed to a particular level may be assigned, and may be expected to undertake, responsibilities and functions of any level up to and including the level to which the Academic staff member is appointed or promoted. In addition, staff may undertake elements of the work of a higher level in order to gain experience and expertise consistent with the requirements of the University's promotion processes.
Teaching and Research Academic Staff
Level A
- work with the support and guidance from more senior Academic staff
expected to develop expertise in teaching and research with an increasing degree of autonomy - normally expected to contribute to teaching, at a level appropriate to the skills and experience of the staff member, primarily at undergraduate and graduate diploma level
- engage in scholarly, research and/or professional activities appropriate to professional discipline
- undertake administration primarily relating to staff member’s activities at the University
- normally have completed four years of tertiary study or equivalent qualifications and experience; may be required to hold a relevant higher degree
Level B
- undertake independent teaching and research in staff member’s discipline or related area
- expected to make an independent contribution to research, scholarship and/or teaching through professional practice and expertise, and co-ordinate and/or lead the activities of other staff, as appropriate to the discipline.
- normally contribute to teaching at undergraduate, honours and postgraduate level
- may be required to perform full academic responsibilities of and related administration for co-ordination of an award program of the University provided that this is consistent with a reasonable and overall workload
- undertake administration primarily relating to staff member’s activities at the University
Level C
- expected to make a significant contribution to the discipline at national level
- in research, scholarship and/or teaching, expected to make original contributions which expand knowledge or practice in discipline
- normally expected to make a significant contribution to research, scholarship and/or teaching and administration activities of an organisational unit or interdisciplinary area at undergraduate, honours and postgraduate level
- normally expected to play a major role or provide a significant degree of leadership in scholarly, research and/or professional activities relevant to the profession, discipline and/or community
- may be required to perform full academic responsibilities of, and related administration for, co-ordination of a large award program or a number of smaller award programs, if consistent with a reasonable overall workload
Level D
- expected to make an outstanding contribution to research, scholarship and/or teaching and administration activities of an organisational unit, including a large organisational unit, or interdisciplinary area
- responsibilities may include co-ordination of a large award program or a number of smaller award programs where this is consistent with a reasonable overall workload
- expected to make an outstanding contribution to governance and collegial life inside and outside the University
- will have attained recognition at a national or international level in staff member’s discipline and is expected to make original and innovative contributions to advancement of scholarship, research and teaching in discipline.
Level E
- provide leadership and foster excellence in research, teaching and policy development in academic discipline within the University and within the community, professional, commercial or industrial sectors
- will have attained recognition as a leading authority in discipline, and will have achieved distinction at the national level and may be required to have achieved distinction at the international level
expected to make original, innovative and distinguished - contributions to scholarship, researching and teaching in discipline and make a commensurate contribution to the work of the University
Research Academic Staff (inclusive of creative disciplines)
Level A
- will normally work under the supervision of Academic staff at Level B or above, with an increasing degree of autonomy as the research Academic staff member gains skills and experience
- will typically conduct research/scholarly activities under limited supervision either independently or as a member of a team
- may undertake limited teaching, supervise at undergraduate levels, and/or publish the results of the research conducted as sole author or in collaboration
- undertake administration primarily relating to staff member’s activities at the University
- will normally hold a relevant higher degree
Level B
- will normally have experience in research or scholarly activities, which have resulted in publications in, refereed journals or other demonstrated scholarly activities
- will carry out independent and/or team research
- may supervise postgraduate research students or projects and be involved in research training
Level C
- will make independent and original contributions to research, which have a significant impact on staff member’s field of expertise
- work will be acknowledged at national level as influential in expanding knowledge of discipline, and standing will normally be demonstrated by a strong record of published work or other demonstrated scholarly activities
- will provide leadership in research, including research training and supervision
Level D
- will make major original and innovative contributions to staff member’s field of study or research, which are recognised as outstanding nationally or internationally
- will play an outstanding role within University, discipline and/or profession in fostering the research activities of others, and in research training.
Level E
- will typically have achieved international recognition through original, innovative and distinguished contributions to staff member’s field of research, as demonstrated by sustained and distinguished performance
- will provide leadership in field of research, within the University, discipline and/or profession and within the scholarly and/or general community
- will foster excellence in research, research policy and research training