Weinberg College Appointment Types
Continuing Faculty
The following continuing faculty appointment types require authorization through the College's annual hiring plan in the spring of each year. Hires are the result of national searches.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
Tenured and tenure-track positions emerge from an authorized national search by the department. In rare cases, an exceptional candidate will be nominated as a target of opportunity. Tenured full and associate professors must be reviewed by the ad hoc or appointments committee before final approval by the Dean and Provost: their appointments have no end date or probationary term. Tenure-track assistant professors must be reviewed by the Dean and Provost before final approval. Their appointments are probationary, with an option for renewal before review for tenure. The length of the probationary period depends on years already within the tenure-track, but a new assistant professor is offered review for renewal in the third year, and tenure review in the sixth. | Tenure-Line Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | WCAS Recruitment and Hiring webpage |
| Associate Professor | Tenure-Line Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | |
| Assistant Professor (Tenure Line, not Tenured) | Tenure-Line Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | |
| The College Fellow year is an optional preliminary year for entry-level tenure-track candidates who have not already enjoyed a postdoctoral fellowship or teaching appointment that increases experience in research and/or teaching. This year does not count as part of the probationary period. College Fellow | Tenure-Line Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | WCAS Recruitment and Hiring webpage |
| Teaching-track faculty positions emerge from an authorized national search by the department. In rare cases, an exceptional candidate will be nominated as a target of opportunity. The College will only rarely consider hiring into a Professor or Associate of Instruction position: these titles are usually attained through the promotion of existing teaching-track faculty. Most new teaching-track faculty will be hired into the assistant professor of instruction position. These are non-tenured positions and therefore subject to review before renewal. Professor of Instruction | Teaching-Track Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | WCAS Recruitment and Hiring webpage |
| Associate Professor of Instruction | Teaching-Track Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | WCAS Recruitment and Hiring webpage |
| Assistant Professor of Instruction | Teaching-Track Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | WCAS Recruitment and Hiring webpage |
| These primarily non-teaching appointments may be offered to members of the University staff who require a faculty appointments in a department or program. Teaching-Track faculty hired prior to 2014 in the rank of Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, or Distinguished Senior Lecturer have the option of retaining these titles up until the point of promotion. Distinguished Senior Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer (Continuing) | Non-tenure-eligible faculty | Associate Director, Faculty Affairs | |
Non-Continuing Faculty
The following non-continuing faculty appointment types are generally for a fixed term. Prior authorization through the annual process to request short-term teaching may be required.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
| These non-tenure track appointments are for accomplished artists and are usually for a limited term. Artist in Residence | Non-tenure-eligible faculty | Faculty Affairs | Short-term appointment system: |
| These non-tenure track appointments are for a limited term and are the result of a national search. They are full-time, 9-month appointments paid over 12 months. Teaching Post Doctoral Fellow | Non-tenure-eligible faculty | Faculty Affairs | WCAS Recruitment and Hiring webpage |
| Visiting Faculty Appointments are generally held by faculty with appointments at another academic institution. Appointments may range in duration from one to 36 months. Appointments longer than 36 months must be approved by the Office of the Provost. These appointments may require a national search. Visiting Professor or Associate Professor | Non-tenure-eligible faculty | Faculty Affairs | Short-term appointment system (NetID required) |
| Visiting Assistant Professor | Non-tenure-eligible faculty | Faculty Affairs | Short-term appointment system (NetID required) |
| Non-tenure-track, non-continuing faculty hired to teach for a limited term. Lecturer (appointments of less than one year) | Non-tenure-eligible faculty | Faculty Affairs | Short-term appointment system (NetID required) |
| Non-tenure-track, non-continuing faculty hired to teach for a limited term. These appointments require a national search. Lecturer (appointments of one year or longer) | Non-tenure-eligible faculty | Faculty Affairs | Short-term appointment system (NetID required) |
| Adjunct Faculty appointments are non-tenure-track and must have less than a 50% workload for the academic year or be less than 100% for half the academic year. As such, adjunct faculty members are not eligible for University benefits. Adjunct faculty members typically hold a primary, continuing position at another University or at an external organization. They do not have the full range of faculty responsibilities. Depending on the discipline, adjunct faculty may or may not be expected to hold a terminal degree in their field of specialization. Adjunct appointments are usually less that three years but may be renewed repeatedly. Adjunct Faculty - Teaching appointment (specific titles are at the Tenure-Line or Lecturer ranks) | Non-tenure-eligible faculty | Faculty Affairs | Short-term appointment system (NetID required) |
Unpaid Faculty
The following faculty appointment types are generally unpaid appointments of a fixed term.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
| A departing tenure-line faculty member may wish to maintain affiliation with Northwestern because a grant remains at the University, he or she is on a dissertation committee, or some other mutually beneficial reason. In such cases, a faculty member may be approved for appointment as an unpaid adjunct (assistant/associate) professor. Adjunct, non-budgetary appointments are sometimes offered to members of institutions that have an affiliation with Northwestern, such as the Field Museum, the Chicago Botanic Garden, or the Family Institute, or to a distinguished member of the non-academic community. Adjunct Faculty - Non-teaching appointment (specific titles are at the Tenure-Line or Lecturer ranks) | Various Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | Chairperson's Handbook |
| Secondary, non-budgetary appointments (sometimes referred to as courtesy appointments) are offered to faculty in another Weinberg department or another University school. The appointee’s role in the host department may include such activities as the cross-listing of courses, service on graduate dissertation committees, collaboration on research, assistance in the recruitment of faculty and graduate students, and participation in seminars and colloquia. Secondary/Courtesy faculty appointments (specific titles are at the Tenure-Line or Lecturer ranks) | Various Faculty | Director, Faculty Affairs | Chairperson's Handbook |
Research Visitors
Research Visitors are sponsored or employed elsewhere; usually other universities, industry, or government. Appointments are for a fixed term up to three years. They are not employees of the University and are unpaid. On occasion, where the situation warrants it, they may be provided with supplemental funding from University funds; such funding is considered financial aid for living and/or travel expenses and is not tied to services rendered. Appointments are processed and approved by the Weinberg Dean's Office and the Vice President for Research. For further details refer to Research Visitor Appointment Policy.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
Visiting Scholars are sponsored or employed elsewhere and are at Northwestern for one year or less to study with Northwestern faculty, learn research techniques, use specialized facilities, or collaborate with faculty investigators. They may serve as co-investigators on grant applications or funded projects, and on a case-by-case basis may be approved to be Principal Investigator, with approval from the Vice President for Research. On occasion, visiting scholars may be provided with supplemental funding from University funds; such funding is considered financial aid for living and/or travel expenses and is not tied to services rendered to Northwestern. They do not receive employee benefits. They may receive email and library privileges. | Research Visitor | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
| Visiting Predoctoral Fellows are current degree-seeking graduate students from other institutions who are studying at Northwestern for short periods, working with faculty to learn research techniques or to use specialized facilities. They are funded by their home institution. On occasion, they may be provided with supplemental funding from University funds; such funding is considered financial aid for living and/or travel expenses and is not tied to services rendered to Northwestern. Under certain circumstances, they may be paid from sponsored programs through a subcontract to their home institution. Visiting Predoctoral Fellow | Research Visitor | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
| Visiting Research Collaborators are individuals who may periodically visit Northwestern in order to learn research techniques, use specialized facilities and/or collaborate with Northwestern faculty. A Visiting Research Collaborator must have current, paid employment at the start-up company of an existing Northwestern faculty member. A Visiting Research Collaborator cannot simultaneously have Northwestern faculty, staff or student status. Visiting Researcher Collaborators are appointed for
only one year at a time and must show documentation of paid employment at the time of initial appointment. These appointments are renewable; the Visiting Research Collaborator must provide updated documentation of paid employment at the Northwestern faculty start-up company
prior to each reappointment. Visiting Research Collaborator | Research Visitor | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
Research Faculty
Appointments are for a fixed term, typically from one to three years, contingent on the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. Appointments are for 11 months, allowing for one month of unpaid leave; salary is always paid over 12 months. Appointments must be voted on by the faculty in the relevant department. Appointments are processed and approved by the Weinberg Dean's Office and the Vice President for Research. For further details refer to Research Faculty-Level Appointment Policy.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
| Faculty-level research appointments are approved by the Vice President for Research. They are viewed as professional appointments and not intended as courtesy or temporary appointments. Appointments are for a fixed term, typically from one to three years, contingent on the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. Appointments are normally full-time and must be paid at least $23,660 per annum for a full-time appointment; schools may set a higher minimum at their discretion. In some cases, part-time appointments can be made when it is mutually agreeable to the candidate and the department or center, and when the work effort is consistent with the salary paid. Appointments are for eleven months, allowing for one month of unpaid leave; salary is always paid over 12 months. Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, Research Professor and Senior Research Investigator | Research Faculty | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
Research Staff
Research Staff appointments are for a fixed term up to three years. Appointments are processed and approved by the Weinberg Dean's Office and the Vice President for Research. For further details refer to Research Staff Appointment Policy.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
| Staff-level Research Associates typically hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree in their discipline; have received equivalent professional recognition; or have demonstrated exceptional artistic abilities. They are primarily involved in laboratory (rather than clinical) research, although they are not principal investigators except with the written approval of the vice president for research. They are not members of the faculty and are ineligible for tenure. Research associates may be appointed for a term of up to three years. Research Associates | Research Staff | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
| Staff-level Senior Research Associates work in the conduct of research and, after receiving a PhD or equivalent terminal degree, have at least ten years of experience as research associates, or equivalent positions, and have demonstrated significant research achievements in the form of publications, patents, or other measures of research accomplishment. They are primarily involved in laboratory (rather than clinical) research, although they are not principal investigators except with the written approval of the vice president for research. They are not members of the faculty and are ineligible for tenure. Senior research associates may be appointed for a term of up to three years. Senior Research Associates | Research Staff | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral Fellows have recently been granted degrees of PhD or MD, or the equivalent terminal degree, and are primarily involved in continuing post graduate education or training in conducting research. Appointments are processed and approved by the Weinberg Dean's Office in consultation with The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. For further details refer to Postdoctoral Appointment Policies.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
| Postdoctoral Fellows have recently been granted degrees of PhD or MD, or the equivalent terminal degree, and are primarily involved in continuing post graduate education or training in conducting research. They are normally paid through the University payroll system. They are considered staff and receive staff benefits, including vacation, personal floating holidays, and sick days. Postdoctoral Fellows (Research) | Research Staff | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
| Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows have recently been granted degrees of PhD, MD, or the equivalent professional degree. They are not employees of Northwestern and are unpaid. Visiting status is only approved upon documented external support. They may be appointed for a period not to exceed one year. Where the situation warrants it, such externally supported postdocs may be provided with supplemental funding from University funds; such funding is considered financial aid for living and/or travel expenses and is not tied to services rendered to Northwestern. Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows | Research Staff | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
| NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows are recipients of National Research Service Awards (NRSA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - both those receiving grants as individuals and those participating in institutional grants. As provided by the terms of the award, NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows are considered to be trainees rather than employees of NIH or of the University. NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows | Research Staff | Assistant Director for Graduate Studies | Weinberg Research Appointment Process |
Staff
Benefits-eligible staff positions are approved through the Dean's Office and Office of Human Resources. Prior authorization through the Dean's Office is required before opening a position and hires are the result of a search.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
| Staff, both full or part-time, are benefits-eligible positions approved through the Office of Human Resources. Positions require a minimum of 18.75 hours worked per week. Staff positions may be classified as exempt (salaried) or non-exempt (hourly and eligible for overtime pay). Staff | Staff | Associate Director of Administration | Office of Human Resources |
Temporary Staff
Temporary staff are not benefits-eligible and are paid an hourly rate. The Dean's Office funds temporary positions in a department or program to cover a staff vacancy or medical leave. Departments and programs may hire temporary staff using their own funds at any time.
Guests, Volunteers and Contractors
As needed, the University provides guests, volunteers, and contractual workers with access to University systems and resources. These affiliations include the following categories.
| Title | Appointment Type | Contact | Hiring Information Resource Link |
|---|
| Affiliate NetIDs are for individuals requiring more than 30 days of access to Northwestern services including NU wireless, the Course Management System (Blackboard), the Canvas Learning Management System, the NU Library, and school or departmental resources. Affiliates must use a personal e-mail address which will be displayed in the Online Directory. An @northwestern.edu e-mail address can be established to forward messages to the personal e-mail account. Affiliate NetID | N/A | | NUIT |
| Authorized contractors working within the University community may receive a WildCARD and library privileges. Contractors | N/A | | Office of Human Resources |
| Guest NetIDs are for individuals needing limited, short-term access to University resources that require authentication. Northwestern e-mail accounts are not granted with this type of NetID and requests should be submitted at least one business day before they are needed. Guest NetID | N/A | | NUIT |
| Individuals (who are not employees) may donate their time and services to Northwestern University. Departments/Units must consult with the Office of Human Resources to determine if an individual meets the requirements and qualifies as an intern. The University requires a careful review of the possible arrangement to ensure the safety of the individual and that no conflict of interest exists. Interns should be at least 16 years of age. Interns | N/A | | Office of Human Resources |
| Spouses and domestic partners of current faculty and staff may obtain a WildCARD and library privileges. Spouses and Domestic Partners of Faculty and Staff | N/A | | WildCARD Office |
| Individuals (who are not employees) may donate their time and services to Northwestern University. Departments/Units must consult with the Office of Human Resources to determine if an individual meets the requirements and qualifies as a volunteer. The University requires a careful review of the possible arrangement to ensure the safety of the individual and that no conflict of interest exists. Volunteers should be at least 16 years of age. Volunteers | N/A | | Office of Human Resources |
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