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Research and Teaching Active Retired Faculty

Page updated 29 September 2023

Policy overview

Research and teaching-active retired faculty are a valuable resource for the University with a wide range of skills, knowledge and contacts that we wish to see encouraged and recognised. Active retired faculty can play a role on the national and international stage, greatly enhancing the reputation of the University through activities such as research and publication, mentoring and coaching (faculty & students), networking and advocating, and guest lecturing and tutoring.

The policy outlines the process involved in supporting this cohort of retired faculty and acknowledging their contributions as members of the University community.

A note on Emeritus awards

The awarding of the status of Emeritus faculty is not automatic. The award of Emeritus is processed through the Academic Council and should be confirmed with University Secretariat. Learn more about Emeritus awards.

Being set up as research and teaching active faculty does not automatically grant Emeritus status.

The HOS should indicate that they have confirmed the award with University Secretariat on the Research & teaching active retired faculty application form.  If the HOS indicates they have confirmed the award with University Secretariat and signs the form then it will be processed by HR.

Set up process (summary)

  • HOS ascertains the retiring faculty member’s suitability for a specific voluntary project or role involving their research and/or teaching input post retirement using the following criteria:

  • The retiring faculty member completes the Research & Teaching Active Retired Faculty Application Form.

  • The HOS reviews and if they recommend the application, they send it on to the relevant College Principal.

  • The College Principal reviews and approves (or does not approve) the application.

  • Completed form should be returned to UCD HR at (opens in a new window)hrhelpdesk@ucd.ie. Please allow 2 weeks for records to be updated.

Note: This is a summary of the process. Please see the Policy for the full process.

What are the conditions for being Research-Active Retired Faculty?

As outlined in the Policy, appointees must meet the following conditions:

General

  • Retired from their paid university academic role and completed any post-retirement contract, if applicable
  • Willing to support University objectives and enhance the reputation of the University through their activities
  • Have a record of achievement across research, teaching and contribution as appropriate.

Research specific

  • Willing to continue with their research activities for the benefit of the University in a non-paid, voluntary role
  • Maintain an up to date profile on UCD’s research management system, where appropriate
  • Demonstrate they are research-active by maintaining a publication record under the Output Based Research Support Scheme (OBRSS)

In May each year, HR Operations will write to all Heads of School to ascertain if they wish to continue the research and teaching active arrangements of named individuals in their School.

No additional paperwork is required and an email response from the Head of School is sufficient to renew or cease the arrangements.

Exit interview emails are automatically sent to those due to shortly finish (or recently finished) working with UCD. You can ignore this email if:

  • You are awaiting a new contract to be issued,
  • You recently signed one,
  • You had a temporary change in role or hours which is now coming to an end,
  • You are moving to a Research & Teaching Active role,
  • You have completed a UCD online exit interview in the last 6 months.

Taking the above into account, it is still advised that you confirm your RTA application form has been submitted to the HR Helpdesk in time to ensure there is no disruption to systems access.

The awarding of the status of Emeritus faculty is processed through the Academic Council and should be confirmed with University Secretariat by the Head of School before completing the research and teaching active faculty application form and sending it to HR.

The HOS should indicate that they have confirmed the award with University Secretariat on the Research & teaching active retired faculty application form.  If the HOS indicates they have confirmed the award with University Secretariat and signs the form then it will be processed by HR.

No. These are covered by separate policies, carry separate conditions and have different scope.

As per the UCD Policy on Funded Research Activity, the following are eligible to register and manage research accounts.

  • Members of the University’s staff: Individuals who, at the time of signing the grant, are on the University’s Core HR/Payroll System with a contract of employment that spans the duration of the research grant. This includes individuals who fulfil the following roles or their equivalent:
    • Full Professor/ Professor/ Adjunct Professor/ Visiting Professor / Clinical Pathways Professors
    • Associate Professor/ Assistant Professor
    • Research-active retired Faculty
    • Postdoctoral Fellow (PD)/ Research Fellow (RF) 
    • Research administrative and technical staff (these will be considered on a case by case basis).

See the UCD Policy on Funded Research Activity for more details.

Yes, in line with the Funded Research Activity Policy, Research-active retired Faculty are eligible to register and manage research accounts on the UCD systems

This document on the UCD Research Portal outlines the process of accessing RMS Grants for retired faculty.

No. As Research-active retired Faculty are in a non-paid, voluntary role, there is no employment relationship between yourself and UCD. Therefore you cannot supervise students nor be their primary supervisor.

No. As there is no employment relationship between yourself and UCD, you cannot hire staff nor act as their line managers.

UCD Human Resources

Roebuck Offices, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 4900 | E: hrhelpdesk@ucd.ie | Location Map(opens in a new window)