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Adjunct Appointments

Page updated 15 August 2022

An adjunct appointee title is recognised as an honour bestowed upon an individual by the University. Adjunct appointees are individuals whose appointment to the University will enhance the teaching or research profile of a School, Research Institute or College and contribute to the intellectual life of the University, benefiting both the appointee and the University. In this section you can learn more about the levels at which appointments are made and the process for securing approval.

Policy Summary

Adjunct appointees include:

  • Individuals distinguished by high achievement in the world of industry, business, science, the professions, the arts or public service who have been recognised by peers as outstanding in their field
  • Staff of the University (excluding Faculty)
  • Retired UCD Faculty

Adjunct appointees will be given titles that are most appropriate in terms of academic rank, recognising that academic experience may differ relative to faculty who are employed at the University. They will possess professional and/or academic qualifications and expertise comparable with those expected of faculty at a similar grade within the University.

There are four levels of appointment:

  1. Adjunct Full Professor
  2. Adjunct Professor
  3. Adjunct Associate Professor or Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
  4. Adjunct Lecturer/Assistant Professor or Adjunct Research Fellow

Appointees will be appointed for a maximum of five years. Normally there will be no remuneration attached to the appointment. Exceptions will require the approval of the UMT.

This section contains a summary of a UCD policy, however, in all cases the Policy remains the definitive source of information on the topic.

You can read more about adjunct appointees in (opens in a new window)the Visiting Academic and Adjunct Staff Policy.

Process for appointing Adjunct Appointees

Step 1: The Head of School/Director of Institute proposes nomination to the College Principal.  The following documents should be made available to the College Principal: 

Step 2: Nominations approved by the College Principal to be brought to College Executive for approval.

Step 3: Following approval from the College Principal & College Executive meeting, the College Office should email the following documentation to UCD HR, Promotions & Grading ((opens in a new window)Promotions@ucd.ie):

  • The completed Visiting Academic/Adjunct Staff Nomination/Renewal Form
  • A copy of the nominee's C.V.

Step 4: Promotions & Grading set up appointments on the system

Step 5: Promotions & Grading issue letter of appointment

Step 6: List sent to Academic Council for noting (Spring - annually) by Promotions & Grading. 

Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

A Visiting Academic will hold an academic post at the level of Lecturer/Assistant Professor, Research Fellow, Associate Professor, Senior Research Fellow, Professor or Full Professor in a comparable higher education institute and have equal or superiour levels of expertise and experience to those of regular staff performing similar activities.  They will assume a Visiting Academic title to that which they hold in their home insititution (i.e. their primary employer).

Adjunct appointees include:

  • Individuals distinguished by high achievement in the world of industry, business, science, the professions, the arts or public service who have been recognised by peers as outstanding in their field;
  • Staff of the University (excluding Faculty and excluding staff from the nominating unit/school);
  • Retired UCD Faculty.

Adjunct appointees will be given titles that are most appropriate in terms of academic rank recognising that academic experience may differ relative to faculty who are employed at the University.  They will possess professional and/or academic qualifications and expertise comparable with those expected of faculty at a similar grade within the University.

The College Principal will seek advice from the College Executive on the proposed nomination.  The College Principal/Vice President for Research Innovaction and Impact has the responsibilty to ensure that an appointee possesses professional and/or academic qualifications and expertise comparable with those expected at a similar grade within the University.

In relation to the level of the appointment, the College Principal/Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact may seek advice from members of the Faculty Promotions Committee

Normally, visiting academic staff will be appointed at the same level they hold at their home institution.

Normally, no remuneration is attached to Visiting Academic appointments. In exceptional cases where remuneration is recommended, payment other than out-of-pocket expenses will require UMT approval. An individual who has an association with the University in the capacity as an occasional lecturer etc. should not be nominated for appointment as a visiting academic or adjunct staff.

OBRSS regulations Adjunct Faculty members are not a part of OBRSS scheme because OBRSS scheme is specific to UCD members (All academic and emeritus staff as well as Senior Research Fellows). An adjunct member needs to get an Emeritus status first in order to be a part of OBRSS scheme.

UCD Human Resources

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