Appointments to the non-faculty academic staff are usually recommended for the term of one (1) academic year. Most often, the term of the appointment will conform to the academic year, i.e., July 1st to June 30th, but an appointment may begin during the academic year and may have a termination date other than June 30th. The term of appointment may be renewable or may be terminal, depending on such factors as the source of funding for the position, the duties of the position, the programmatic needs of the department, and the individual's continued fulfillment of the qualifications for the appointment. The academic staff member should be informed whether the appointment is renewable or terminal, and of the conditions for renewal.1
For example, Research Associates are often supported primarily with extramural funding awarded for a specified period. The term of appointment should end no later than the expiration of the funding. If further support is available, the appointment may be renewed; if not, the appointment will end. Individuals in training positions, e.g. Fellows and Postdoctoral Associates, are expected to complete their training within a specific period. The terms of such appointments should end no later than the anticipated completion of training.
The maximum terms of certain appointments are set forth in the Bylaws of the University. Appointments to the position of Research Associate may be recommended for a period of up to three (3) years, or any part thereof. Appointments to the position of Senior Research Associate may be recommended for a period of up to five (5) years.
Appointments to the positions of Postdoctoral Associate and Teaching Associate may be recommended for terms not to exceed one year.2 In a majority of cases, postdoctoral trainees are appointed to terminal appointments. Postdoctoral Associates may be appointed by the President to training positions for terms of up to one year with limited renewals, normally no more than five (5) years in all in the same field at the Medical College, with the option to extend for a sixth year to complete research. Based upon adequate justification, an extension for a sixth year may be granted at the Dean’s discretion upon written request by the postdoctoral trainee and the Department Chair.3
Postdoctoral trainee appointments will be subject to a three-month probationary period at the initiation of each new postdoctoral training position at the Medical College. During the probationary period, the Department Chair may recommend to the Dean termination of the postdoctoral trainee’s appointment prior to the end of the appointment term. However, in such cases the postdoctoral trainee is entitled to three months’ notice of termination. Once a postdoctoral trainee’s appointment has passed the end of the probationary period, the appointment will normally end on the approved appointment end date. The Department Chair may recommend termination of an appointment prior to the approved end date, consistent with Medical College policies on dismissal4.
If after five years, or six if an extension is granted, the individual is to continue in a research capacity, any further appointment should be at the level of Research Associate or to other academic titles that are not training positions. The position of Postdoctoral Associate does not normally lead to a research career at Cornell. Three months prior to the end date of postdoctoral trainee appointments, Departments should give all postdoctoral trainees, regardless of the total duration of appointment, a written reminder of their appointment end dates.5
The appointments of qualified individuals on the staff of an affiliated institution are contingent upon the continuation of their appointment at the affiliated institution and the continuation of the Affiliation Agreement between Cornell University and that institution. Should either condition cease to be in effect, the academic staff member's appointment at the Medical College will end coterminously. For example, the academic appointments of Clinical Associates and Senior Clinical Associates, who are employed by affiliated hospitals as part of postgraduate training programs, end upon completion or discontinuance of that employment.
- 1. See Renewal of Appointment
- 2. Bylaws of Cornell University, Article XVII, 2g.
- 3. As approved by the Executive Faculty Council on October 8, 2009, the General Faculty Council on October 19, 2009 and the Executive Committee of the Board of Overseers on November 18, 2009 (minutes, page 217).
- 4. See Leaves and Termination of Employment, Termination of Appointment
- 5. As approved by the Executive Faculty Council on October 8, 2009, the General Faculty Council on October 19, 2009 and the Executive Committee of the Board of Overseers on November 18, 2009 (minutes, page 217).