Schemes for Engineers in Research and Development

Senior Research Fellowships: Assessment of Proposal and Applicant

The Scheme is overseen by five Fellows of The Academy who act as Lead Assessors – covering each of the major engineering disciplines. Assessment of a proposal is undertaken in three stages:

Stage one

The proposal is refereed confidentially by three Fellows of The Academy. This stage usually takes at least four weeks from receipt of the proposal. If positive comments are received the proposal moves to Stage Two. If negative comments are received the proposal is rejected at this Stage.

Stage two

Following receipt of positive comments from referees, a meeting may be arranged to discuss the proposal in more detail. This will be led by the appropriate Lead Assessor, another Fellow expert in the area of the proposal and The Academy’s Scheme Manager, and will be expected to involve a representative of the industrial sponsor and the university Head of Department or Dean of Engineering. The meeting will provide an opportunity for The Academy to clarify any issues raised by the referees. If the concerns are fully addressed the proposal will move to Stage Three. However if concerns remain the proposal will be rejected at this Stage. In special circumstances the university may be invited to resubmit the proposal addressing the concerns raised.

Stage three

Following a positive outcome at Stage Two, the following procedure will be used:

NB Where the proposed incumbent is an existing member of staff, the university must provide details of how the Award will add value to existing arrangements and should demonstrate additional support for the Fellowship, e.g. appointment of an additional lecturer to work with the incumbent.

Nominated candidate

The Academy will interview any nominated candidate. The Interview Panel will comprise: the appropriate Lead Assessor, a second Fellow of The Academy expert in the area and The Academy Scheme Manager. Nominated candidates are expected to have the prior approval of the university and industrial sponsor. Where a nominated candidate is not considered appointable by the interview panel, but the case for the Fellowship is considered to be worthy, the university may be invited to appoint in open competition using the following procedure:

No nominated candidate

Where there is no nominated candidate detailed in the proposal, the university will be required to appoint in open competition, using its normal procedures for advertising the Fellowship. All CVs received should be forwarded to The Academy Scheme Manager for consideration by The Academy Lead Assessor and the original Academy referees. The university should arrange a shortlisting panel on which The Academy and the industrial sponsor will be represented.

The university should arrange an appointment panel using its normal procedures, however, a Fellow of The Academy (nominated by The Academy), The Academy Scheme Manager, and a representative of the industrial sponsor(s) should also be members. Whilst the appointments panel will be governed by the university standard appointment procedures, the final appointment must be agreed by The Academy and the industrial sponsor(s). Hence, the university panel must agree that the candidate is appointable under its procedures, but the final decision on an appointment will require the agreement of The Academy and industrial sponsor(s).

Notification of outcome

The university and industrial sponsor will be notified of the outcome of the assessment, in writing, by The Academy Scheme Manager. Where an Award is made, an Agreement will be issued for signature by all parties detailing the terms and conditions of the Award. Drafts of the Agreement will be made available in advance on request.

 

 

Updated July 2012

/research/researcher/senior/assessment.htm