Status-Only Academic Appointments (Non MD)

Definition:

Status‐only University appointees are employed outside of the University, usually by an affiliated institution and normally receive no remuneration from the University of Toronto.  Such appointments are made to allow an individual faculty member to participate more fully in a University Department’s teaching or research program. Status‐only (Non-MD) appointments do not fall under the Faculty of Medicine Clinical Faculty Policy as they are held by faculty members who do not hold a Medical Degree. Individuals being considered for a status‐only (Non-MD) appointment normally hold full‐time employment arrangements with another institution with a job description that is primarily academic (research and teaching) in nature. For further details, please refer to the Academic Administrative Procedures Manual.

There are two streams of status-only appointees:

• Independent Scientists (PhD Scientists)
  • What constitutes scientific independence? Scientific independence is demonstrated by having the academic freedom to pursue independent scholarly activity. Within this context, independent scientists will have the capacity to develop independent lines of scientific inquiry and an independent program of research. This scientific independence may be evidenced by the following indicators: appointment title i.e. Scientist, Adjunct Scientist, Affiliate Scientist, or equivalent; duration of appointment (minimum 3-year term); protected time for research; direct report to most senior leader of research in the institution; independent access to research infrastructure (office, laboratory, computer network); capacity for independent supervision of trainees and staff.
• Non-PhD Scientists who have regular and ongoing involvement in the teaching and evaluation of our Department’s learners

Ranks – Status-Only (Non-MD)

• Lecturer 

• Assistant Professor – Initial appointment at this rank requires the successful completion of a doctoral program or other equivalent scholarly or professional work

  • PhD scientists must show evidence of scholarly productivity. Scholarship would often include a post-doctoral fellowship and should include first-authored peer-reviewed publications.

  • Individual in health care settings who have completed a Master’s level program will be considered for Assistant Professor where there is clear documented evidence of a strong record of scholarly achievement and/or creative professional activity

  • See FAAC manual for detailed criteria

• Associate Professor or Professor – see detailed criteria in the Manual for Academic Promotion

Additional Resources

Checklist for Re-appointments of Status-only Faculty

Questions? Contact psych.appoint@utoronto.ca