Research/Faculty Associate and Adjunct Professor Appointment

A Research Associate is envisioned as an individual who is a productive researcher and grants person. He or she would come to the University with external funding (grants, contracts, etc.) and would be provided with space on the campus. A close, physical working relationship between the Research Associate and the departmental faculty, students, and staff is clearly one of the objectives. While the University would provide laboratory space, it would not provide a salary or fringe benefits. The individual, if paid by grants through Humboldt, would be paid through Humboldt Foundation's payroll process. 

The duties of the Research Associate are to serve as a colleague and as a resource for the department and for others in the college; to conduct research during their residency here; to prepare funding proposals; to be involved in the supervision of graduate student research; to serve as a resource for undergraduates, including lecturing in classes and giving seminars; and to advise students on careers in research, getting into graduate school, and job placement. Any grant or contract proposed would be submitted via Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation, would follow the University's institutional routing procedure, and would have a member of the University’s faculty as a co-investigator. 

The benefits that will derive from these individuals include enhancement of the research reputation of the department, college, and university; the likelihood of additional funds for equipment, clerical and technical support, and overhead for the Humboldt Foundation; the financial support of advanced undergraduate and graduate students; and a subjective, but very important aspect of providing a positive role model. 

There are costs, but they are relatively minor. Suitable office and laboratory space should be provided, as well as telephone and computer hook-up. The Research Associate will require University Library privileges and be permitted to purchase a parking permit. He or she must also be eligible to apply for Humboldt Foundation grants (supported by grant income), but only when the research project involves students. 

The Research Associate is expected to have a terminal degree or equivalent and to have a record of productive scholarship or creative activity and successful fund raising. After being nominated for the position, a favorable vote by a majority of the departmental faculty is required to send a name forward. The designation of individuals as Research Associate is by action of the Provost on the recommendation of the college personnel committee and endorsement of the college dean. The term of appointment should be one to five years and may be renewed. 

For protection of both parties, a Volunteer Appointment Form will be filed annually, and will include teaching load information for each semester, if applicable.

Faculty who wish to apply for Research Associate status can complete this electronic form and attach their CV illustrating qualifications.  To preview the form, please click the PDF below.  

Note: Please do not initiate the form until you are ready to submit it.

The designation of Research Associate allows the faculty member to be a Principle Investigator (PI) on Sponsored Programs Foundation grants.

• Preview the form here first: Research Associate DocuSign Sample
• Ready to apply: Request for Research Associate Status Form

From time to time persons of distinguished academic preparation or accomplishments may seek, or be sought by the University, to associate temporarily for the purpose of the advancement of learning. Where such association is mutually beneficial and upon the recommendation of the appropriate department(s), acting as a committee-of-the-whole or through its personnel committee, the college dean may designate such persons as "Associate in [the appropriate academic discipline].” Such a designation carries no rank or emolument, though such persons may be given library privileges and access to such facilities as are appropriate. 

The recommendation should include specific details relating to the criteria indicated above, including (1) the academic preparation or accomplishments that distinguish the person recommended; (2) the way in which learning and/or scholarship may be advanced by the association; (3) how it will mutually benefit the parties; (4) and the period of association, with the possibility of reappointment. The college dean will inform the Dean of the University Library of the acceptance of such a recommendation. For protection of both parties, a Volunteer Appointment Form will be filed annually, and will include teaching load information for each term, if applicable.

Please send your CV and indicate your interest with the academic department you wish to affiliate with.  The best contact is the department chair.  Click here to browse the Humboldt Faculty and Staff Directory.

Department Instructions: 

• After receiving and reviewing an application, if recommended, send a department recommendation memo (along with the candidate's materials) to the college dean. 
• The Dean will review the materials, and if approved, will write a letter approving the status. The Dean is the approval authority for the Faculty Associate affiliation. The college office should forward completed packets to aps@humboldt.edu to ensure the volunteer faculty PeopleSoft record is maintained. 
• A Volunteer Appointment Form will be filed annually.