Staff and students
Research assistance
Assistance for Chairpersons and Deans
The Board will fund research assistants for Chairpersons of Departments and Deans of Faculties when a positive recommendation supports the viability of the project. Applications are guided by these points:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Applicant’s past research output | 30 |
| Nature of the research project | 10 |
| Size of the research project | 10 |
| Academic staffing position in the department | 10 |
| Number of research assistants already awarded to the department | 5 |
| Whether all Research Fellowships in the Faculty are filled | 5 |
| Duration of the project against the period of chairmanship or deanship | 10 |
| Special circumstances (for example ill-health or clinical load) | 10 |
| Departmental teaching commitments | 10 |
The applicant justifies the need, briefs the Faculty Representative, and submits the application to the Secretary with copies of past annual reports if applicable, a list of publications for the last three years, and outlines of all current research projects.
Research assistants on specific projects
- Funds are awarded only if the assistance is an essential part of the project. Other duties are not sufficient justification, except for Chairpersons and Deans.
- Grants are for short, pre-defined periods. A grant of one year is made only in exceptional circumstances.
- The application states the grade and rate of pay, and the reason for that grade. Salary scales are obtained from the Bursar, departmental offices, or Appointments and Human Resources. Include on-costs, not only basic salary.
- Assistants funded by the Board are employed in a temporary capacity. Salaries are paid after a formal letter of appointment.
- The Board looks closely at departments that already have technicians who may assist with research.
- New members of staff may be considered sympathetically for short-term assistance when a new line of research is being established.
- The Board does not normally award grants for clerical assistance. Departments already provide it.
Student research assistants
Student Research Assistants provide help during the long vacation, when staff should be able to give most of their time to research, and they introduce selected students to research techniques.
- Staff design a programme that benefits the student and is not only routine tasks. Staff should be available during most of the employment to supervise and discuss progress.
- Applications are considered at the last meeting of the academic year, for the long vacation, and only in exceptional circumstances at any other time.
- Employment is normally limited to ten weeks. A working week is five working days. Public holidays not worked are not paid. Requisitions include only days actually worked, up to the grant maximum.
- Recruitment is through the departmental Chairperson’s office after advertising on the departmental notice board. The researcher chooses from the applicants.
- Only in exceptional circumstances are grants given to students of universities other than MSUAS. Students are chosen on merit: academic ability, performance and interest during the year. Recommendations should not normally be made when only lower-grade students are available.
- The Board can consider an application before the student has been identified.
- The student should normally pass the end-of-year examinations and should not be employed if required to write supplementary examinations. A replacement needs the prior consent of the Chairperson of the Research Board, who consults the Dean and the Faculty Representative.
- Pay is based on the year of study last completed, on the scale approved by Council. Current rates are in the appendix and are available from the Faculty Representative or the Secretary.
- Formal letters of appointment are not issued by Appointments, and payment is not automatic. Payment is against a cheque requisition issued by the member of staff and authorised by the Department Chairperson. The requisition states the year of study last completed, the year of completion, and the period of employment claimed.
- Student research assistance for a project already funded by the Board, below the Chairperson’s action maximum, is considered by Chairperson’s action.
- The Board does not award a grant where the student’s work is coursework that would normally be done during term.
- The Board does not award consumables, subsistence or travel for student research assistants unless that cost is an integral part of the project and a special case has been made.
