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[scotia]

Thank you very much for your reply. This is not a post-92 university however but a 'smaller research intensive' university..Anyway, it is good to know it is not a generalised model.

It is shaped around the RAE/REF. They hire people that can enhance the profile and contribute publications in time for the RAE and they keep them -no  strings attached- for the next research excercise...

the talk they give new employees about the probationary period is all about targets: there is a specific amount of money one is expected to contribute through research income within 5 years, apart from publications, teaching, admin, etc.

I wish you luck. All the muttering I hear is that research money is going to get very tight in the near future - but once you are out of probation I cannot really see how you can be kicked out for not getting research funding. Even though it is a not a 'tenure' system, it is still difficult to get rid of academic staff in the UK except for cases of demonstrable financial hardship. I guess it might slow your promotion to SL, but 5 years to SL would, in any case, be exceptional in my field.

[mlgab70]

good to know there is some safety...all this 'target' talk can get quite scary at times..!

thaks again

[mlgab70]

on second thoughts, I am still unclear about the whole thing.
The problem is that the whole 5 year period is considered as probationary...which seems unfair given the standard 3 year process across the UK.

[scotia]

on second thoughts, I am still unclear about the whole thing.
The problem is that the whole 5 year period is considered as probationary...which seems unfair given the standard 3 year process across the UK.

I am not aware that 3 years is standard. I started out in an institution with a 4 year probationary period, though it was possible to move to a permanent contract earlier (I had the good fortune to be considered after 2.5 years, just after the department had failed to fill 2 advertised positions because of the quality of the field. Sometimes timing is everything).

If you are member it might be worth talking to the union to see what advice they can give you. My impression from my last job was that once you were in post for 4 years, unless your contract changes you effectively become a permanent member of staff (my old department missed a trick and kept a very marginal case on probation for five years and then wanted to get rid of him but were advised that they couldn't).

[secretweapon]

Hello, I am relatively new in my lecturer position. My university initially appoints new lecturers to a 5-year long 'professional development programme.' The first stage consists of the standard 3 year probationary period in the UK, and the next 2  define whether one gets the senior lecturer position.
I had no idea about this system when I accepted the offer. On paper the requirements involved evaluation of performance across all areas but now it is clear that success (and job security) is tied up to up to bringing a specific amount of research funds within the 5 year period.
Is this a common situation across the UK?

Either you and I are headed to the same university, or it is becoming common.  The only difference is that I was told about the plan before my interview so I could ask questions about it.

[mlgab70]

maybe it is getting more widespread...or may be we are neighbours!

I was told about the plan and I could ask questions, but it wasn't as clear then (2007) as it is today that everything came second to getting funds...this coud be a result of the new funding cuts, but I suspect it is  a university strategy to make staff find the funds to pay for most of their salaries.

I should have asked more questions, but I was just too happy to get the job...!