Adjunct Researcher Appointments, Office of Research

The University of Kansas recognizes a number of affiliate appointment types as described in the Human Resources policy statement on Affiliates & Volunteers. The purpose of this policy is to clarify the criteria that must be met for adjunct appointments approved by the Office of Research.

Adjunct researchers are individuals who are associated with and providing specific services to the University voluntarily and without compensation for these services, including key scientific research leaders of qualifying start-up companies leasing space at KU’s Bioscience and Technology Business Center. They may be appointed as adjunct research assistants or associates, adjunct specialists, adjunct scientists or adjunct curators. The procedures for initial appointment and renewal are described below.

Adjunct research appointments are reserved for faculty members at other institutions or area professionals such as engineers or scientists who have ongoing collaborative research relationships with KU faculty, or key scientific research leaders of qualifying start-up companies leasing space at KU’s Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC). Normally they are collaborating on a specific sponsored research project for which a KU faculty or staff member is the Principal Investigator. However, an adjunct research appointment may be appropriate even in the absence of external funding when a specific, well-defined collaborative project is undertaken.

Procedures

Adjunct research appointments are made via the Affiliate Data Sheet.

For initial appointments, the appointing unit submits the data sheet, a letter of justification, and a copy of the individual’s vita to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. The appointment is generally for a period of up to one year. If circumstances necessitate a longer appointment period than one year, specific and explicit justification is required for an exception, which may be granted for an appointment period of up to three years. An end of appointment date is required. An adjunct research appointment may be renewed by submitting an updated Affiliate Data Sheet to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Adjunct status may be revoked at any time.

Adjunct status for scientific leaders of start up companies leasing space at the BTBC and meeting the following requirements:

• No more than 20 employees.
• No more than $5 million in cumulative capitalization.

Adjunct status for such BTBC scientific leaders shall be limited to three years.