INTRODUCTION
The Position Classification Standards for the classifications of academic staff employed at QUT are set out below. These standards are generic statements used to describe the broad categories of responsibilities attached to academic staff at different levels. The Position Classification Standards provide the basis to differentiate between the various levels of appointment and define the broad relationships between classifications. The Standards are not exhaustive of all tasks in academic employment.
The duties and responsibilities of academic staff will be consistent with the appropriate Position Classification Standard.
The Position Classification Standards have three parts:
(i) General Standard
This contains a generic statement of the function and rationale of positions at a given level. These are stated with regard to the form and level of contribution which an occupant of a position can be expected to make to academic leadership, research and scholarship, teaching performance and leadership, and professional leadership.
(ii) Specific Duties
Examples of specific duties are provided. The lists of duties are illustrative and not a set of mandatory requirements to be placed upon someone holding a position at a given level. There are a number of distinctive duties between the levels and these are especially pertinent in establishing where a position and its incumbent should be classified.
(iii) Skill Base
The skill base is a generic statement of the qualification and experience which can be expected of a person holding a position at a given level. The skill base is stated as a combination of formal qualifications and/or experience according to the relevant discipline area. Selection and other criteria need to be sensitive to the discipline area of candidates.
ASSOCIATE LECTURER (LEVEL A)
General Standard
An associate lecturer is expected to make contributions to the teaching effort of the institution, particularly at undergraduate and graduate diploma level and to carry out activities to develop his/her scholarly research and/or professional expertise relevant to the profession or discipline.
The most complex levels of unit coordination should not be carried out by an associate lecturer.
An associate lecturer will not be required to teach primarily in units which are offered only at masters degree level or above.
An associate lecturer shall work with support and direction from academic staff classified at lecturer and above and with an increasing degree of autonomy as the academic gains in skill and experience.
Specific Duties
Specific duties required of an associate lecturer may include:
Academic leadership
limited administrative functions primarily connected with units in which the academic teaches
development of subject area material with appropriate guidance from the unit, subject area or course coordinator
acting as unit coordinator provided that skills and experience demonstrate this capacity
attendance at school and/or faculty meetings and/or membership of a limited number of Committees
Research and scholarship
Conduct of research
Teaching performance and leadership
conduct of tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, student field excursions, clinical sessions and/or studio sessions
preparation and delivery of lectures and seminars provided that skills and experience demonstrate this capacity
consultation with students
marking and assessment primarily connected with units in which the academic teaches
production of teaching materials for students for whom the academic has responsibility
Professional leadership
Limited involvement in professional activity.
Skill base
An associate lecturer will normally have completed four years of tertiary study in the relevant discipline and/or have equivalent qualifications and/or professional experience. In many cases a position at this level will require an honours degree, extended professional degree or three year degree with an associated postgraduate diploma. In determining experience relative to qualifications, regard is had to teaching experience, experience in research, experience outside tertiary education, creative achievement, professional contributions and/or contributions to
technical achievement.
LECTURER (LEVEL B)
General Standard
A lecturer is expected to make contributions to the teaching effort of the institution and to carry out activities to maintain and develop his/her scholarly, research and/or professional activities relevant to the profession or discipline.
Specific Duties
Specific duties required of a lecturer may include:
Academic leadership
initiation and development of unit material
acting as unit or subject area coordinator
development of course material with appropriate advice from and support of more senior academic staff
a range of administrative functions, the majority of which are connected with the units or subject areas in which the academic teaches
attendance at school and/or faculty meetings and/or membership of a number of Committees
Research and scholarship
conduct of research
Teaching performance and leadership
conduct of tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, student field excursions, clinical sessions and studio sessions
preparation and delivery of lectures and seminars
supervision of the program of study of honours students or of postgraduate students engaged in course work
marking and assessment
consultation with students
production of teaching materials for students for whom the academic has responsibility
Professional leadership
involvement in professional activity
Skill base
A lecturer shall have qualifications and/or experience recognised by QUT as appropriate for the relevant discipline area. In many cases a position at this level will require a doctoral or masters qualification or equivalent accreditation and standing. In determining experience relative to qualifications, regard is had to teaching experience in research, experience outside tertiary education, creative achievement, professional contributions and/or to technical achievement.
SENIOR LECTURER (LEVEL C)
General Standard
A senior lecturer is expected to make significant contributions to the teaching effort of a school/faculty or other organisational unit or an interdisciplinary area. An academic at this level is also expected to play a major role in scholarship, research and/or professional activities.
Specific Duties
Specific duties required of a senior lecturer may include:
Academic leadership
initiation and development of course material
course coordination
broad administrative functions
attendance at school and/or faculty meetings and a major role in planning or Committee work
providing advice and support to more junior academic staff
Research and scholarship
conduct of research
Teaching performance and leadership
exercising a significant role in teaching and teaching development within the University
conduct of tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, student field excursions, clinical sessions and studio sessions
preparation and delivery of lectures and seminars
supervision of the program of study of honours students and or postgraduate students engaged in course work
marking and assessment
consultation with students
development and promotion of innovative teaching methods
production of teaching materials for students for whom the academic has responsibility
Professional leadership
substantial involvement in professional activity
Skill base
A senior lecturer will normally have advanced qualifications and/or recognised significant experience in the relevant discipline area. A position at this level will normally require a doctoral qualification or equivalent accreditation or standing. In determining experience relative to qualifications regard shall be had to teaching experience, experience in research, experience outside tertiary education, creative achievement, professional contributions and/or technical achievement. In addition a position at this level will normally require a record of demonstrable scholarly and professional achievement in the relevant discipline area.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR (LEVEL D)
General standard
An associate professor is expected to make a significant contribution to all activities of the organisational unit or interdisciplinary area and play a significant role within his/her profession or discipline. Academics at this level may be appointed in recognition of distinction in their disciplinary area.
Specific duties
Specific duties of an associate professor may include:
Academic leadership
development of and responsibility for curriculum/programs of study
course coordination
high level administrative functions
attendance at school and faculty meetings and a major role in planning or Committee work
providing advice and support to more junior academic staff
Research and scholarship
conduct of research
Teaching performance and leadership
conduct of tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, student field excursions, clinical sessions and studio sessions
preparation and delivery of lectures and seminars
supervision of the program of study of honours students and of postgraduate students engaged in course work
marking and assessment
consultation with students
development and promotion of innovative teaching methods
production of teaching materials for students for whom the academic has responsibility
Professional leadership
significant contribution to the profession and/or discipline
Skill base
An associate professor will normally have advanced qualifications and/or recognised significant experience in the relevant discipline area. A position at this level will normally require a doctoral qualification or equivalent accreditation or standing. In determining experience relative to qualifications regard shall be had to teaching experience, experience in research, experience outside tertiary education, creative achievement, professional contributions and/or to technical achievement. In addition a position at this level will normally require a record of demonstrable scholarly and professional achievement in the relevant discipline area.
There is also a requirement for academic excellence which may be evidenced by an outstanding contribution to teaching and/or research and/or the profession.
PROFESSOR (LEVEL E)
General standard
A professor is expected to exercise a special responsibility in providing leadership and in fostering excellence in research, teaching, professional activities and policy development in the academic discipline within the school or other comparable organisational unit, within the institution and within the community, both scholarly and general.
Specific duties
Specific duties of a professor may include
Academic leadership
development of research policy
playing an active role in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of educational policy and of curriculum areas within the discipline
developing and being involved in administrative matters within the school or other comparable organisational unit and within the institution
providing advice and support to more junior academic staff
Research and scholarship
conduct of research
Teaching performance and leadership
fostering excellence in teaching within the University and University system
conduct of tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, student field excursions, clinical sessions and studio sessions
preparation and delivery of lectures and seminars
supervision of the program of study of honours students and of postgraduate students engaged in course work
making a distinguished personal contribution to teaching at all levels
marking and assessment
consultation with students
development and promotion of innovative teaching methods
production of teaching materials for students for whom the academic has responsibility
Professional leadership
participating in and providing leadership in community affairs, particularly those related to the discipline, and in professional, commercial and industrial sectors where appropriate
Skill base
A professor will normally have advanced qualifications and/or recognised significant experience in the relevant discipline area. A position at this level will normally require a doctoral qualification or equivalent accreditation or standing. In determining experience relative to qualifications regard shall be had to teaching experience, experience in research, experience outside tertiary education, creative achievement, professional contributors and/or to technical achievement. In addition a position at this level will normally require a record of demonstrable scholarly and professional achievement in the relevant discipline area.
There is also a requirement for academic excellence which may be evidenced by an outstanding contribution to teaching and/or research and/or the profession, and that a professor will be a leading authority in the relevant discipline area.