Academic Probation

Academic appointments to the post of Assistant Professor - (Research and Teaching focussed) are normally subject to a probationary period of 5 years. Where appropriate, an appointee may be placed on a pre-probationary period of normally up to 1 year (maximum 2 years). This is normally required where an appointee is studying for but has not yet completed a PhD or equivalent. Please refer to the Guidelines below for more information.

All academic probationers are reviewed annually by the Probation Review Group (PRG), who monitor progress and make decisions regarding confirmation/termination of appointment. The meeting in which a Probationer is reviewed is determined by their start date:

Probationers End date

Term Probationer will be reviewed

1 November - 28 February

Autumn

1 March - 31 May

Spring

1 June - 31 October

Summer

We will write to Heads of Department each term to advise them of the probationers to be considered at that term's meeting.

An update on Academic Probation:

Early in 2021 work was being done to update the criteria for academic probation so that it aligns with the criteria for academic promotion. We can now confirm that the changes have been made and you can find the new forms and guidelines below.

The new criteria is now based on the four areas of activity:

Research and Scholarship
Teaching and Learning
Impact, Outreach, Engagement
Collegiality, Leadership and Management

All newly appointed staff will be subject to the new criteria, and this will be clarified on appointment. For those who are in their final years of probation they may continue to use the old criteria unless the individual choses to transition to the new criteria. Transition guidelines can be found in the links below.

These new criteria will now ensure a smooth transition for staff who have completed probation to apply for promotion when they are ready and continue to develop against the four areas of activity.

Academic Probationers wanting to extend their probation period following family leave or long term sickness absence should complete this form.

Please note, the 5 year probation is applied to Assistant Professors on the Research and Teaching (R&T) focussed pathway.

Assistant Professors on a Research focussed pathway OR Teaching focussed pathway are subject to the academic 6 month probation, more information can be found here.

Academic Probation Information Session 22 February 2023

Please click the link below to sign up for the next probation session

Academic Probation Information Session 2023 sign upLink opens in a new window

Past Probation Sessions

An Academic Probation Information session was held via TEAMS on the 22 February 2023, the slides are available from the link below:

Academic Probation Information Session SlidesLink opens in a new window