Research and scholarship is the primary area of focus for faculty on the regular research track. Research track faculty are not required to teach, and are expected to support their salary through extramural funding. Regular Research Track appointments are not eligible for tenure per se, but are eligible to be appointed to renewable term contracts of 1 to 5 years. The first term of appointment to the regular research track is probationary, regardless of the length of the contract period and the rank of initial appointment. Faculty are reviewed annually and a more formal review occurs in the penultimate year of the contract to determine if the contract will be renewed.
Renewal of the contract may be for a period of 1 to 5 years and the term of a renewal is not dependent on the term of the previous contract. A formal review occurs in the penultimate year of each subsequent contract to determine if the contract will be renewed. There is no minimum or maximum years of service required before a faculty member can be considered for promotion.