Fair Review Principles for Nominations of Staff Scientists for Associate Scientist and Senior Associate Scientist Titles

Review Criteria

1. An IC may specify multiple criteria that illustrate the kinds of professional achievement commensurate with the Associate Scientist (AS) or Senior Associate Scientist (SAS) title. However, because Staff Scientists have diverse roles and responsibilities, the multiple criteria may not all be applicable to every Staff Scientist. In addition, not all Staff Scientists may have equal opportunity to fulfill every criterion. Thus, in recognition of these differences among Staff Scientists, it would be reasonable and equitable to specify that not all criteria are necessary for conferral of the AS or SAS title.
2. The conferral of the AS and SAS titles should not be contingent on a review for a pay increase or a performance evaluation that involves a factor beyond the Staff Scientist’s control (e.g., promotion to Staff Scientist 2 that may be contingent on funding availability, PMAP score that may be administratively capped, or BSC score of the PI).

Review Process

1. It is important for reviewers of the AS and SAS title nominations to understand the Staff Scientist position and how it can vary in terms of roles, responsibilities, and professional opportunities. This requirement would ideally be met if the review is conducted by a committee of Staff Scientists with the AS and SAS titles. If an IC does not have enough Staff Scientists to form such a committee, then the review committee should have at least some Staff Scientist representation or call upon Staff Scientists to serve as ad hoc reviewers, including those from other ICs.
2. It is expected that AS and SAS nominations will be reviewed observing best practices of fair review such as confidentiality, conflict-of-interest avoidance, and using only pre-specified criteria.

* As stated on the Staff Scientist page of the Sourcebook, the AS and SAS are "honorary titles and are not in themselves a commitment for an associated pay increase or sole justification for a pay increase. However, the performance / achievements that resulted in approval of the honorary title may be used to support a pay increase that is within the Title 42 Pay Model provisions."