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Staff Development at JMU

Professorship (R4 - Leading Researcher)

In order to progress to stage R4, researchers must hold a university degree, possess the ability to deliver excellent research (usually demonstrated through outstanding achievements in their doctoral research), be able to demonstrate additional academic accomplishments (Habilitation or equivalent accomplishments, e. g. in the position of junior professor), and possess the qualities needed to deliver effective teaching. Usually they must also have a strong track record of generating external funding. At this stage of their careers, researchers face challenges relating to teaching, the equipment of a chair, research group, or institute with adequate financial and human resources, and the supervision and mentoring of students, early career researchers, and researchers in career stage R3. They are also expected to take on additional responsibilities both at their university (e. g. in academic self-administration) and in their research community (e. g. serving as a peer reviewer for high impact factor journals).

Focus area of Academic Staff Development for Leading Researchers

Having been appointed to a professorship, Leading Researchers have achieved independence in their research and have responsibility for ensuring that a permanent research group, chair, or institute is equipped with adequate financial and human resources. Rather than focusing on developing new knowledge and skills, Leading Researchers should, therefore, focus on reflecting upon and refining current practice in the light of the duties and responsibilities of their position. Training and development initiatives focusing on selected skills, behaviors, and attributes identified in domains A knowledge and intellectual abilities, B personal qualities and values, C research governance and organization, and D professional self-concept and societal responsibility can help provide fresh perspectives on existing practices. Stage R4 is characterized by a relatively high degree of stability; however, professors might be offered professorships at other institutions. JMU is responsible for assuring the quality and promoting the ongoing development of existing structures and initiatives for the professional development of its researchers to ensure that it continues to be able to attract and retain excellent Leading Researchers.

Challenges Leading Researchers face include a high degree of leadership and managerial responsibility as well as tasks relating to the preparation of proposals for and the management of large-scale collaborative research projects. What is thus becoming increasingly important at stage R4 is the evaluation of the collaborative research activities of research groups as well as counseling regarding the generation of funding for large-scale (international) collaborative research projects that will help professors raise their research profile. Serving as supervisors and mentors, professors make a valuable contribution to the university’s efforts to create new career paths for early career researchers that will make their progression towards senior positions in research more transparent and predictable. This is why we must involve our Leading Researchers in change processes and invite them to act as multipliers.