Employment Types

Exempt

Exempt employees are paid a fixed weekly salary and are not eligible to receive overtime pay.

Nonexempt

Nonexempt employees are paid on an hourly basis and are eligible to receive overtime pay for overtime hours worked in accordance with applicable law.

Regular

A regular status employee is scheduled to work full-time, 30 hours or more per week. Regular status employees areeligible to participate in all applicable fringe benefits programs.The term “regular” does not imply continued employment by the Research Foundation, nor does it guarantee a term of employment for any definite period of time. Regular status employees areemployed “at will”.

Temporary

Temporary status is appropriate where the work is intermittent or irregular or is ongoing and part-time (less than 30 hours per week) and cannot be readily fulfilled through use of a student employee. Employment may be full-time (30 hours per week or more) for no greater than six (6) consecutive months by the employing unit*. Temporary positions that provide full time work (30 or more hours per week) will be terminated at 6 months or will be reclassified as Regular and undergo competitive recruiting through the Research Foundation process. Temporary employees receive legally required benefits, where applicable. Temporary status employees hired beginning 2009 who attain age 21 and have completed one year of eligibility service may become eligible for non-elective retirement contributions. Temporary status employees are employed “at will”.

AFFILIATED APPOINTMENTS

CASUAL STUDENT
A casual student is an undergraduate or graduate student of the University who is assigned to work on sponsored research or projects. Employment is part-time during the academic term, generally not to exceed 20 hours per week. Employment may be full-time during semester breaks and summer periods. The PI makes casual student appointments. Casual student employees receive legally required benefits, where applicable. Casual students may be exempt from FICA based on academic enrollment. Casual status employees are employed “at will.”

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISSTANT(GRA)
A graduate research assistant is a full-time graduate student of the University appointed through the University process and academic department and assigned to work on sponsored research or projects. GRAs receive legally required benefits; where applicable (see “Benefits Guide,” pg. 9). GRAs may be exempt from FICA based on academic enrollment. See the student financial aid and graduate assistantship guidelines in the University catalog. GRA status employees are employed “at will.”

FACULTY
A faculty member is an individual appointed by the University to engage in teaching, research, services, and other activities. Faculty can engage in sponsored programs during the academic year and summer, and on an overload basis under limited circumstances. Faculty generally perform services for the Research Foundation as the project director, PI, or co-PI of a sponsored project. Faculty receive legally required benefits, where applicable. Faculty status employees are employed “at will.”

SELF-SUPPORTING RESEARCH PROFESSIONALS (SSRP)
SSRPs are individuals appointed by the University and employed by the Research Foundation generally as full-time employees. An SSRP may also have a faculty appointment at the University if so designated through the University process. SSRPs are eligible to participate in a modified benefits program, funding permitted. The term “SSRP” does not imply continued employment by the Research Foundation. SSRP status employees are employed “at will,” See Faculty Handbook for Policy on Self-Supporting Research Professional Positions.

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATES
Postdoctoral associates are employees appointed by the University who have obtained their doctoral degree and are selected for training appointments anticipated to last one to two (1-2) years. Postdoctoral associates are eligible for a modified benefits program including health, vision, and dental insurance; leave benefits, and life and disability insurance. Postdoctoral associate status employees are employed “at will.”

NOTE: An “employing unit” is a PI (Principal Investigator), group of PIs who have agreed to share 9 employees, an enterprise, or entity for which the Research Foundation has agreed to act as employer of record for employees funded through their respective grants, contracts or other research award funding.