Guidance Relating To PhDs And Reward
Following the implementation of the University of Sheffield Grading Scheme (USGS), new guidance exists to explain how the award of a PhD relates to grade.
- Research staff are appointed to a grade (normally this is 6 or 7) on the basis of the job they are being appointed to do; this is not related to whether or not they have a PhD.
- Heads of Departments and staff applying for grants are advised to cost research jobs on Grade 7, regardless of the initial grade of the research job, unless it is definitely Grade 6 and is not going to grow through the life of the project.
- There is no financial recognition for research staff purely based on being awarded a PhD.
- Similarly, there is no financial recognition for other staff purely based on educational attainment.
- Any researchers on Grade 6, who are subsequently awarded a PhD, are given particular consideration for promotion to Grade 7 in promotion rounds following the award of their PhD. Any promotion has to be linked to job size and the Grade Profiles. (Due to negotiated arrangements relating to the Memorandum of Understanding, this promotion is to spine point 29)
- Research Councils and grant funders are aware of the change in approach to PhDs and grades/salaries at Sheffield for research staff.
In addition, to clarify career progression for research staff:
Research job titles are, in general, linked to grade:
- Grade 6 - Research Assistant
- Grade 7 - Research Associate
- Grade 8 - Research Fellow
- Grade 9 - Senior Research Fellow.
It may not be possible to fit this approach retrospectively.
It also has to be recognised that there are externally awarded fellowships, which bring with them an externally defined title of Fellow eg EU Fellow, Russell Fellow, DTI Fellow etc; these fellowships are graded on the basis of the job.