Faculty appointments
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Appointments and Promotions Committee
The Appointments and Promotions Committee advises the department chair on faculty administrative appointments and promotions, granting of academic rank in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology and graduate school privileges in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Track. The committee also advises on requests for joint appointments in the department.
A. Administrative appointment (associate consultant, senior associate consultant, consultant): Primary or joint appointment
These board-approved appointments are unique to Mayo Clinic and determine salary. The candidate and the chair of the candidate's home or primary department initiate promotion through the administrative ranks. In the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, this process is initiated by sending a cover letter and curriculum vitae to the chair of the Appointments and Promotions Committee.
Criteria and expectations for administrative appointments and promotions are on the Research Personnel Subcommittee intranet page (must be logged in to Mayo Clinic network). After approval by the Appointments and Promotions Committee and chair, applications are submitted to the Research Personnel Committee, Research Committee, site Personnel Committee and Board of Governors for approval. The entire process takes several months.
A request for joint administrative appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology reflects the desire of a faculty member from another department to actively engage in the academic, administrative and educational life of the department. Faculty considering a joint appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology should be familiar with facets of the academic, administrative and educational aspects of the department. They should be prepared to be actively involved in the activities of the department.
The department chair, vice chair and the Appointments and Promotions Committee determine the merit of requests for a joint appointment. Mayo Clinic tradition is that faculty members typically may hold a single joint appointment outside of their home departments.
Requests for a joint appointment are made according to guidelines set forth by the institution. After reviewing these guidelines and assembling the needed materials, faculty typically initiate the request by forwarding a cover letter and Research and Education Academic Information Management System (RE-AIMS) curriculum vitae as email attachments to the chair of the department. The cover letter must state familiarity with departmental activities and explain the applicant's enthusiasm for ongoing participation in these activities. Support letters (as email attachments) from the department chair and the chair of the applicant's administrative home or primary department also are required. The Appointments and Promotions Committee will process the request and forward it to the Personnel Committee of the Mayo Clinic Board of Governors.
Note: RE-AIMS formats Mayo Clinic faculty curriculum vitaes in a standard manner. Information on the RE-AIMS format is on the Mayo Clinic intranet (must be logged in to the Mayo Clinic intranet).
B. Academic rank (instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor)
Academic rank represents an endorsement and certification of experience and expertise within a field or discipline of science or medicine. Academic rank is based on criteria that do not imply participation in any particular department or program.
Academic rank in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology does not reflect or imply participation or membership in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as a faculty member. Rather, it affirms credentials and experience in these fields of study. Faculty interested in obtaining academic rank in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology should contact the department chair or Appointments and Promotions Committee chair for additional information on the guidelines.
After reviewing guidelines and assembling the required materials, faculty may initiate the request by forwarding a cover letter, curriculum vitae and required materials as email attachments to the chair of the Appointments and Promotions Committee. Then the Appointments and Promotions Committee will review the request. If the Appointments and Promotions Committee grants the request, it will be forwarded to the institutional Academic Appointments and Promotions Committee for review. If the institutional Academic Appointments and Promotions Committee approves the request, it passes to the Education Committee and then to the Mayo Clinic Board of Governors. The entire process can take several months.
C. Privileges in Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
The privilege of participating in graduate education — both formal teaching and supervision of graduate students — requires formal documentation and review of credentials and certification. Requests for Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences privileges can be submitted the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's Education Committee. Contact John R. Hawse IV, Ph.D., director of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Track, for more information.
Summary flowchart
Administrative (consultant track), primary and joint appointments
Appointments and Promotions Committee > Research Personnel Subcommittee > Research Committee > Personnel Committee > Mayo Clinic Board of Governors
Academic rank
Appointments and Promotions Committee > Academic Appointments and Promotions Committee > Education Committee > Mayo Clinic Board of Governors
Graduate school privileges
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's Education Committee > Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences