General Information: Appointments Review Group
Overview
The scientific appointments process at NCAR provides the institution with the intellectual leadership necessary to identify, direct, and contribute to solving the most important and challenging problems in atmospheric science. The scientific appointments ladder at NCAR has four levels: scientists I and II are term appointments made by the NCAR divisions and programs, while the scientists III and senior scientist appointments are without term. Advancement or appointment to scientist III or senior scientist is based on a process of confidential review and recommendation that involves both the senior scientific staff and senior management through the Appointments Review Group (ARG).
The ARG also considers research engineer appointments at NCAR. The research engineer appointment ladder has four levels: research engineer I and II are term appointments made by the NCAR divisions and programs. The research engineer III and senior research engineer appointments are without term and are made by the Director of NCAR based on the recommendation from the ARG.
The criteria for appointment, the review process, and the procedures used by the ARG during the annual appointments process are described in this guide. The NCAR Scientific Appointments Criteria provide greater explanation and description of the appointment criteria and outline the measures used to evaluate nominations.
Confidentiality
The following documents and procedures must remain confidential throughout the ARG process:
- Verbatim minutes of the ARG meetings as kept by the Recording Secretary
- Reports of the Investigative Subcommittees
- Letters of reference for all nominees
- All discussions about nominees
- Names of Referees
Electronic mail should not be used to communicate confidential information regarding any of the nominees.
The NCAR Directorate will only communicate with ARG Members and the candidate's Subcommittee Members regarding each candidate, in order to maintain confidentiality.
2008 Contact Information
ARG Chair: Clara Deser, cdeser@ucar.edu, x1359
Administrative Support: Cindy Worster, cmw@ucar.edu, x1101
Recording Secretary: Veda Emmett, veda@ucar.edu, x1102
Website & Online Applications: Kristin Conrad, kconrad@ucar.edu, x1118
2009 Calendar
- Call for Nominations - Memo from Eric Barron issued December 3
- Nominations Due - January 9
- First Meeting - January 22-23
- Seminars - March 2-31
- Reference Letters - Due March 31
- Second Meeting - April 30 - May 1
- Scientist III appointed by Director of NCAR - May
- Board of Trustees review of Senior Scientist nominations - mid-May
- Senior Scientist appointed by Director of NCAR - June
Membership and Representation of NCAR Units
Membership
Terms of Office: ARG members are appointed for a 3 year term by the Director of NCAR.
Representation: Each division and institute is represented by the Director and one additional member who are Senior Scientists. The ARG Chair selects 11 at-large members. The NCAR Director reviews the at-large membership to ensure an appropriate balance of representation.
The division and institute representatives and the at-large members are voting members. Directors are non-voting members. The ex-officio members do not vote.
Withdrawal: If a member of the ARG is unable to carry out all of his/her ARG duties during the appointed three-year term, the Division or Program Director may nominate a replacement. The designated replacement must participate in one full annual cycle. No replacements will be allowed once the annual ARG cycle has begun. The designated replacement is authorized to fulfill all aspects of the ARG's responsibilities.
Representation of NCAR Units
The following NCAR units are represented on the ARG
- Atmospheric Chemistry Division
- Advanced Study Program
- Climate & Global Dymamics Division
- Computational and Information Systems Laboratory
- Earth Observing Laboratory
- High Altitude Observatory
- Institute for Mathematics Applied to the Geosciences
- Institute for the Study of Society and Environment
- Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Division
- The Institute for Integrative and Multidisciplinary Earth Studies
- Research Applications Laboratory