Demonstrator Elevation Guidelines

Overview of the Demonstrator Elevation Process

Elevation, or movement to the next demonstrator level (e.g., from Level 1 to Level 2), is on the recommendation of the department chair/office head. It varies from a promotion, which is a change in academic rank, e.g., from Assistant to Associate Professor, in that it does not require a formal portfolio.

 Faculty who will be eligible to move to the next Demonstrator level should notify their Department chair 6 months prior. Elevations requests are processed twice per year, in January and August, and will be effective July 1 and January 1 respectively.

 Elevation requires fulfilment of the education standard, experience standard and acceptable performance in the role. Acceptable performance includes demonstrable competence, evidence of professional growth and development and full involvement in departmental or service activities.

Details and timeframe

There are 4 levels within the Demonstrator rank: numbered from 1 (entry) to 4. Elevation to the next level is by recommendation of the Department chair/Office head. Elevation does not require submission of a formal portfolio. The elevation is at the discretion of the Department Chair, with corresponding budgetary approval from the Senior Associate Dean of Basic Sciences. Applications for elevation will be submitted by the Chair in January or July each year and will be effective from July 1 or January 1 respectively (i.e., 6 months after the initial application). 

Candidates who will be eligible to move to the next level should notify their Department chair/Office head 6 months prior to the date they intend to submit on. 

Elevation to the next Demonstrator level is dependent on fulfilment of all criteria listed below:

1. Meeting the required education standard: Bachelors degree
2. Meeting the required experience standard of 2 years in previous level within current rank in the SOM , by July 1st or January 1st, as relevant to date of submission)
3. Acceptable performance, as assessed by the department chair/unit Office head.
   1. Performance components and expected standards will vary with the exact role and will be determined and communicated by the Department chair/office head, but should include:
      1. Demonstrable competence
      2. Evidence of professional growth and development, e.g., involvement in faculty professional development programs, workshops, or online courses/certificates
      3. Full involvement in support of departmental/unit/office educational and service activities

The Department chair/Office head will meet with the faculty member to determine that 1-3 above have been satisfactorily met, after which they can make a recommendation in writing to the Senior Associate Dean of Basic Sciences for elevation of the faculty member.

Requests for elevation will be submitted in January or July of each year and will be effective from July 1 for January applications, or January 1 the following year for July applications. Elevation requests submitted outside of this time will not be considered. Unsatisfactory performance area(s) may result in a delayed recommendation for elevation from the Department chair/Office head. Feedback as to how to remediate these performance deficiencies will be communicated in writing to the faculty member when they initially notify their Chair that they will be applying for elevation and will state the next year in which the faculty member will be eligible to reapply.

Movement from Demonstrator to Instructor

There is no direct elevation or promotion pathway from Demonstrator level 4 to Instructor. To obtain an Instructor role within or external to the Department/Office, the following process would apply:

• Faculty member would apply for an advertised position, and proceed as per the usual hiring process
• If offered the position, they would resign from their demonstrator role and move into the new Instructor position.

Demonstrators who intend to apply for an academic position are encouraged to meet with their Chair/Office head and review the rank and track criteria to guide their CV development.

Terminology:

• Elevation: movement from one level to another within Demonstrator rank, e.g., Level 1 to 2
• Level: defined salary step within Demonstrator rank
• Promotion: change in academic rank from, e.g., Assistant to Associate professor that is dependent on submission of a formal portfolio detailing the criteria for that track and review by the SOM Senate ad hoc promotions subcommittee.

The exact breakdown of an individual’s FTE will be determined and communicated by the Chair.