POLICY

A. Purpose

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) employs persons in one of many different appointment types. This policy describes the terms and conditions of a visiting researcher appointment. For visiting faculty positions, see the Visiting Faculty policy.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to non-represented employees. Represented employees should consult their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

C. Exceptions

Requests that exceed what is allowed under current policy or that are not expressly addressed by current policy are considered exceptions to policy. A request for an exception to policy requires, at a minimum, the approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

D. Policy Statement

1. Visiting Researcher Appointment¹
   1. Visiting researchers are individuals who are on an approved leave from their home institution. The home institution does not need to be a university or college, nor does the individual have to be a faculty member of any institution.
   2. The approved leave is confirmed in a letter from the home institution that provides the dates of the leave, full salary of the individual, and what, if any, portion of the salary will be paid by the home institution during the leave. A letter is not required for a faculty member from outside the University of California system who is at Berkeley Lab for the summer intersession only. If the stay continues into the fall term, a letter is required.
   3. The division director makes visiting researcher appointments. A search is not required.
   4. Duration. The duration of the appointment will be between three and 12 months at 100% time. The initial appointment is not to exceed one year but may be extended for a second year on an exception basis with the approval of the CHRO and the Laboratory Deputy Director for Research. If the appointment extends into a second year, and was not included in the initial letter, a new letter of confirmation is required from the home institution. The total length of consecutive service must not exceed two years.  
   5. Salary. Salary is determined on a case-by-case basis.
   6. Qualifications. Qualifications for a visiting researcher are appropriate to the work to be performed. In most cases, they will be analogous to the qualifications for a scientist/engineer position. (See the Appointments, Scientist & Engineer policy.)
   7. Benefits. Visiting researchers are eligible for mid-level benefits. They are not eligible for participation in UCRP membership.
2. Conversion to Career or Term. A visiting researcher may not convert to a term or career appointment without an open recruitment.
3. Termination of Appointment
   1. The division director may terminate a visiting researcher appointment at any time.
   2. A visiting researcher appointment will automatically terminate on the last day of the appointment unless there is an earlier separation or formal extension of the appointment in writing.

1. As of July 1, 2020, the visiting researcher appointment will appear as the "floater" employee classification in UCPath. Berkeley Lab policy, rather than UC policy, will apply to floater appointments at Berkeley Lab.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, supervisors, and employees have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

F. Definitions/Acronyms

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

None

H. Implementing Documents

I. Contact Information

For more information, contact your division's Human Resources Field team. 
Feedback on HR policies or procedures is welcomed. Send comments to [email protected].

J. Revision History

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Source Requirements Documents

• University of California Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 230, Visiting Appointments