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Honorary Research Appointments for NHS staff in the
Lancaster Health Hub within the Faculty of Health and
Medicine
General Principles
Guidance for the process of honorary research appointments for NHS staff in the Lancaster Health
Hub within the Faculty of Health and Medicine at Lancaster University is linked to the University’s
broad appointment criteria. http://www.lancs.ac.uk/hr/recruitment/files/honguide.html
The expected benefits of honorary appointments to the University and the Faculty include
collaborative research leading to external funding and impact, high quality publications and other
outputs, contributions to teaching or supervision, and other forms of reputation enhancement. The
appointee is expected to represent Lancaster University within his/her professional community and
discipline, and to support the delivery of University strategies and policies pertinent to their field.
The University will not normally offer an honorary appointment to an individual holding an
honorary appointment at another university, but exceptions may be negotiated on an individual
basis.
All appointments are for a fixed 3 year period. They will then be reviewed to assess the mutual
benefits of the appointment, and to inform a decision regarding its renewal.
1. Facilities & Responsibilities
Appointees will have free use of Library facilities, an email account, access to appropriate IT
facilities, and access to University meetings and seminars as appropriate. The Faculty will
endeavour to provide hot-desking space on campus. It is expected that the appointee will make a
substantial contribution to academic life including campus-based activity.
Appointees are required to observe University Rules and Regulations, including those relating to
professional conduct.
2. Appointment Criteria
The levels of NHS appointments associated with honorary research titles are shown in the table
below.
Appointments at Professorial level will be for senior staff with an established research record and
reputation who make a significant contribution to the University's research profile and
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performance, for example through obtaining significant funding for collaborative projects, and
leading or enabling the translation and impact of the University’s research in NHS settings.
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Honorary Research Appointments for NHS staff
NHS Position
Medical and Health
professionals non-consultant grade.
Consultant or General
Practitioner or Senior
Health Professional
Consultant or General
Practitioner or Senior
Health Professional
Consultant or General
Practitioner or Senior
Health Professional
Qualification
Appropriate professional
qualification and
experience
Appropriate professional
qualification and
experience
Appropriate professional
qualification and
experience including a
postgraduate
qualification
(Masters/MD/PhD)
Appropriate professional
qualification and
experience including a
postgraduate research
degree (MD/PhD)
Evidence
Actively involved in collaborative research with
Lancaster University
University Appointment
Honorary Researcher
Actively involved in collaborative research with
Lancaster University.
Honorary Lecturer
Peer-reviewed research publications.
Actively involved in collaborative research with
Lancaster University.
Honorary Senior Lecturer
Peer-reviewed research publications
Lead investigator on externally-funded research
studies.
Actively involved in collaborative research with
Lancaster University
Strong record of peer-reviewed research
publications and funding
Lead (Chief) investigator on externally-funded
research studies.
Established national/international research
reputation.
Honorary Professor
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Exceptional Appointment Criteria
The Faculty of Health and Medicine endeavours to support activities that strengthen and
reinforce knowledge exchange and engagement in collaborative research between the
University and the NHS. Therefore, in addition to the above criteria, the University will
consider exceptional applications from clinicians who can demonstrate clear evidence of an
enabling role between the University and their organisation. Criteria are as follows:

Applicants with a significant leadership role in clinical practice

Institutional responsibility for facilitating, enabling and championing research with
Lancaster University

Clear evidence of achievement in facilitating, enabling and championing collaborative
health research between their institution and Lancaster University. Evidence may
include; new collaborative research initiatives, mechanisms to facilitate crossinstitutional engagement, coordination and development of cross-institutional research
strategy and themes, etc.
Applications under Exceptional Appointment Criteria will be considered on their individual
merits by the Faculty of Health and Medicine. Applicants may apply for honorary Clinical
Lecturer or Senior Clinical Lecturer honorary appointments only under these criteria. The
Faculty will not consider honorary professorial appointments through this route. Those who
wish to apply for an honorary chair should meet the tabulated criteria and the procedures
outlined below. All other procedures and conditions of appointment outlined in sections 4-7
below apply.
4. Appointment Procedures
1. Nominees for honorary appointments will be assessed by the NHS Trust’s R&D committee,
or by the Medical Director and R&D Director. This process will include assessing the
appropriateness of the case in terms of the Trust’s strategy and policy, as well as in terms
of the potential of the applicant to meet the academic criteria.
2. Applicants who fulfil the NHS Trust’s criteria and who may meet the University’s academic
criteria will be recommended by the NHS Trust for consideration by the University.
3. The NHS Trust will submit the proposed case(s) to the Dean of the Faculty of Health and
Medicine. This will include the strategic case for the appointment, the candidate’s
curriculum vitae, and a supporting statement from the NHS Trust.
4. Applications should be submitted to the Faculty on an annual basis (deadline to be
confirmed in each annual cycle – usually around July of each year). The Faculty will not
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consider applications at any other time. Please note that consideration of applications and
notification of outcome can be a lengthy process.
The Faculty can provide advice to NHS Trusts on the nomination and selection process at any time.
Please note that NHS endorsement of candidates does not guarantee appointment.
For appointments other than Professors, the case will be considered at Faculty level.
For appointments at Professorial Level, the case will be considered by the relevant University
Committee.
References
The following documents are required for all honorary appointments:

A reference from the lead collaborator/Principal Investigator at the University.

A letter of support from the NHS Trust Medical Director – including details of the
arrangements for enabling the candidate to fulfil their academic role within their job plan,
and how this will be recognised by the NHS Trust.

A letter of support from the NHS Trust R&D Director – including details of how the R&D
Directorate will support the role from key scientific and governance perspectives.
Note: If the applicant is a Medical or R&D Director a single letter of support should be
provided as appropriate.

Where applicants are seeking honorary Professorships, additional references will also be
taken up by the University Chairs and Readerships Committee.
5. Review and Renewal of Appointments
There must be demonstrable benefit to the Faculty and the University in making and supporting an
honorary research appointment. Research contributions expected of the appointee will be agreed
prior to appointment and will inform the review and renewal process. This may reflect past and
continued significant contribution to the University and anticipation of future benefit. Successful
applicants will be awarded honorary appointments for 3 years in the first instance.
Informal academic support will be provided by a designated academic partner, usually reflecting
established collaborative research relationships. Honorary appointments involving NHS staff within
member organisations of the Lancaster Health Hub will be supported by the Director of the Hub (or
equivalent), and informally reviewed by the NHS Trust Medical Director and/or R&D Director, and
the Director of the Hub (or equivalent) annually. This will include a brief report of research,
innovation and engagement activities over the preceding year.
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Appointments will be considered for renewal at the end of each 3-year period, taking account of
the contribution of the individual to the University and the NHS Trust. A statement of application
for renewal, supported by the NHS Trust Medical Director and/or R&D Director and relevant
evidence, will be submitted to the Dean of Faculty.
6. Fees/Payment
Honorary appointments are unpaid. It is expected that costs of bench fees will normally be met
from external grants and awards.