Casual employment of HDR candidates guideline

Intent and objectives

Access to opportunities for employment and the development of professional skills related to that employment, are important aspects of HDR candidates’ learning and skills acquisition during the term of their candidature. Access to such opportunities is also integral to the quality of the HDR candidature experience provided by RMIT.

HDR candidates may be employed in a range of roles at the University during the term of their candidature including as tutors, demonstrators, other teaching-related roles, research assistants, administrators and other roles according to need and the skill set of the HDR candidates concerned. This statement sets out in broad terms the conditions under which HDR candidates may be considered for employment and some principles which should inform the employment of HDR candidates.

Scope

HDR candidates

Exclusions

HDR candidates already employed as fixed term or continuing academic staff.

Guideline

Conflict of interest

RMIT’s Conflict of Interest Policy applies in all employment circumstances and should be managed in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Procedure. Potential conflict of interest can arise in the employment of HDR candidates where the HDR candidate’s supervisor is the authorising person for their paid employment and the supervisor’s need for work to be undertaken and completed may be in conflict with the best interests of the candidate.

Recruitment

Schools may develop their own methods of recruiting and alerting HDR candidates to employment opportunities within the School, however it is suggested that the School notify their HDR candidates of employment opportunities as they arise and give preference in selection to HDR candidates when opportunities to tutor and other teaching-related roles arise.

Tutoring load

HDR candidates are generally encouraged to take up opportunities as they become available for tutoring as appropriate to enhance their professional development during candidature. The employment and tutoring load however should not compromise the HDR candidate’s capacity to progress to completion. The number of hours of paid employment undertaken by HDR candidates on scholarships should be in accordance with scholarship conditions regarding employment.

It is generally recommended that HDR candidates not be employed within the School when six months or less into their candidature or within six months of submission of their thesis/project due to the potential impact on their capacity to progress to completion. It is recognised that there may be valid cases for doing so according to individual circumstances.

Approval of the HDR candidate’s appointment requires the candidate’s Senior Supervisor’s endorsement.

Professional teaching development

Where HDR candidates are appointed as tutors or other teaching-related roles, candidates should be directed to and provided with appropriate professional development At minimum, HDR candidates should complete the Learning and Teaching webpage ‘Quick guide for Sessional Staff’ and Teaching @ University on-line training module.

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