Personnel

Employees fall into the following categories: Administration, Research Scientist staff, Post Doctoral Associates, Graduate Students, and Visiting Fellows. CIMAS also supports undergraduate students and high school students in various capacities, some of them in the context of outreach programs.

The CIMAS administration is comprised of the Director and Associate Director who are assisted by an Administrative Assistant, a Staff Associate and a Staff Assistant.

The distribution of personnel in CIMAS are shown here.

The Research Scientist staff consists of individuals who posses specialized research skills. They are employed by CIMAS specifically to complement existing expertise at NOAA and RSMAS and to carry out collaborative research under CIMAS Themes. The University has a well-delineated series of employment categories that allow for professional advancement in the research ranks. A complete description of these tracks can be found on the University web site

"Policies and Procedures"

"Human Resources - Research Employee"

"Classification and Employment Status"

Most CIMAS employees are hired in Track 1 positions. Track I appointments are a sequence of five positions targeted for advanced technical or scientific staff who are required for the support of research activities at the University. These positions constitute the normal research classification progression at the University of Miami. Advanced education, continuing professional achievement, and/or increased experience are the basis for advancement to a higher level position. The job titles in Track 1 are: Research Associate, Senior Research Associate, Assistant Scientist, Associate Scientist, and Scientist. The rank of Research Associate is the entry level Research position. The appointee must possess a Bachelor's degree and have a minimum of one year of job-related experience. The lowest ranks are available to persons who have special skills required for the support of scientific research including technical expertise in (among others) computer skills, information technology, chemical analysis techniques, and methods of data base analysis. The higher ranks provide for the hire of persons with advanced degrees and professional experience. These ranks (Assistant Scientist, Associate Scientist, Scientist) are structured to parallel those of the research faculty at the University (i.e., Assistant Research Professor, Associate Research Professor, Research Professor). The highest rank, Scientist, must possess a doctoral degree and have a minimum of ten years of post-doctoral experience; appointees are expected to have international recognition in their field.. Track I research positions are eligible for cash awards through the CIMAS Awards Policy.

CIMAS supports a number of graduate students and post-doctoral associates. Post Doctoral Research Associates are generally hired for periods of 2 years for specific research projects carried out in NOAA laboratories. Graduate students also participate in many CIMAS research projects.

Last, CIMAS offers a Visiting Scientist program. This activity brings scientists to the School for periods of time ranging from several days to several months. During this time they present seminars, meet with graduate students, and work with scientists at RSMAS and the local NOAA laboratories. A list of visiting scientists and the seminars presented during the past five years is shown here.