The Office of Academic Affairs
The Career Series: Strategies for Success on the tenure track
The PSOM Committee on Appointments and Promotions Office of Academic Affairs
Tenure Track At-a-Glance
Tenure Track faculty include MD/PhDs and PhDs* who drive new areas of research and methods on most of their projects as PI or one of multiple PIs. Research is a primary focus of position and tenure track faculty should be fully funded as PI on non-career development grants for most of their career.
PSOM's Tripartite Mission
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
CLINICAL
*This is a general statement, not a requirement or policy.
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Nine Year Probationary Period
Clinician Educator, Research, Tenure Physician Scientist
10
Promotion
Appointment
Reappointment
#1
Final year, if not promoted
Reappointment
#2
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Tenure Track Milestones: Physician Scientist
first appointment cycle as Assistant Professor
End of Year 3
Educational
Citizenship
Invited Talks
Research
Clinical
Appointment
Pubs
Reappoint #1
No Professionalism Issues
Complete onboarding for teaching program
PI career development award
Join research societies and review for journals
At regional (non-Penn community)
Work with your mentors to set goals*
Establish clinical expertise
Apply for federal funding
Find teaching niche
Join Richard’s Society or local writing community
*Appropriate # of pubs will depend upon field and career emphases
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Tenure Track Milestones: Physician Scientist
second appointment cycle as Assistant Professor
End of Year 6
Reappoint #1
Educational
Citizenship
Invited Talks
Research
Clinical
Pubs
Reappoint #2
No Professionalism Issues
Engage with learners in at least two categories
Continue to evolve scientific independence
Pursue leadership activities
Regional or National
Work with your mentors to set goals*
Hone clinical expertise
Begin to mentor research trainees and junior faculty
*Appropriate # of pubs will depend upon field and career emphases
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Seven Year Probationary Period
Tenure Basic Scientist
7
Appointment
Final year, if not promoted
Promotion
Reappointment #1
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Tenure Track Milestones: Basic Scientist
End of Year 3
first appointment cycle as Assistant Professor
Appointment
Reappoint #1
Citizenship
Educational
Invited Talks
Research
Pubs
No Professionalism Issues
PI career development award
Complete onboarding for teaching program
Join research societies and review for journals
2-3 local or regional (non-Penn community)
Work with your mentors to set goals
Apply for other funding (NIH, pharma, foundational, Intramural)
High quality publications, transitioning from First Author to Senior Author in original research
Join Richard Society or local writing community
Find teaching niche
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Advisory Letters
from PSOM COAP to department chair after a reappointment review
Education
Invited Talks
Citizenship
Publications
"Advisory letters are intended to be helpful guidance for the faculty member, mentors, and the Department Chair."
-Roderic Eckenhoff, MD, Co-Chair of PSOM COAP
Quality of teaching
Concern about quantity or impact
Build national/inter reputation with leadership roles in societies and study sections and editorial roles
Concern about trajectory of and impact of scholarship
Combination of Reasons
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Talking Points on “Going Up Early”
“Early” Promotion
When you’re ready, you’re ready
Department should propose candidate when they meet “the bar”
Mitigating circumstances may be considered
Time in equivalent rank at prior institution is considered
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Promotion Principles
from the Faculty Handbook
Intellectual leadership
Exceptional recognition by colleagues
Enhancement of University prestige
Promotion is not a recognition of length of service, but rather of one’s impact over time.
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
COAP Guidelines
Institutional Citizenship and Professionalism
demonstrated participation in service relevant to a faculty member’s academic activities and to the missions of the school and university.
exemplary behavior, including the demonstration of honesty and integrity, respect for patients, colleagues, staff and learners, evidence of continuous learning and self-management toward a goal of personal betterment, encouragement of questions, debate and acceptance of diverse viewpoints without prejudice or bias.
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Holistic Review of Impact
A holistic approach enables reviewers to evaluate the individual trajectory and impact of one’s career.
Each candidate for promotion will have generated a highly unique set of contributions that will be independently evaluated.
Evidence of continuous scholarly productivity
Research consistent with PSOM’s mission with an upward trajectory of achievements over time
Contributions to the development of innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease, technology applications, and new models of care
Community engagement is considered when it is aligned with the candidate’s academic work
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Clinical Impact
Awards and leadership roles related to clinical expertise
Expertise
Recognition
Invitations to share expertise through talks, chapters, clinical reviews
Service on committees in area of clinical expertise
Regional, national and international patient referrals
Clinical Advancement
Applications of tech and/or models of delivery that improve care
Engagement/collaboration in clinical trials
Cont to dev: innovations in diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Impact Examples
- Awards
- Development of educational products
- Direct teaching (lectures, ...)
- Evaluations
- Innovation in methods or application of methods
- Invited lectures
- Involvement in local mentoring programs (IDE outreach)
- Leadership roles/substantive participation in programs or committees
- Participation in CME, research, and interprofessional meetings
- Successful mentorship record
Education Categories
Contributing to the Education Mission
Educational Leadership & Administration
Educational Scholarship
Mentoring & Advising
Curriculum Development
Learner Assessment
Teaching*
*Includes lecturing, facilitating small groups & seminars, clinical teaching. Faculty may contribute 100% of their effort in the Teaching category, or, depending upon department needs, they may engage with learners in both Teaching and additional Education Categories.
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Impact Examples
- Academic awards
- Authorship
- Citations of work
- Contribution to work
- Editorial leadership roles
- External lectures and invited talks
- Grant funding
- Identifiable contributions to team science
- Participation in study sections, organizing committees, etc.
- Patents and commercialization aligned with primary research program
- Peer reviewed research papers
Scholarly Impact
Evidence of continuous scholarly productivity
Totality of the impact of a candidate’s body of work
Demonstration of impact requires evidence of successful translation of new knowledge into new approaches, techniques, devises, programs, etc.
University of Pennsylvania | Perelman School of Medicine | Office of Academic Affairs
Education
Scholarship
Networking
Administrative
Clinical / Clinical Support
Resources
Strategies & Best Practices
Stay Organized
Record all education effort in real time (Education Workbook)
Set realistic goals w/timelines
Set self-imposed deadlines and work backward
Join a writing community
Provide mentors / reviews ample time for feedback
Seek sponsorship
Offer to take mentor's place for talks they can’t do
Keep a list of colleagues who comment positively on your talks or other contributions
Consider social media to extend pub reach
Contribute to the department’s clinical mission per Academic Plan. Attend and contribute to clinical conferences, grand rounds, tumor boards, etc
Reach out to your department faculty development team (EO, faculty coordinator, etc.)
Explore PSOM Cores and other Research Resources
Work with mentor to identify and prioritize committee work, etc.
Resources
