Band summaries

Our professors are banded according to the level at which they are working and their contribution to the University.

The band summaries are below:

Band I

Individuals have an international reputation in their field and demonstrate academic leadership in their discipline both within the University – through guidance of postdoctoral researchers, management of staff, research projects and contracts, and departmental/University contribution – and externally, where recognition often extends beyond academia, through advising or giving expert opinion. The role is in some cases focussed mainly on either teaching or research, but in the majority of cases combines significant high-impact research with consistently effective teaching, particularly of postgraduate students.

Band I is the normal entry band for newly promoted or appointed professors. It is also sufficiently broad to allow progression within the band as professors develop their career and standing.

Band II

Professors who reach this band are working at a level significantly higher than the entry level for a Sheffield professor. Individuals have a sustained record of internationally-recognised achievement in their field; their expertise is in significant demand from partners within or beyond academia and/or they are asked to fulfil major international roles within the discipline.

Some professors may progress from Band I, their role having grown sufficiently to be recognised in this way. Senior lecturers or readers are not promoted directly to Band II. External appointments are only made to Band II where the professor is already well established at another institution, or working at a comparable level outside academia.

Band III

This band is reserved for a small number of professors who bring great prestige to the University through their sustained record of academic achievement at the highest international level. This may take the form of leadership of world-leading research, election to the most prestigious learned societies, a leading role in high-impact interdisciplinary collaborations with a broad range of academic, industrial or governmental partners, or a position of unequivocal international authority.

Band III professors may have progressed from Band II, or in exceptional circumstances may have been appointed directly to this band. External appointments are only made to Band III where the professor has international status of the highest level. Authority from the Senior Remuneration Committee is required to appoint to Band III.