How to Apply for a Promotion
If you believe you meet the promotion criteria outlined below, we invite you to submit your application for promotion. The deadline to apply is July 30, 2025. Please note that applications are reviewed on an annual basis.
Promotion Documents
To apply for promotion, submit the documents listed below to Udani Perera by July 30, 2025.
You may submit documents individually as they are ready. Receipt of documents will be confirmed as they are received, including undergraduate teaching assessments received directly from the Dean’s Office.
- Letter of Intent: A statement expressing your interest in advancement and summarizing your accomplishments since your [last promotion/initial appointment].
- Letter of Support: A letter from your Hospital Department Head endorsing your application. If unavailable, a letter from your direct clinical supervisor will suffice. (Letters of Support may be submitted directly to Udani).
- Curriculum Vitae: An up-to-date CV in UBC Abbreviated Format.
- Teaching Assessments: A minimum of 5 teaching evaluations since your [last promotion/initial appointment]. If unable to attain 5 evaluations, please provide an explanation in your Letter of Intent.
- Additional Materials: Any supplementary documents, such as letters of reference, teaching dossiers, or commendations, that demonstrate your qualifications for promotion.
- For applicants seeking the rank of Clinical Professor, please include 2 additional Letters of Reference.
What other materials can I submit to strengthen my promotion application?
You are welcome to submit additional materials that demonstrate your qualifications for promotion to the next rank of Clinical Faculty. Examples of these materials include:
- Letters of reference (Letters of reference may be submitted directly to Udani).
- A teaching dossier
- Commendations or awards
- Any other documents that highlight your contributions and accomplishments
These materials can strengthen your application and provide further evidence of your suitability for promotion.
What are the general criteria for promotion?
Clinical faculty members typically need to serve for a minimum of two years as Clinical Instructors and five years in other ranks before they can be considered for promotion. This period allows candidates to demonstrate their contributions and readiness for advancement to the next rank.
The department encourages individuals to apply for a promotion if they believe they meet the criteria for advancement. However, we recommend reviewing your work since the start of your current appointment to ensure it aligns with the requirements for Clinical Faculty promotion.
Promotion criteria primarily focus on your activities and achievements since the start of your current appointment, particularly in teaching and professional contributions.
What are the advantages of being promoted?
Clinical Faculty who are promoted to Assistant Professor or a higher rank are eligible to apply for the VCHRI and MSHRBC Investigator Awards, as well as the Faculty of Medicine New Faculty Research Award.
What are the requirements for promotion to each rank?
Clinical Assistant Professor
- Demonstrate at least two years of consistent contributions in areas such as teaching, research, administration, and community outreach.
- Contribute over 50 hours of academic work within the last two years.
- The following qualifications are required:
- Positive teaching evaluations (five or more).
- Participation in research or collaborative studies.
- Serving in a formal leadership position.
For more information, please review the criteria for the ranking of Clinical Assistant Professor.
Clinical Associate Professor
- Candidates must have at least 5 years of consistent contributions in academic work.
- They should have contributed over 50 hours of academic work within the last 2 years.
- Effective teaching must be demonstrated through positive evaluations (five or more).Participation in research or collaborative studies is required, along with publications or presentations.
- Candidates must meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Develop expertise in a specific field (e.g., toxicology, emergency medical services).
- Contribute to educational programs (e.g., simulation, ultrasound).
- Be invited to speak at professional meetings.
- Hold administrative roles in professional or educational organizations.
For more information, please review the criteria for the ranking of Clinical Associate Professor.
Clinical Professor
- Demonstrate leadership in at least two of the following areas:
- Have a minimum of 5 years of consistent contributions to academic work.
- Engage in clinical teaching, which includes supervising students and residents.
- Contribute over 50 hours of academic work in the past 2 years.
- Exhibit effective teaching with at least 5 positive evaluations.
- Participate in clinical or academic administration, including leadership roles in committees or policy decisions.
- Take a leadership role in research, demonstrated through publications or presentations.
- Be recognized as an outstanding clinician by peers.
- Contribute to provincial, national, or international professional organizations.
For more information, please review the criteria for the ranking of Clinical Professor.
How to obtain Teaching Assessments
- For undergraduate teaching assessments in all departments of the Faculty of Medicine, please complete the report request form to obtain student feedback on teaching.
- For postgraduate teaching assessments within the Department of Emergency Medicine, please email emergency.residency@ubc.ca with your hospital site and desired date range.
- For postgraduate teaching assessments in other departments, please contact the relevant department directly.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Udani Perera.
How do teaching evaluations affect the promotion process? Why are teaching assessments essential for promotion?
Teaching assessments offer important feedback on teaching effectiveness and play a crucial role in evaluating a candidate’s readiness for promotion.
- Teaching evaluations are essential for all promotion levels.
- A minimum of five evaluations or peer assessments is required.
- If a candidate has fewer than five evaluations, they must provide an explanation in their Letter of Intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical time frame for receiving a promotion?
- Clinical Assistant Professor: Typically requires 2 or more years.
- Clinical Associate Professor: Typically requires 5 or more years.
- Clinical Professor: Usually requires 5 or more years, with an emphasis on leadership and significant contributions to the field.
Is participating in research essential for obtaining a promotion?
Research is a crucial factor, particularly for promotions to Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Professor.
- Engage as a primary investigator or participate in collaborative studies.
- Publish or present in research and education journals or conferences.
Can I be promoted even if I haven’t held a formal leadership role?
- For the position of Clinical Assistant Professor, leadership experience is one of the criteria; however, other contributions such as teaching and research are also taken into account.
- For promotions to Clinical Associate and Clinical Professor, leadership roles become increasingly important and will strengthen the application.