1 Objective
The purpose of a research and educational leave is to provide an opportunity for uninterrupted research activities, development of educational activities and pedagogical development. The research and educational leave shall be used to concentrate on research projects, the development of international research contacts, professional renewal, development of teaching, subjects and study programs, work on study quality or educational development. All permanent employees in academic positions have the right to apply for a research and educational leave according to the guidelines.
2 Application
An application stating the reasons for the research and educational leave shall be sent to the institute on a separate form. A work schedule stating how the leave is intended to be used shall be submitted with the application. The application deadline is determined by each individual faculty.
3 Allocation
The research and educational leave is allocated by each individual faculty, or possibly by the basic unit if the faculty has so delegated it. The allocation assumes that the basic unit finds the applicant’s work schedule for the leave satisfactory. An applicant who has not fulfilled his or her research and teaching duties over a longer period of time, without a valid reason (particularly onerous work tasks of another sort, illness etc.), can be refused a research and educational leave or can be asked to participate in specific skill development courses or similar. The allocation is normally dependent on the establishment and financing of a satisfactory temporary staffing scheme. Those who work part-time must themselves arrange for leave and salary from their primary employer.
Should a need to prioritize applicants arise, emphasis shall be placed on seniority (cf. item 4), the work schedule submitted, previous research efforts, the need to conduct the work activities at another place than in own institution, particular efforts in teaching, advising or other university activities that are not covered by the provisions of item 4, heavy care duties and the opportunities for women to qualify for top positions. The evaluation shall also take into consideration the working situation at the individual unit and possibly any previous research and educational leaves with other temporary staff financing than the university’s. The individual unit should endeavour to avoid interrupting advisory relationships for masters or doctoral candidates, and should possibly ensure that the advisory tasks can be transferred so that the students/candidates concerned do not suffer. If two applicants are very similar, after a total evaluation of seniority and professional and working criteria, a female applicant shall be preferred over a male applicant.
Any rejection of an application for a research and educational leave may be appealed to a higher authority.
4 Earning seniority
A permanent academic employee earns seniority for two months of a research and educational leave for each year of service when the teaching and administrative duties that ordinarily belong to the position are maintained. The time acquired may be used for a research and educational leave of six months after three years of service, or 12 months after six years of service. When special considerations dictate (e.g. for employees with combined positions), a faculty may grant shorter leave periods, with correspondingly shorter work periods to accumulate the time. A special agreement for elected and employed executives of UiO, entered into on 5 December 2006, gives the Rector, Pro-Rector, Vice Rector and Dean full exemption from teaching and the right to a research and educational leave of one year after the expiration of their period in office. The same is given to heads of institutes who return to their ordinary research positions at UiO. The Pro-Dean may be given an exemption from teaching in a half-time position and the right to a research and educational leave of one year after expiration of the period in office. For further information, see the special agreement for other conditions with respect to executive positions that are less than full-time, and about the when the research and educational leave may be taken.
Absence due to parental leave shall not be deducted when calculating earned seniority. This also applies in cases of adoption, while other leave is not granted a corresponding right.
5 Rights and duties during the leave
The employee is on leave with full pay during his or her research and educational leave. Those who have a research and educational leave shall not accept, without conferring with their institute, other duties that may hinder the purpose of the leave. The employee is exempt from all elected university positions during his or her research and educational leave unless otherwise agreed. During the leave, the employee may locate his or her work at a suitable place other than his or her own institution.
6 Reports
Within a month of the conclusion of the leave, the employee shall send a brief report to the allocating authority about how the leave has been used.
7 Supplementary provisions
The individual faculty may issue provisions that are supplementary to these guidelines.