What it does: Establishes a type of unpaid faculty position for the spouses or partners of Virginia Tech faculty members.

How it works: Applicants must have academic credentials equivalent to those of university faculty, including the terminal degree normally required of faculty in the discipline, and the endorsement of the head or chair of the department relevant to the applicant’s discipline. Typically, an affiliated research faculty member will have non-salaried adjunct status in the academic department of his/her discipline. Appointment is initiated by the host department submitting a letter of support and a P86 (appointment form), approved by the department head or chair and dean, to the vice president for research. The P86 should stipulate no salary. Appointments are one year (or less) and are renewable. The rank should be the research faculty designation commensurate with the credentials of the candidate. (See section 2.2 of the Special Research Faculty Handbook.)

Who’s eligible: Spouses or partners of Virginia Tech faculty members.

Reference: Faculty Handbook (6.2 Affiliated Research Faculty)