1998 ALS Scientific Advisory Committee Recommendations: PRT Review Process
In its June 1998 report, the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) recommended a new Participating Research Team (PRT) tenure review process at the ALS. The new process, described below, is a modified version of the one recommended by the committee in order to incorporate a PRT rebuttal process.
The PRT Review Process
The review process is initiated with the following steps:
- ALS management informs SAC of an upcoming review.
- SAC appoints one of its members to head the PRT tenure review panel.
- The review panel head and ALS management select several (3-5) review panel members who could either be SAC members or recognized experts in a given field.
- A review date is set.
The PRT prepares for the review by submitting the following material to the review panel:
1. A description of the original PRT program and whether and how it has changed with time. The following points should be addressed:
- Scientific areas of research.
- Technical beamline and endstation specifications, performance and planned upgrades. Summary of past, present and future funding.
- Criteria for PRT membership.
- Active personnel in the PRT.
- Management and beamtime allocation.
2. A short description of the scientific highlights of the performed research. Emphasis should be on the big picture, not on details, i.e., why are the results significant or important?
3. A description of the PRT's future plans addressing each item from point 1 (above), and the proposed scientific program.
4. A list of publications resulting from work performed under the PRT program.
The PRT spokesperson is invited to the review for an oral presentation
of the PRT scientific program.
The review will be based on the submitted material and oral presentations by the PRT members. The review panel prepares a short written report based on the following four evaluation criteria:
- Scientific Excellence (30 points maximum)
- Suitability for Third-Generation Source (30 points maximum)
- Human and Financial Resources (20 points maximum)
- Management and Commitment (20 points maximum)
The PRT is given the panel report and allowed sufficient time to rebut any potential issues in the report.
The report is presented to SAC by the head of the review panel. At the review:
- Members of the PRT are invited to attend the review.
- SAC makes a tenure recommendation to ALS management.