Request to External Reviewers (template letter)

Dear Dr.___________

We are considering Dr.___________ for promotion to the rank of Doherty Research Scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and we would appreciate your comments. This is a research appointment comparable to the rank of Tenured Associate Professor. The promotion to Doherty Research Scientist constitutes advancement to the Senior Staff of the Observatory. It is a promotion step that the candidate must achieve, following a six-year term as a Doherty Associate Research Scientist, in order to remain on the Doherty Research staff at the Observatory.

Appointment to this level of our research staff depends on the candidate having demonstrated a record of outstanding contribution to science through excellent, productive and independent research. In your judgment, the candidate should show creative scholarly productivity as evidenced by publications, prominence and recognition within the relevant scientific community and ability to generate and maintain funding independently. Development and implementation of important research and education initiatives, as well as technical innovation in the pursuit of science will also be considered a noteworthy criteria for the promotion.

Since this appointment is critical to the research and academic progress of the Observatory and has financial support from the Observatory, we do rely on what we believe to be your familiarity with the candidate’s standing within this field of research and your good judgment of the quality of the candidate’s work to guide us in this decision. Any appropriate comparisons that you can make with the candidate’s peers would be particularly valued. Your comments will weigh heavily in the decision of the Executive Committee and Senior Staff of the Observatory in this matter.

If possible, we would like to have your response by (1 month from the date of the letter). If you prefer you may respond via email to mpurdy@ldeo.columbia.edu. If you have any questions or cannot respond by (1 month from the date of the letter), please contact me as soon as possible.

With appreciation for allowing us to impose on your time.

Sincerely,

G. Michael Purdy
Director

Attn.

Excerpt – LDEO By-Laws – Promotion to DRS*
Promotion portfolio

* The excerpt from the LDEO Bylaws explains LDEO promotion policies & procedures to external reviewers.