A UNIVERSITY has defended “bizarre” and “strange” plans for a review which will see 26 research professors required to re-apply for their jobs.

The University and College Union (UCU) said the “bombshell” decision by Teesside University meant affected staff, who are being invited to apply for new roles, would be interviewed and had to justify their recent personal research and any funding bids.

Those who did not want to take part in what it called a “strange performance audit” would be offered a severance package of nine months’ salary to leave.

UCU regional official, Jon Bryan said they were calling for a halt to the process, adding: “There is no reason whatsoever for this bizarre summer audit of professors.

“As term draws to a close staff will be taking stock of their research and making preparations for the new academic year.

“They shouldn’t be hauled in to some make or break assessment exercise.

“The last thing staff need is fears about job security.

“The proposals are also bad news for research students who now don’t know if they’ll have the same supervisor when they return in September.

“This process will do nothing for the university’s reputation at home or abroad, and risks turning staff and students off from considering Teesside in the future.”

A Teesside University spokesman said it was disappointed with how the UCU had publicly represented the review.

He said: “We still in early discussions and no element of the process has yet been finalised as this is all subject to consultation.”

The university said it was seeking to expand and strengthen its research activity around its core disciplinary strengths, while building on recent ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ ratings it had gained.

The spokesman added: “As part of these plans, the university is proposing to bring together a range of disparate roles of staff holding the Professorial title, and create a new role of Professor (Research), based around a single, clear and consistent role description for this group of staff and a clear set of expectations which have been agreed by the University Academic Board.

“It is also proposed to move to a single basic salary for all staff holding these new roles, to reflect the enhanced responsibilities of the new role.

“The current proposals will enable all 26 staff affected to apply for appointment to the new role and if they meet the new criteria they will be appointed.

“All current research students will continue to be supported through their studies during these changes.”