Superannuation and Remuneration

Superannuation

While the Head of School role does not constitute a formal promotion, it is treated as a higher-level temporary appointment for salary and pension contributions. Therefore, superannuation contributions will be deducted based on the full higher salary for the duration of the appointment (see here). This is consistent with the treatment of temporary promotions under the University's Pay Upon Promotion procedures. Staff in the Public Service Single Pension Scheme will be able to reckon these contributions in the calculation of referable amounts. For members of pre-existing schemes, benefits will be calculated by reference to actual pensionable pay at retirement.  

Incremental Credit

Upon appointment to the temporary role as Head of School, the postholder’s remuneration will increase to the scale above their substantive position. Please see example below, demonstrating incremental credit as it applies to the Head of School receiving the benefit of being placed on the higher scale of Associate Professor for the duration of their appointment.

Associate Professor appointed to Head of School role - Scenario 1

Current salary – Point 1 of Associate Professor scale currently 89,295

Head of School Salary 

Year 1 - Point 1 of Professor scale = 103,481

Year 2 - Point 2 of Professor scale = 110,435

Year 3 - Point 3 of Professor scale = 117,413 etc

Upon completion of the Head of School role, the individual will revert to their substantive grade and will be placed on the point of scale they would have reached had they remained on their substantive grade during the temporary appointment, thereby retaining full incremental credit for the period served at the higher level. Please see the example below as of 23 May 2025 (based on current salary scales).

Reverts to Previous Role - Substantive Grade

In the example below, the individual has completed their term as Head of School after 3 years in the role and reverts to their substantive grade of Associate Professor, but is placed on point 4 rather than the point they were on at the time of taking up the Head of School appointment. Point 4 of Associate Professor scale = 99,951

Associate Professor appointed to Head of School role - Scenario 2

Please see example below, demonstrating incremental credit as it applies to the Head of School receiving the benefit of being placed on the higher scale of Professor for the duration of their appointment.

Current salary – Point 1 of Associate Professor scale currently 89,295

Head of School Salary 

Year 1 - Point 1 of Professor scale = 103,481

Year 2 - Point 2 of Professor scale = 110,435

Year 3 - Point 3 of Professor scale = 117,413

Year 4 - Point 4 of Professor scale = 124,373

Year 5 - Point 5 of Professor scale = 131,346

Promoted to Professor Grade

Year 6 - Point 6 (max) = 138,313

Formal Promotion and Remuneration

If the postholder successfully undertakes the post for a five-year period and meets the required University standard and criteria for an academic promotion set out in the DCU Academic Development and Promotion Framework (details of which can be found here) at that point, or following a period of sabbatical, they will be offered an opportunity to submit an application and be interviewed for academic promotion. 

In scenario 2 above, remuneration for the permanent promotion will mean the individual will be placed on point 6 (max) = 138,313 of the Professor Grade.

If the Postholder is promoted to a higher academic grade through open competition before the end of their Head of School term, their salary adjustment will reflect the application of the university's Pay Upon Promotion procedure for permanent appointments.

Taking Scenario 2 above, whereby an Associate Professor is appointed to the Head of School role, paid at Professor level, and having served 3 years in the role, they are successful through open competition for a permanent role at the level of Professor. The individual will be remunerated as follows:

Point 3 of Professor scale = 117,413. The nearest point plus one increment will place them on the max of the Professor scale i.e., point 6 = 138,313.