Faculty Competitive Search Waiver Guidance

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.  Faculty positions typically require a rigorous national search as outlined in [Policy 4.6]. Under limited circumstances, departments may request a waiver of the competitive search requirement.

What is a Search Waiver?

A search waiver allows hiring for a specific faculty appointment without an open recruitment process. Waivers are considered only for the following situations:

• External Search Agency– Department used an external agency for an open search (documentation required).
• Faculty Evergreen Search– Candidate identified through an Evergreen requisition in iCIMS (include the Evergreen requisition number).
• Paid temporary faculty or faculty equivalent
• Interdepartmental Promotion/Reclassification– Appointment changes such as track change or part-time to full-time.
• Interfolio / Facet Open Search– Open search conducted via Interfolio (include requisition number and link).
• Special Emergency Need (Hire within 2 weeks)– Critical, unforeseen need requiring hire within two weeks (e.g., faculty attrition, urgent teaching/clinical need).
• Spousal Hire– Appointment of a spouse/partner to support recruitment or retention (must meet qualifications; contingent on associated hire).
• Target of Opportunity / Uniquely Qualified– Exceptional candidate whose expertise significantly advances the University’s mission.

Eminent Scholar Waivers

Reserved for distinguished scholars or leaders with extraordinary qualifications. Requests must include detailed justification and evidence of academic stature (e.g., major awards, endowed positions, citations). Candidates must meet at least two-thirds of the criteria defined by the school. These waivers are reviewed case-by-case by the Office of Faculty Affairs.