Joint Circular 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV on codes and criteria of titles of scientific and technological public employees

JOINT CIRCULAR

Prescribing codes and criteria of professional titles of scientific and technological public employees

Pursuant to the Law on Public Employees dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to the Law on Science and Technology dated June 18, 2013;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 20/2013/ND-CP dated February 26, 2013, defining the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 58/2014/ND-CP dated June 16, 2014, defining the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 29/2012/ND-CP dated April 12, 2012, providing for the recruitment, employment, and management of public employees;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 40/2014/ND-CP dated May 12, 2014, prescribing the employment of persons in the field of science and technology,

The Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Home Affairs hereby promulgates the Joint Circular prescribing codes and criteria of professional titles of scientific and technological public employees.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation and subjects of application

1. This Joint Circular prescribes codes and criteria of professional titles of scientific and technological public employees.

2. This Joint Circular applies to scientific and technological public employees working in public non-business units and other relevant organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Codes and classification of professional titles of scientific and technological public employees

1. Professional titles of scientific and technological public employees include: Group of scientific research titles and technology titles.

2. The group of scientific research titles includes:

Article 3. General criteria of professional ethics of scientific and technological public employees

1. Having a high sense of responsibility toward the assigned tasks, observing the law; always complying, and fully performing tasks of public employees in their professional activities.

2. Being an honest, united person, with a learning attitude, having a spirit of cooperation and creativity, ready to absorb and learn new things, self-improvement, consciously protecting state secrets in science and technology, ensuring national defense and security.

Chapter II

CRITERIA OF PROFESSIONAL TITLES

Article 4. Senior researcher (class I) - Code: V.05.01.01

1. Tasks:

a) Directly researching, proposing, and assuming the prime responsibility for performing scientific and technological tasks of national, ministerial, provincial levels of ministries, branches, and localities; proposing solutions and organizing to guide, monitor, and assess the application of research results into practice;

b) Researching, proposing, and participating in developing policies, orientations, and plans on the development and application of science and technology of the country, ministries, branches, and localities. Participating in consulting on science and technology tasks at national, ministerial, and provincial levels;

c) Providing professional directions and guidance to principal researchers, researchers, research assistants, and collaborators in performing scientific and technological tasks;

d) Participating in teaching or guiding science for postgraduates, graduate students, students at training institutions;

dd) Assuming the prime responsibility for, and participating in: organizing conferences, seminars, domestic and international academic activities, developing reports on research results, compiling documents to disseminate and widely apply research results into practice.

2. Training and retraining qualification criteria:

a) Having a doctoral degree or higher relevant to the research major;

b) Achieving level-4 foreign language proficiency (B2) as prescribed in the Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2014, of the Ministry of Education and Training, promulgating the 6-level Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages in Vietnam;

c) Having a computer skill that meets the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in the Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, of the Ministry of Information and Communications, providing for information technology skill standards;

d) Possessing a certificate of training for senior researcher (class I).

3. Professional capacity criteria:

a) Firmly grasping the guidelines and policies on socio-economic development of the Party and State, and strategic orientations for science and technology development of the country, branches, and localities. Understanding the achievements of scientific and technological progress and scientific and technological development trends in the country and the world related to the research field;

b) Being capable of in-depth specialized research and interdisciplinary research in the professional field; proposing, advising, and solving strategic issues of central and local; having ability to summarize practices, develop and present strategic scientific research reports in important scientific conferences and seminars; having ability to gather and organize qualified individuals to perform scientific and technological tasks, having ability to link scientific research with training and production;

c) Having experience in scientific research, ability to think independently and creatively, combine theoretical research with practice, experience in cooperation with scientists, international scientific and technological organizations in the professional field; having in-depth specialized knowledge relevant to the assigned tasks and a broad understanding of related specialties;

d) Having presided over or participated in at least 01 national science and technology task (or at least 02 ministerial and provincial science and technology tasks) which was accepted at a pass level or higher, and participated in at least 02 science and technology tasks at the ministerial or provincial level, which were accepted at a pass level or higher; either (co-)author or (co-)editor of at least 01 monograph and author of at least 01 scientific article published in an international journal with international standard codes for multi-volume publications (ISSN) (or at least 06 scientific articles published in domestic specialized journals on the list of specialized journals that are awarded points for converted scientific works when considering and recognizing standards for a professor or associate professor title of the State Council for Professor Titles);

dd) A public employee who is promoted from principal researcher title to senior researcher title (class I) must have held the principal researcher title (class II) or equivalent title for at least 6 (six) years, in which the most recent time holding the principal researcher title (class II) is at least 2 (two) years.

Article 5. Principal researcher (class II) - Code: V.05.01.02

1. Tasks:

a) Assuming the prime responsibility for performing ministerial and provincial science and technology tasks or participating in the performance of national science and technology tasks;

b) Assuming the prime responsibility for organizing research groups and providing professional guidance for researchers, research assistants, collaborators performing science and technology development research contents;

c) Taking responsibility for solving major problems in assigned science and technology tasks; writing reports on research results, application processes, compiling documents in order to disseminate and widely and effectively apply research results for production and life; guiding, monitoring, and evaluating the application of research results into practice;

d) Participating in developing policies, plans, and measures to implement science and technology activities of ministries, branches, localities, and units; participating in holding scientific conferences and specialized academic activities; participating in counseling scientific and science and technology tasks; participating in teaching and guiding science for graduate students, students at training institutions.

2. Training and retraining qualification criteria:

a) Having a master's degree or higher relevant to the research major;

b) Achieving level-3 foreign language proficiency (B1) as prescribed in the Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2014, of the Ministry of Education and Training, promulgating the 6-level Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages in Vietnam;

c) Having a computer skill that meets the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in the Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, of the Ministry of Information and Communications, providing for information technology skill standards;

d) Possessing a certificate of training for principal researchers (class II).

3. Professional capacity criteria:

a) Firmly grasping the guidelines and policies on socio-economic development of the Party and State, understanding the achievements  and trends of scientific and technological development, and important scientific and technological progress in the country and the world related to the research field; understanding the management, research method, information process, and science and technology result assessment;

b) Mastering and being able to competently apply theories and methods of scientific research; having in-depth specialized knowledge in accordance with assigned tasks and basic knowledge of a number of related specialties;

c) Having the ability to propose and identify research directions on a scientific and technological problem. Having the ability to think independently and creatively, ability to absorb, research, and apply research results into practice. Having the ability to gather research staff and organize to perform tasks and solve problems arising from practice; ability to summarize practice, develop and present scientific research reports in specialized scientific conferences and seminars at ministerial and branch levels; being able to organize domestic academic activities and participate in international academic activities;

d) Having presided over at least 01 ministerial, provincial science and technology task (or at least 02 grassroots-level science and technology tasks) which was accepted at a pass level or higher, and participated in at least 02 science and technology tasks at the ministerial or provincial level, which were accepted at a pass level or higher; participating in a group of authors of at least 01 monograph and being an author of at least 03 scientific articles published in a domestic specialized journal on the list of specialized journals that are awarded points for converted scientific works when considering and recognizing standards for a professor or associate professor title of the State Council for Professor Titles;

dd) A public employee who is promoted from researcher title to principal researcher title (class II) must have held the researcher title (class III) or equivalent title for at least 9 (nine) years, in which the most recent time holding the researcher title (class III) is at least 2 (two) years.

Article 6. Researcher (class III) - Code: V.05.01.03

1. Tasks:

a) Assuming the prime responsibility for performing science and technology tasks at the grassroots level or higher or participating in the performance of ministerial and provincial science and technology tasks;

b) Directly conducting research, participating in investigation and survey activities, serving research, and guiding and inspecting research assistants in performing assigned research and experiment contents; participating in specialized academic activities;

c) Writing reports summarizing scientific and technological tasks, compiling documents and information to disseminate and widely apply research results into practice.

2. Training and retraining qualification criteria:

a) Having a bachelor’s degree or higher relevant to the research major;

b) Achieving level-2 foreign language proficiency (A2) as prescribed in the Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2014, of the Ministry of Education and Training, promulgating the 6-level Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages in Vietnam;

c) Having a computer skill that meets the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in the Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, of the Ministry of Information and Communications, providing for information technology skill standards;

d) Possessing a certificate of training for researchers (class III).

3. Professional capacity criteria:

a) Grasping the guidelines and policies on socio-economic development of the Party and State, the socio-economic situation in general and practical requirements for research; understanding the achievements  and trends of scientific and technological development, and important scientific and technological progress in the country and the world related to the research field; understanding the management, method of implementing research, information process, and science and technology research result assessment;

b) Mastering the method of using, operating, and preserving equipment and materials used in research and relevant regulations on occupational safety and hygiene;

c) Having the ability to research and apply research results into practice; being able to organize and connect qualified researchers to perform the tasks of a specific scientific and technological task; having the ability to develop and present assigned scientific research reports, participate in scientific conferences, and seminars in the field of research;

d) Having participated in at least 01 ministerial, provincial science and technology task (or having presided over at least 02 grassroots-level science and technology tasks) which was accepted at a pass level or higher; or being an author or participating in a group of authors of at least 01 scientific article published in a domestic specialized journal on the list of specialized journals that are awarded points for converted scientific works when considering and recognizing standards for a professor or associate professor title of the State Council for Professor Titles (applicable to the case of promoting from the research assistant title (class IV) to the researcher title (class III);

dd) A public employee promoted from the research assistant title to the researcher title (class III) must have held the research assistant title (class IV) or equivalent title for at least 3 (three) years.

Article 7. Research assistant (class IV) - Code: V.05.01.04

1. Tasks:

a) Performing research work, participating in investigations and surveys, or assisting in the processing and synthesis of information and data within the scope of assignment;

b) Supporting higher-ranking scientific research titles in conducting research activities.

2. Training and retraining qualification criteria:

a) Having an intermediate degree or higher relevant to the research major;

b) Achieving level-1 foreign language proficiency (A1) as prescribed in the Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2014, of the Ministry of Education and Training, promulgating the 6-level Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages in Vietnam;

c) Having a computer skill that meets the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in the Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, of the Ministry of Information and Communications, providing for information technology skill standards;

3. Professional capacity criteria:

a) Understanding the basic contents of the directions and tasks of scientific research and technological development of the industry and unit;

b) Understanding basic research methods, research tools, and basic process of conducting research activities; using, operating, and maintaining equipment and materials used in research;

c) Having basic theoretical knowledge about the assigned research field.

Article 8. Senior engineer (class I) - Code: V.05.02.05

1. Tasks:

a) Presiding over or participating in directing the elaboration and proposal of solutions to implement strategies and plans on technical research, application and development at national, ministerial, sectoral, and local levels; technological plans, economic - technical arguments of important economic - technical works at ministerial and sectoral levels;

b) Assuming the prime responsibility for, or participating in, the organization and approval of technological plans, economic-technical arguments for works in the technical specialty. Assuming the prime responsibility for or participating in the evaluation of initiatives, appraisal, and assessment of technologies resulting from scientific and technological tasks; applying scientific and technological advances to production and life; taking the lead in or assuming the prime responsibility for the implementation of national, ministerial, sectoral and local scientific and technological topics, projects and tasks; assuming the prime responsibility for or participating in summarizing and drawing experiences on management and technological research and development activities in ministries, branches, and localities; proposing additional policies and solutions accordingly;

c) Participating in the development of training and retraining objectives, contents, programs, and plans to raise the level of science and technology human resources in the industry. Compiling and editing documents and textbooks in service of training and fostering human resources in science and technology. Participating in teaching refresher courses to improve qualifications for principal engineers, engineers, and technicians in the technical specialty;

d) Organizing and directing the implementation of plans, ensuring that works and projects are safely completed on schedule, with quality and bring practical socio-economic effects;

dd) Detecting, adjusting, or requesting suspension of technical activities, technology deployment contrary to current national technical regulations and processes;

e) Exploiting, selecting for direct application of advanced technologies imported from abroad; rapidly applying modern technical achievements to create a leap in production technology and organizational structure. Cooperating with domestic and foreign partners to carry out national science and technology tasks, special science and technology tasks.

2. Training and retraining qualification criteria:

a) Possessing master's degree or higher in technique, technology;

b) Achieving level-4 foreign language proficiency (B2) as prescribed in the Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2014, of the Ministry of Education and Training, promulgating the 6-level Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages in Vietnam;

c) Having a computer skill that meets the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in the Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, of the Ministry of Information and Communications, providing for information technology skill standards;

d) Possessing a certificate of training for senior engineer (class I).

3. Professional capacity criteria:

a) Firmly grasping the guidelines and policies for socio-economic development of the Party and State, strategic orientations for science and technology development in general, directions and tasks for science and technology development; industry technology in particular; knowledgeable about production situation, technology level in general and production situation, the technology level of the industry; firmly and promptly grasping the achievements and trends of science and technology development, important scientific and technological advances in the country and the world;

b) Having in-depth knowledge of specialized technical fields and basic knowledge of a number of related technical specialties; having extensive knowledge and experience in technology development, application, and deployment activities in assigned the economic - technical industries;

c) Having the ability to think independently, creatively, and methodically handle complex economic - technical issues related to the specialty. Being capable of gathering qualified individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities, organizing and directing the performance of tasks, and summarizing practices; capable of connecting organizations and individuals engaged in science and technology with enterprises.

d) Having participated in at least 01 national science and technology task (or having presided over at least 01 ministerial or provincial science and technology task) which was accepted at a pass level or higher and presided over at least 02 grassroots-level science and technology tasks which were accepted at a pass level or higher;

dd) A public employee who is promoted from principal engineer title to senior engineer title (class I) must have held the principal engineer title (class II) or equivalent title for at least 6 (six) years, in which the most recent time holding the principal engineer title (class II) is at least 2 (two) years.

Article 9. Principal engineer (class II) - Code: V.05.02.06.

1. Tasks:

a) Formulating, organizing and directing the implementation of, assigned technical tasks to ensure regular operation of the process of technological development, application and implementation; scientific and technological tasks that affect the technological development of the unit and of the sector;

b) Proposing technological solutions, perfecting the production structure, directly applying domestic and imported advanced technologies in order to create new products with high competitiveness in the market, meeting requirements of socio-economic development;

c) Assuming the prime responsibility for performing scientific and technological tasks relevant to renewal of technologies, renewal of  production process, and operation of the main technological lines of the unit; assuming the prime responsibility for developing training and retraining programs and contents to improve professional qualifications and skills for workers and technicians of the unit and of the sector;

d) Carrying out or direct technological management within the assigned task scope (direct and assess the design and formulation of technological solutions, processes, technical regulations, technical norms), technical regulations, occupational safety, product quality. Participating in compiling and researching to build a complete system of standards and technical regulations of the unit and of the sector. Participating in compiling contents of lectures, editing documents and teaching in courses of retraining and improving professional skills in the technical major as assigned;

dd) Summarizing, analyzing and assessing the completion and effectiveness level of technological solutions within the assigned task scope, proposing suitable measures for amendment, supplementation and perfection; detecting, proposing adjustment or suspension of technical activities contrary to current technical regulations and processes.

2. Criteria of training and retraining qualifications:

a) Possessing a university or higher qualification in technique, technology;

b) Achieving level-3 foreign language proficiency (B1) as specified in the Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2024 of the Ministry of Education and Training on promulgating the six-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam;

c) Having a computer skill that meets the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in the Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications, providing for information technology skill standards;

d) Possessing a certificate of training for principal engineer (class II).

3. Criteria of professional capacity:

a) Grasping the socio-economic development guidelines of the Party and the State, directions and tasks of scientific and technological development of sectors and units; achievements and trends of scientific and technological development, important scientific and technological advances in the country and in the world related to majors and units;

b) Having in-depth technical knowledge suitable to assigned tasks and basic knowledge of a related major; understanding the socio-economic situation in general and the production situation, the technological level of the sector and the unit; having economic knowledge, in-depth knowledge about specialized technological development, application and implementation; mastering the method of organizing and directing the implementation of assigned technical tasks and regulations on occupational safety and health;

c) Having the capacity to work independently, think creatively and make gatherings to perform tasks, summarize practical issues; having the capacity to connect organizations and individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities with enterprises;

d) Having presided over 01 scientific and technological task at ministerial or provincial level which was accepted at a pass level or higher, or participated in at least 02 scientific and technological tasks at ministerial or provincial level, which were accepted at a pass level or higher;

dd) A public employee who is promoted from engineer title to principal engineer title (class II) must have held the engineer title (class III) or equivalent title for at least 9 (nine) years, in which the most recent time holding the engineer title (class III) is at least 2 (two) years.

Article 10. Engineer (class III) - Code: V.05.02.07.

1. Tasks:

a) Formulating, organizing and directing the implementation of, assigned technical tasks to ensure regular operation of the process of technological development, application and implementation;

b) Assuming the prime responsibility for performing scientific and technological tasks relevant to his/her professional field;

c) Carrying out or directing technological management within the assigned task scope, participating in compiling and researching to build a complete system of norms and technical standards in the technological area as undertaken.

2. Criteria of training and retraining qualifications:

a) Possessing a university or higher qualification in technique, technology;

b) Achieving level-2 foreign language proficiency (A2) as specified in the Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2024 of the Ministry of Education and Training on promulgating the six-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam;

c) Having a computer skill that meets the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in the Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications, providing for information technology skill standards;

d) Possessing a certificate of training for engineer (class III).

3. Criteria of professional capacity:

a) Grasping the socio-economic development guidelines of the Party and the State, directions and tasks of scientific and technological development of sectors and units; scientific and technological development achievements and trends, important scientific and technological advances in the country and in the world related to sectors and units;

b) Grasping the management skills and contents, methods of organizing the implementation of scientific and technological tasks at the unit. Grasping the objects of impact of science and technology within the scope of activities, regulations on occupational safety and occupational health;

d) Having presided over at least 01 scientific and technological task at grassroots level which was accepted at a pass level or higher; or participated in at least 02 scientific and technological tasks at grassroots level, which were accepted at a pass level or higher (applicable to technicians (class IV) eligible for promotion to engineer title (class III));

dd) A public employee who is promoted from technician title to engineer title (class III) must have held the technician title (class IV) or equivalent title for at least 3 (three) years.

Article 11. Technician (class IV) - Code: V.05.02.08.

1. Tasks:

a) Performing regular technical and technological tasks, according to a specific process;

b) Performing the technological process management within the assigned task scope according to the guidance of the higher technological title;

2. Criteria of training and retraining qualifications:

a) Possessing an intermediate or higher qualification in technique;

b) Achieving level-1 foreign language proficiency (A1) as specified in the Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDDT dated January 24, 2024 of the Ministry of Education and Training on promulgating the six-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam;

c) Having a computer skill that meets the basic information technology skill standards as prescribed in the Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications, providing for information technology skill standards;

3. Criteria of professional capacity:

a) Understanding the basic contents of the direction and tasks of production development and technological innovation of the sector and unit;

b) Having basic theoretical knowledge about a technical major, being able to practice fluently the undertaken usual technical tasks;

c) Understanding the technical regulations, processes, technical standards, norms, labor protection and safety techniques.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 12. Effect

1. This Joint Circular takes effect on December 01, 2014.

2. This Joint Circular replaces the Decision No. 11/2006/QD-BNV dated October 05, 2006 of the Minister of Home Affairs on promulgating the professional criteria applicable to scientific and technological public employees.

3. To repeal regulations on the list of scientific and technological public employee ranks in the list of civil servant ranks and public employee ranks issued together with the Decision No. 78/2004/QD-BNV dated November 03, 2004 of the Minister of Home Affairs.

Article 13. Organization of implementation

1. This Joint Circular shall be used as the basis for recruiting, employing and managing scientific and technological public employees in public non-business units.

2. Non-public non-business units, organizations and establishments may apply these regulations to recruit, employ and manage their personnel.

Article 14. Implementation responsibility

1. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies; heads of government-attached agencies and chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and central affiliated cities shall take responsibilities for the implementation of this Circular.

2. Difficulties and problems arising in the course of implementation should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Science and Technology for summarization. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs in, studying and settling such difficulties and problems.