Most visiting professors will be housed in one of Harvard's undergraduate Houses, where furnished apartments are available at rental rates comparable or slightly less than the rates for non-Harvard housing. Visitors should contact the committee coordinator in advance to indicate their housing needs so that the appropriate size of apartment can be located.
The salary is set each year at the rate comparable to the salary of a full tenured faculty member in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences or the associated professional school. Full benefits coverage is available, including medical, dental and life insurance (the rates vary from year to year, and are calculated based on annual salary). Upon request, the University will provide an additional payment in lieu of a direct contribution to the visiting professor's retirement plan, since Harvard is unable to make direct contributions on behalf of visiting faculty. This payment would be equal to the lower of what Harvard would have contributed or what the home institution would have contributed.
The Harvard Australian Committee provides a modest research fund (approximately US$5,000) for the use of the visiting professor during his/her residency. This fund should be used for travel to conferences or to conduct research while in the United States.
All visitors will be required to obtain the appropriate visa that will allow them to accept salaried employment. The committee coordinator and Harvard's International Office will assist the visitor with obtaining the proper paperwork prior to arrival in the U.S. Assistance will also be available to obtain the appropriate visas for the visitor's family members if they will be traveling to the U.S. as well. The International Office will assist with school placement for children who accompany the visiting professor.
The Australian Committee will provide round-trip economy class airfare from Australia for the visiting professor. Other travel expenses incurred while in the U.S. will be reimbursed from the research fund mentioned above.
Normally, visiting professors are expected to teach two courses per year in the host department, and the relevant department chair will contact the visiting professor to work out the specific details of the course offerings. Within Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, visiting professors are expected to offer an undergraduate lecture course, and a smaller seminar-style course, open to advanced undergraduates and graduate students.
