Circular No. 11/2024/TT-BKHCN stipulates the code number and job title standards for science and technology professionals; criteria and conditions for promotion to higher job titles for science and technology professionals.

CIRCULAR

Article 24stipulating the code number and standards for occupational titles of civil servants in the science and technology field and the criteria for promotion to higher ranksoccupational titles of civil servants in the science and technology field

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Pursuant to the Civil Servants Law on November 15, 2010; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Civil Servants Law and the Civil Servants Law on November 25, 2019;

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 28/2023/NĐ-CP dated June 2, 2023 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

Pursuant to Decree No. 115/2020/NĐ-CP dated September 25, 2020 of the Government on recruitment, employment, and management of civil servants; Decree No. 85/2023/NĐ-CP dated December 7, 2023 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 115/2020/NĐ-CP dated September 25, 2020 of the Government on recruitment, employment, and management of civil servants;

Pursuant to Decree No. 40/2014/NĐ-CP dated May 12, 2014 of the Government on the utilization and promotion of individuals engaged in science and technology activities; Decree No. 27/2020/NĐ-CP dated March 1, 2020 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 40/2014/NĐ-CP dated May 12, 2014 of the Government on the utilization and promotion of individuals engaged in science and technology activities and Decree No. 87/2014/NĐ-CP dated September 22, 2014 of the Government on attracting individuals engaged in science and technology activities who are overseas Vietnamese and foreign experts to participate in science and technology activities in Vietnam;

Pursuant to Decree No. 101/2017/NĐ-CP dated September 1, 2017 of the Government on training and capacity building for cadres, civil servants, and civil servants; Decree No. 89/2021/NĐ-CP dated October 18, 2021 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 101/2017/NĐ-CP dated September 1, 2017 of the Government on training and capacity building for cadres, civil servants, and civil servants;

At the proposal of the Director of the Personnel Department and the Director of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular stipulating the code number and standards for occupational titles of civil servants in the science and technology field; the criteria and conditions for promotion to higher ranks of occupational titles of civil servants in the science and technology field.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates the code number and standards for occupational titles of civil servants in the science and technology field; the criteria and conditions for promotion to higher ranks I and II of occupational titles of civil servants in the science and technology field.

Article 2. This Circular applies to civil servants in the science and technology field working in public service units and other related agencies, organizations, and individuals.

1. International reputable journal is a scientific journal selected from the list of journals in the Web of Science database according to the regulations of the Minister of Science and Technology on managing basic research projects funded by the National Research Development Fund.

2. Domestic reputable scientific journal is a domestic scientific journal with an international standard serial number (ISSN) included in the annual list of journals for scoring by the State Council of Professors' Sectoral and Inter-Sectoral Council.

3. Scientific article is a scientific work of the author published in a scientific journal with an international standard serial number (ISSN), clearly demonstrating the scientific idea, essential content of the research issue, the situation of research both domestically and internationally, significant contributions to theory and application; research methods, tools, sources cited, and references.

4. Monograph is a scientific work presenting in-depth and relatively comprehensive results of research on a specific scientific topic.

5. Textbook is teaching and learning materials with content appropriate to the training program approved by the head of the higher education institution or approved by the Minister of Education and Training.

6. Project, work, design within the technical specialty is a project, development, application, implementation of technology, or other tasks within the scope of technical and economic-technical fields that the civil servant is responsible for, classified according to the provisions of specialized laws.

Article 1. The points converted from professional activities results include:

a) Results of implementing scientific and technological tasks at various levels that have been accepted at a satisfactory level or above;

b) Results of protecting intellectual property rights for inventions, utility models, or results of protecting rights for plant varieties;

c) Scientific articles;

d) Monographs, textbooks;

đ) The outcomes of projects, works, designs within the technical specialty;

Article 2. Each professional activity result converted under Clause 1 of this Article must be relevant to the science and technology field in which the civil servant is currently working, suitable to their position and responsibilities.

The method of converting results into points is specified in the Appendix attached to this Circular.

Article 3. Scientific articles, monographs, textbooks that have been published with overlapping content of 30% or more with another work of the same author shall only be counted once for point conversion.

Article 4. For professional activity results converted involving multiple authors, the main author receives one-third of the points, and the remaining points are divided among the contributors based on their individual contributions. If it is not possible to determine the specific contribution of each person, the remaining points will be equally distributed among all contributors.

Article 5. Monographs and scientific articles formed from the results of implemented scientific and technological tasks that have already been counted for point conversion shall not be counted again for point conversion.

CODE NUMBERS AND STANDARDS FOR OCCUPATIONAL TITLES OF CIVIL SERVANTSIN THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FIELD

Article 4. Code and classification of occupational titles for science and technology civil servants

1. Occupational titles for science and technology civil servants include: research science title group; technology title group.

2. The research science title group includes:

3. The technology title group includes:

Article 5. General ethical standards for science and technology civil servants

1. Having a high sense of responsibility towards assigned tasks, always complying with laws, and fully performing the duties of a civil servant in professional activities.

2. Being honest, united, having a spirit of inquiry, cooperation, creativity, ready to absorb and learn new things, self-improving their qualifications, being aware of protecting state secrets related to science and technology, ensuring national defense and security.

a) Directly conducting research, proposing, and serving as the head of scientific and technological tasks and innovation activities, including: special scientific and technological tasks and innovation activities; scientific and technological tasks and innovation activities within the framework of national science, technology, and innovation programs; scientific and technological tasks and innovation activities within the framework of national science, technology, and innovation programs of ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, government agencies, central-level agencies, and provincial People's Committees; proposing solutions and organizing guidance, monitoring, and evaluating the application of research results in practice;

1. Duties:

a) Directly researching, proposing, and serving as the head of national, ministry, and provincial-level scientific and technological tasks; proposing solutions and organizing guidance, monitoring, and evaluating the application of research results in practice;

b) Researching, proposing, participating in building policies, orientations, plans for the development and application of science and technology at the national, ministry, sector, and local levels. Participating in consulting national, ministry, and provincial-level scientific and technological tasks;

c) Organizing professional direction, guiding senior researchers, researchers, research assistants, and collaborating researchers to participate in implementing scientific and technological tasks;

đ) Leading or participating in organizing conferences, seminars; academic activities domestically and internationally; compiling reports on research results; editing materials to widely disseminate research results into practice.

d) Leading or participating in: organizing conferences, seminars; academic activities domestically and internationally; compiling reports on research results; editing materials aimed at widely disseminating and applying research results in practice.

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Having a doctoral degree appropriate to the field of research and job requirements;

b) Holding a certificate for training in research science positions. In cases where the position requires a professional practice certificate according to the law, the civil servant's professional practice certificate can replace the corresponding research science position training certificate.

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Mastering the Party and State’s policies on economic and social development, strategic orientations for the development of science, technology, and innovation at the national, ministry, sector, and local levels. Understanding the achievements and trends in science and technology development both domestically and internationally related to the research field;

b) Possessing the ability to conduct deep research in specialized fields and interdisciplinary research within the professional domain; proposing, advising, and resolving central and local strategic issues; the ability to summarize practical experiences, build and present strategic research reports in important scientific conferences; the ability to gather and organize capable individuals to carry out scientific and technological tasks; the ability to connect scientific research with education and production;

c) Having experience in scientific research, independent and creative thinking skills, combining theoretical research with practical experience, experience in cooperating with scientists and international science and technology organizations in the specialized field; possessing in-depth knowledge in the specialized field suitable for assigned tasks and broad knowledge in related fields;

d) Possessing the ability to lead national-level scientific and technological tasks and implement scientific and technological tasks at various levels;

Achieve at least five converted points from professional activity results, including at least three points converted from the results of implementing national-level, ministry-level, provincial-level scientific and technological tasks, or publishing articles in reputable international scientific journals; or inventions granted an exclusive patent right and transferred, commercialized; or useful solutions granted an exclusive patent right and applied in practice; or plant varieties granted a protection certificate and applied in production and business;

e) Having basic information technology skills, proficiency in foreign languages; for civil servants working in ethnic minority regions, they must be able to use ethnic minority languages as required by the job position;

e) Civil servants promoted from senior researcher (Class II) to senior researcher (Class I) must have held the senior researcher (Class II) position or equivalent for at least six years. In cases with equivalent time, they must have held the senior researcher (Class II) position for at least one year (cumulative twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting registration applications for promotion evaluation;

Article 7. Senior Researcher (Class II) - Code: V.05.01.02

1. Duties:

a) Serving as the head of ministry and provincial-level scientific and technological tasks or participating in implementing national-level scientific and technological tasks;

b) Lead research groups and provide professional guidance to researchers, research assistants, and collaborators on scientific research and technology development content;

c) Being responsible for solving main issues in assigned scientific and technological tasks; writing reports on research results, application procedures; compiling materials aimed at widely disseminating and effectively applying research results to serve production and daily life; organizing guidance, monitoring, and evaluating the application of research results in practice;

d) Participating in building policies, plans, and measures to implement scientific and technological activities at the ministry, sector, local, and unit levels; participating in organizing scientific conferences and specialized academic activities; participating in consulting scientific and technological tasks; participating in teaching and guiding scientific studies for graduate students and university students at educational institutions;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Having a master's degree or higher appropriate to the field of research and job requirements;

b) Holding a certificate for training in research science positions. In cases where the position requires a professional practice certificate according to the law, the civil servant's professional practice certificate can replace the corresponding research science position training certificate.

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Mastering the Party and State’s policies on economic and social development, science and technology development, achievements and trends in science and technology development, significant scientific and technological advancements domestically and internationally related to the research field; understanding the content of management, research methods, information processing, and assessment of scientific and technological task results;

b) Mastering and skillfully applying scientific research theories and methods; having in-depth knowledge in the specialized field suitable for assigned tasks and foundational knowledge in some related fields;

c) Possess the ability to propose and determine research directions on a scientific and technological issue. Have independent and creative thinking, the ability to absorb, study, and implement the application of research results into practice. Possess the ability to gather research staff and organize the implementation of tasks and resolve issues arising from practice; the ability to summarize practice, build and present scientific research reports at specialized conferences and seminars at the ministry, sector, provincial levels; possess the ability to organize domestic academic activities and participate in international academic activities.

d) Possess the capability to lead scientific and technological tasks at the ministry and provincial levels and implement other scientific and technological tasks.

Achieve at least three converted points from professional activity results, including at least one point converted from the results of implementing scientific and technological tasks at the ministry-level, provincial-level or higher, or publishing articles in reputable scientific journals; or inventions granted an exclusive patent right; or useful solutions granted an exclusive patent right; or plant varieties granted a protection certificate;

e) Having basic information technology skills, proficiency in foreign languages; for civil servants working in ethnic minority regions, they must be able to use ethnic minority languages as required by the job position;

e) A civil servant promoted from Researcher (Class III) to Senior Researcher (Class II) must have held the position of Researcher (Class III) or equivalent for at least nine years. In cases with equivalent time, they must have held the position of Researcher (Class III) for at least one year (cumulatively twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting registration applications for promotion assessment.

Article 8. Researcher (Class III) - Code: V.05.01.03

1. Duties:

a) Lead scientific and technological tasks at the institutional level or higher, or participate in scientific and technological tasks at the ministry and provincial levels.

b) Directly engage in research, participate in investigative and survey activities serving research, guide and inspect assistants in conducting assigned research and experimental tasks; participate in specialized academic activities.

c) Write summary reports on scientific and technological tasks, compile materials and information to disseminate and widely apply research results into practice.

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a field relevant to the research area and job requirements.

b) Holding a certificate for training in research science positions. In cases where the position requires a professional practice certificate according to the law, the civil servant's professional practice certificate can replace the corresponding research science position training certificate.

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the policies and guidelines for economic and social development, scientific and technological development by the Party and State; the general economic and social situation and practical demands for the research field; achievements and trends in scientific and technological development, significant scientific and technological advancements domestically and internationally related to the research field; management content, methods of implementing research, processing information, and evaluating scientific and technological research outcomes.

b) Master the methods of using, operating, and maintaining equipment and materials used in research, and related labor safety and hygiene regulations;

c) Possess the ability to conduct research and implement the application of research results into practice; have the ability to organize and connect capable researchers to carry out specific scientific and technological tasks; have the ability to construct and present assigned scientific research reports; participate in conferences and seminars within the research field.

d) Possess the capability to lead the implementation of scientific and technological tasks at the institutional level and participate in other scientific and technological tasks.

e) Having basic information technology skills, proficiency in foreign languages; for civil servants working in ethnic minority regions, they must be able to use ethnic minority languages as required by the job position;

e) A civil servant promoted from Research Assistant (Class IV) to Researcher (Class III) must have held the position of Research Assistant (Class IV) or equivalent for at least three years. In cases with equivalent time, they must have held the position of Research Assistant (Class IV) for at least one year (cumulatively twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting registration applications for promotion assessment.

Article 9. Research Assistant (Class IV) - Code: V.05.01.04

1. Duties:

a) Carry out tasks supporting research, participate in surveys, or assist in processing and summarizing information and data within the assigned scope;

b) Perform support duties for higher-ranking research positions in implementing research activities.

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold an associate degree or higher in a field relevant to the research area.

b) Holding a certificate for training in research science positions. In cases where the position requires a professional practice certificate according to the law, the civil servant's professional practice certificate can replace the corresponding research science position training certificate.

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the basic contents of the direction and tasks of scientific research and technological development of the sector and unit.

b) Understand basic research methods, basic research tools, basic implementation procedures for research activities; the method of using, operating, and maintaining equipment and materials used in research;

c) Have foundational theoretical knowledge about the assigned research field;

d) Possess basic information technology skills, proficiency in a foreign language; for civil servants working in ethnic minority areas, they must be proficient in the ethnic minority language according to job requirements.

Article 10. Senior Engineer (Class I) - Code: V.05.02.05

1. Duties:

a) Lead or participate in directing the construction and proposal of solutions to implement national, ministerial, and provincial-level research application and technological development strategies and plans; technical schemes and economic-technical justifications for major national, ministerial, and provincial-level economic and technical projects.

b) Lead or participate in organizing the review of technical schemes and economic-technical justifications for projects within the specialized engineering field. Lead or participate in assessing initiatives and appraising, examining technological outcomes from scientific and technological tasks; applying scientific and technological progress to production and daily life; implementing national, ministerial, and provincial-level scientific and technological tasks; lead or participate in summarizing experiences, proposing solutions, amending, and supplementing regulations on the management of research and technological development activities in ministries, sectors, and localities to comply with relevant laws.

c) Participate in building objectives, contents, programs, and training plans to enhance the qualifications of scientific and technological human resources in the sector. Compile and edit materials and textbooks to serve training and enhancing the qualifications of scientific and technological human resources. Participate in teaching advanced courses for chief engineers, engineers, and technicians in the specialized engineering field.

d) Organize and direct the implementation of plans to ensure that projects are completed on schedule, safely, with quality, and achieve practical socio-economic benefits;

đ) Detect, adjust, or propose suspension of technical activities and technology deployment contrary to current national technical standards and procedures;

e) Exploit and directly apply advanced imported technologies; quickly adopt modern technical achievements to make leaps in technology and organizational structure of production. Collaborate with domestic and foreign partners to implement national-level scientific and technological tasks and special scientific and technological tasks.

2. Training and enhancement standards: Hold a master's degree or higher in a technical or technological field relevant to the job position; hold a certificate for the technology title. In cases where the job position requires a professional practice certificate according to the law, the civil servant can use the professional practice certificate instead of the corresponding technology title certificate.

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Master the Party's and State's policies on economic and social development, strategic orientation for the development of science, technology, and innovation in general, and the direction and tasks for the development of science and technology in the industry in particular; understand the production situation and technological level in general and the production situation and technological level in the industry; be well-informed about scientific and technological achievements and trends, as well as important scientific and technological advancements both domestically and internationally;

b) Possess in-depth knowledge in the specialized technical field assumed and basic knowledge in related technical fields; have extensive understanding and experience in the activities of developing, applying, and implementing technology within the scope of the economic and technical field assumed;

c) Have the ability to think independently and creatively, and methods to handle complex economic and technical issues related to the assumed specialty; have the ability to gather individuals with scientific and technological capabilities, organize and direct the implementation of tasks, and summarize practical experiences; have the ability to connect organizations and individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities with enterprises;

d) Have the capability to lead and participate in national-level scientific and technological tasks or projects, works, designs at level I within the technical specialty, and to organize and implement scientific and technological tasks or projects, works, designs at various levels within the technical specialty;

Achieve at least four converted points from professional activity results, including at least two points converted from the results of implementing national-level, ministry-level, provincial-level scientific and technological tasks, or serving as director, leading projects, works, designs at Level II or higher within the technical field, or publishing articles in reputable international scientific journals; or inventions granted an exclusive patent right; or useful solutions granted an exclusive patent right and applied in practice; or plant varieties granted a protection certificate and applied in production and business;

e) Having basic information technology skills, proficiency in foreign languages; for civil servants working in ethnic minority regions, they must be able to use ethnic minority languages as required by the job position;

e) A staff member promoted from Senior Engineer (Class II) to Senior Engineer (Class I) must have held the position of Senior Engineer (Class II) or equivalent for at least six years. In cases where the equivalent period is met, they must have held the position of Senior Engineer (Class II) for at least one year (cumulatively twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting registration documents for the promotion examination;

Article 11. Senior Engineer (Class II) - Code: V.05.02.06

1. Duties:

a) Develop and organize the implementation of assigned technical tasks to ensure the continuous operation of the process of developing, applying, and implementing technology; scientific and technological tasks that affect the technological development of the unit and the industry;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Holding a bachelor's degree or higher in the field of engineering, technology, and job requirements;

b) Hold a certificate for professional training. In cases where the job position requires a professional practice certificate according to the law, the staff member's professional practice certificate can replace the corresponding professional training certificate;

b) Proposing technological solutions, improving production structures, directly applying advanced domestic and imported technologies;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Master the Party's and State's policies on economic and social development, the direction and tasks for the development of science and technology in the industry and the unit; scientific and technological achievements and trends, as well as important scientific and technological advancements both domestically and globally relevant to the industry and the unit;

b) Possess in-depth knowledge in the technical specialty suitable for the assigned tasks and foundational knowledge in a related specialty; understand the overall economic and social situation and the production situation and technological level in the industry and the unit; have knowledge in economics and a deep understanding of the business of developing, applying, and implementing technology in the specialty; be familiar with the methods of organizing and directing the implementation of assigned technical tasks and labor safety and hygiene regulations;

c) Have the ability to work independently, think creatively, and assemble resources to carry out tasks and summarize practical experiences; have the ability to connect organizations and individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities with enterprises;

d) Have the capability to lead ministry-level or provincial-level scientific and technological tasks or projects, works, designs at level II within the technical specialty, and to organize and participate in the implementation of scientific and technological tasks or projects, works, designs at various levels within the technical specialty;

Achieve at least two converted points from professional activity results, including at least one point converted from the results of leading or participating in implementing ministry-level, provincial-level, grassroots-level scientific and technological tasks, or projects, works, designs at Level III or higher within the technical field; or publishing articles in reputable scientific journals; or inventions granted an exclusive patent right; or useful solutions granted an exclusive patent right; or plant varieties granted a protection certificate;

e) Having basic information technology skills, proficiency in foreign languages; for civil servants working in ethnic minority regions, they must be able to use ethnic minority languages as required by the job position;

e) A staff member promoted from Engineer (Class III) to Senior Engineer (Class II) must have held the position of Engineer (Class III) or equivalent for at least nine years. In cases where the equivalent period is met, they must have held the position of Engineer (Class III) for at least one year (cumulatively twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting registration documents for the promotion examination;

c) Lead scientific and technological tasks related to technological innovation, production process innovation, and the operation of the main production lines of the unit; lead the development of training programs and content to enhance the professional skills and expertise of the unit's and industry's technical staff;

d) Implement or direct the implementation of technology management within the assigned scope (direct and inspect design work, develop technological solutions, procedures, technical standards, technical norms, labor safety, product quality...). Participate in compiling and researching to complete the system of technical standards and norms. Participate in writing lectures and editing materials for technical training courses;

đ) Summarize, analyze, and evaluate the completeness and effectiveness of technological solutions within the assigned scope, propose supplementary measures to improve and perfect them appropriately; identify and recommend adjustments or cessation of technical activities that violate current technical procedures and norms;

Article 12. Engineer (Class III) - Code: V.05.02.07

1. Duties:

a) Develop and direct the implementation of assigned technical tasks to ensure the regular activities of the development, application, and deployment of technology processes.

b) Participate in implementing scientific and technological tasks from the grassroots level upwards in the specialized field;

c) Implement or direct the implementation of technology management within the assigned scope, participate in compiling and researching to complete the system of technical norms and standards in the assumed technological field;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Holding a bachelor's degree or higher in the field of engineering, technology, and job requirements;

b) Hold a certificate for professional training. In cases where the job position requires a professional practice certificate according to the law, the staff member's professional practice certificate can replace the corresponding professional training certificate;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the Party's and State's policies on economic and social development, the direction and tasks for the development of science and technology in the industry and the unit; the overall economic and social situation and scientific and technological achievements and trends, as well as important scientific and technological advancements both domestically and globally relevant to the industry and the unit;

b) Be well-versed in the content, management practices, and methods of organizing and implementing scientific and technological tasks at the unit. Be familiar with the subjects affected by science and technology within the scope of operations, as well as labor safety and hygiene regulations;

d) Possess the capacity to lead the organization in implementing scientific and technological tasks at the grassroots level or projects, works, designs at Level III within the technical field;

e) Having basic information technology skills, proficiency in foreign languages; for civil servants working in ethnic minority regions, they must be able to use ethnic minority languages as required by the job position;

e) A staff member promoted from Technical Assistant (Level IV) to Engineer (Level III) must have held the position of Technical Assistant (Level IV) or equivalent for at least three years. In cases with equivalent time, they must have held the position of Technical Assistant (Level IV) for at least one year (cumulatively twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting the application for promotion examination;

Article 13. Technician (Class IV) - Code: V.05.02.08

1. Duties:

a) Perform regular technical and technological tasks according to a specific process.

b) Manage the technological process within the assigned scope under the guidance of a higher-level technology position.

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold a college degree or higher in the field of engineering and technology, and meet the requirements of the job position.

b) Hold a certificate for professional training. In cases where the job position requires a professional practice certificate according to the law, the staff member's professional practice certificate can replace the corresponding professional training certificate;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the basic contents of the direction and tasks of production development and technological innovation in the industry and unit.

b) Possess theoretical knowledge in a specific engineering field, capable of skillfully performing routine technical tasks assigned.

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

d) Possess basic information technology skills, proficiency in a foreign language; for civil servants working in ethnic minority areas, they must be proficient in the ethnic minority language according to job requirements.

Chapter III

STANDARDS AND CONDITIONS FOR PROMOTION REVIEW PROFESSIONAL TITLES OF SPECIALIZED STAFF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Article 14. Standards and conditions for reviewing promotion to the title of Senior Researcher (Level I)

Specialized staff working in public service units in the field of science and technology may apply for review of promotion to the title of Senior Researcher (Level I) if, during their tenure as Principal Researcher (Level II) or equivalent, they meet the following standards and conditions:

1. Meet all the standards and conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 32 of Decree No. 115/2020/ND-CP dated September 25, 2020 of the Government on recruitment, use, and management of specialized staff, amended in Clause 16 of Article 1 of Decree No. 85/2023/ND-CP dated December 7, 2023 of the Government amending and supplementing some articles of Decree No. 115/2020/ND-CP.

2. The job position plan of the public service unit has been developed and approved according to the law, including the position for the title of specialized staff applying for promotion.

3. Be nominated by the competent authority to be reviewed for promotion.

4. Achieve at least five converted points from professional activity results and ensure one of the following conditions:

a) Have led at least one national-level scientific and technological task and participated in at least two ministry-level, provincial-level scientific and technological tasks that have been accepted at a satisfactory level; or led at least three ministry-level, provincial-level scientific and technological tasks that have been accepted at a satisfactory level and participated in at least two ministry-level, provincial-level scientific and technological tasks that have been accepted at a satisfactory level;

b) Be the main author or chief editor of at least one monograph and the main author of at least two scientific articles published in reputable international journals;

c) Be the author or co-author of at least one invention granted an exclusive patent right and transferred, commercialized; or the author or co-author of at least two useful solutions granted an exclusive patent right and applied in practice; or the author or co-author of at least two plant varieties granted a protection certificate and applied in production and business.

Article 15. Criteria and Conditions for Promotion to the Researcher Level II (Grade II) Position

Staff members specializing in science and technology working in public service units may register to be considered for promotion to the Researcher Level II (Grade II) position if they meet the following criteria and conditions during their tenure at the Researcher Level I (Grade III) position or equivalent:

1. The provisions set forth in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 14 of this Circular.

2. Achieve at least 03 points converted from the results of professional activities and ensure one of the following conditions:

a) Have been the principal investigator of at least 01 national or provincial-level scientific and technological tasks and participated in at least 01 national or provincial-level scientific and technological task that has been accepted at a satisfactory level; or have been the principal investigator of at least 03 basic-level scientific and technological tasks and participated in at least 01 national or provincial-level scientific and technological task that has been accepted at a satisfactory level;

b) Participate as a member of the author group of at least 01 monograph and be the main author of at least 01 scientific article published in a reputable international journal;

c) Be the author or co-author of at least 01 invention patent granted with a Patent Certificate; or be the author or co-author of at least 02 utility models granted with a Patent Certificate; or be the author or co-author of at least 01 plant variety granted with a Protection Certificate.

Article 16. Criteria and Conditions for Promotion to the Senior Engineer Level I (Grade I) Position

Staff members specializing in science and technology working in public service units may register to be considered for promotion to the Senior Engineer Level I (Grade I) position if they meet the following criteria and conditions during their tenure at the Principal Engineer Level II (Grade II) position or equivalent:

1. The provisions set forth in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 14 of this Circular.

2. Achieve at least 04 points converted from the results of professional activities and ensure one of the following conditions:

a) Have participated in at least 01 national-level scientific and technological task and been the principal investigator of at least 02 basic-level scientific and technological tasks that have been accepted at a satisfactory level; or have been the principal investigator of at least 01 ministry or provincial-level task and been the principal investigator of at least 02 basic-level scientific and technological tasks that have been accepted at a satisfactory level;

b) Be the author or co-author of at least 01 invention patent granted with a Patent Certificate and transferred for commercialization; or be the author or co-author of at least 01 utility model granted with a Patent Certificate and applied in practice; or be the author or co-author of at least 01 plant variety granted with a Protection Certificate and applied in production and business.

c) Serve as the director, head, or principal investigator of at least 01 Class I project, work, or design within the technical field and serve as the director, head, or principal investigator of at least 02 Class II projects, works, or designs within the technical field that have been completed, put into use, and demonstrated effectiveness; or serve as the principal investigator or head designer of at least 01 Class I project or work and serve as the principal investigator or head designer of at least 02 Class II projects or works approved by the competent authority.

Article 17. Criteria and Conditions for Promotion to the Principal Engineer Level II (Grade II) Position

Staff members specializing in science and technology working in public service units may register to be considered for promotion to the Principal Engineer Level II (Grade II) position if they meet the following criteria and conditions during their tenure at the Engineer Level III (Grade III) position or equivalent:

1. The provisions set forth in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 14 of this Circular.

2. Achieve at least 02 points converted from the results of professional activities and ensure one of the following conditions:

a) Have been the principal investigator of at least 01 ministry or provincial-level scientific and technological task that has been accepted at a satisfactory level; or have participated in at least 02 ministry or provincial-level scientific and technological tasks that have been accepted at a satisfactory level;

b) Be the author or co-author of at least 01 invention patent granted with a Patent Certificate; or be the author or co-author of at least 01 utility model granted with a Patent Certificate; or be the author or co-author of at least 01 plant variety granted with a Protection Certificate.

c) Serve as the director, head, or principal investigator of at least 01 Class II project, work, or design within the technical field and serve as the director, head, or principal investigator of at least 01 Class III project, work, or design within the technical field that have been completed, put into use, and demonstrated effectiveness; or serve as the principal investigator or head designer of at least 01 Class II project or work and serve as the principal investigator or head designer of at least 02 Class III projects or works approved by the competent authority.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 18. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect from February 15, 2025.

2. This Circular replaces Circular Joint No. 24/2014/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV dated October 1, 2014 issued by the Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Home Affairs stipulating the code number and criteria for the profession title of staff members specializing in science and technology, which was amended and supplemented by Circular No. 01/2020/TT-BKHCN dated January 20, 2020 and Circular No. 14/2022/TT-BKHCN dated October 11, 2022 issued by the Minister of Science and Technology; and replaces Circular No. 08/2021/TT-BKHCN dated October 27, 2021 issued by the Minister of Science and Technology stipulating the criteria and conditions for examination or promotion to higher positions; the content, form, and determination of successful candidates in the promotion examination for the profession title of staff members specializing in science and technology.

1. Staff members who were appointed to the profession title of staff members specializing in science and technology according to the law before the effective date of this Circular shall be deemed to meet the requirements regarding the professional capacity standards of the profession title of staff members specializing in science and technology stipulated in this Circular, corresponding to the profession title they were appointed to. In cases where promotion to a higher profession title is considered, they must meet the conditions and criteria stipulated in this Circular.

2. Civil servants holding scientific and technological profession titles who have obtained certificates for completing the training programs prescribed in Clause 4, Article 17 of Decree No. 101/2017/ND-CP dated September 1, 2017 of the Government on training and capacity building for cadres, civil servants, and public officials, or who were appointed to scientific and technological profession titles before June 30, 2022, shall not be required to participate in training programs according to the standards for profession titles as stipulated in this Circular.

Article 20. Amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain provisions in Joint Circular No. 01/2016/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV dated January 11, 2016 of the Minister of Science and Technology and the Minister of Home Affairs guiding the implementation of appointment and salary classification based on profession titles for scientific and technological public officials.

1. Amend and supplement Point d of Clause 1, Article 5 as follows:

"d) The assistant researcher (Grade IV) and technical officer (Grade IV) profession titles shall apply the salary coefficient of Category A0 public officials, from salary coefficient 2.10 to salary coefficient 4.89."

2. Amend and supplement Point d of Clause 2, Article 5 as follows:

"d) In cases where they are recruited with a college degree appropriate to the job position, they shall be classified at Level 1, salary coefficient 2.10 of the assistant researcher (Grade IV, code V.05.01.04) or technical officer (Grade IV, code V.05.02.08) profession title;"

3. Abolish the provision in Point đ of Clause 2, Article 5.

4. Amending and supplementing Clause 4 of Article 5 as follows:

"4. For the assistant researcher (Grade IV) and technical officer (Grade IV) profession titles, if currently classified under Category B public officials as issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on the wage system for cadres, civil servants, public officials, and armed forces personnel, they shall be reclassified under Category A0 public officials according to the guidance provided in Clause 1, Section II of Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BNV dated May 25, 2007 of the Minister of Home Affairs on salary classification when upgrading positions or changing categories of civil servants and public officials.

In cases where public officials have not yet obtained a college degree appropriate to their job position but have been appointed to the assistant researcher (Grade IV) and technical officer (Grade IV) profession titles and are currently classified under Category B public officials as issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP, they shall continue to be classified under Category B until they meet the conditions for appointment and salary classification according to the profession titles stipulated in this Circular, or change job positions, resign, or retire as prescribed."

Article 21. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister, Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of Government Agencies, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, Heads of public service units, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. In case of difficulties during the implementation process, please report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for guidance or consideration and resolution.