In university hospital centres, the director appoints the vice-president in charge of research on presentation of a list of proposals drawn up jointly by the president of the Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, the president of the university to which the medical training and research unit belongs and the vice-dean.
This list, containing at least three names, is presented to the Director within thirty days of his request. If there is no joint proposal, or if there is no proposal within the aforementioned time limit, the Director appoints the Vice-President in charge of research.