Head of Faculty Research

Salary: £56,021 to £59,421 with progression to £64,914 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 23 October 2023

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an established leader to join our Faculty of Medical Sciences as a Head of Faculty Research. We are looking for someone to provide strategic and operational support on matters relating to research, particularly around developing and implementing coherent and comprehensive strategies to support the University and the Faculty.

If this sounds of interest, we’d love to hear from you!

In this role, you’ll be based at our Newcastle Upon Tyne campus that has fantastic transport links and state of the art facilities. We offer a hybrid working model, meaning you can split your time between home and the office. 

You’ll report to Katharine Rogers, the Director of Faculty Operations, and work closely with the Faculty Dean for Research & Innovation.  You can contact Katharine at katharine.rogers@newcastle.ac.uk or Muriel.Snowdon@newcastle.ac.uk if you have any questions specific to the role, prior to applying. 

We are an organisation that champions collaboration and, in this role, you will work closely with the Director of Research Strategy & Development as well as your equivalent counterparts in other faculties, to ensure consistency in the implementation of the University Research strategy and associated policies, processes and procedures.

The University’s Vision and Strategy sets out an ambitious and exciting journey, to be a people focused, world-leading university that harnesses academic excellence, innovation and creativity to advance knowledge and provide benefits to individuals, to organisations and to society as a whole.

What are we looking for?

As a snapshot, we are looking to hear from applicants with experience in:

•    A senior research leadership role
•    Developing and implementing strategies
•    Strategic research planning

What do we need from you?

To apply for the position, we’ll need your CV and a personal statement outlining how you are suitable for the role using evidence to highlight how you meet the essential criteria in the knowledge, skills and experience as listed in the job description.

Key Accountabilities
•    Provide strategic and operational support and advice for matters relating to research, in particular in developing and implementing a strategic plan for research within the Faculty and working with colleagues to ensure that systems and resources are in place to deliver the plan. You will work closely with the Faculty Dean of R&I, members of the Faculty Executive Board and the senior Professional Services team in this regard
•    To work collectively with the University and Faculty leadership in developing and maintaining an institutional view of the University’s research priorities, identifying emerging opportunities and working to translate those opportunities for the benefit of our research
•    Play a key role in establishing and maintaining the University’s reputation and profile nationally (and internationally).  Develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners to support the research reputation of the Faculty/University.  Work closely with the Academic Health Science Centre, and associated networks and partnerships, to ensure the success of research for the region and beyond
•    Contribute to the development of a positive and aspirational research culture and operationalise this at the Faculty level in liaison with the Dean of Research Culture and Strategy and members of University Research & Innovation Committee (URIC).  Encourage and exemplify a positive research culture amongst the Faculty’s colleagues and students
•    Support benchmarking and contribute to the development of KPIs where appropriate so that the University can be seen as a leader exemplifying excellent practice
•    Responsible for identifying, and then undertaking critical analysis of a variety of research performance data, to deliver cohesive advice, challenge and reports to the University and Faculty leadership team
•    Leading the operational delivery to maximise performance in any national research assessment exercise
•    To work with the Director of Research Strategy & Development to support the development and effective implementation of University and Faculty research systems, processes and policies in order to maximise service delivery
•    To oversee research governance and ethical review activities at Faculty level liaising with University and NHS colleagues as appropriate
•    To work with other Heads of Faculty Research, the Research Funding Development Team and other relevant colleagues to identify interdisciplinary research that is, or has the potential to be, world-class and to operationalise plans and strategies to maximise opportunity and enhance the generation of research income

Other Information:

As a member of the Faculty Professional Service Leadership Team, you will be responsible for creating a collaborative environment, fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect and championing the University’s values and guiding principles. As a senior leader within the Faculty, you will be a visible role model, demonstrating the highest standards of leadership and behaviour and contributing strategically to the development of an outstanding professional service.

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
•    This is primarily a leadership role, requiring experience of effectively motivating, leading and developing colleagues.  The role will be required to manage colleagues and resources, delivering through others, sometimes without direct line management
•    Experience of developing and implementing coherent and comprehensive strategies to support the University and the Faculty in maintaining and enhancing world-class research position
•    Experience in a senior research leadership role, including strategic research planning and evidence of the ability to contribute effectively and creatively to the development, communication and implementation of policy
•    Effective contribution to organisational change
•    Collaborating, negotiating with and influencing diverse stakeholders
•    Experience of Horizon Scanning - monitoring external developments and assessing their impact on the University
•    Experience of leading a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion
•    Ability to recognise and analyse the dynamics of problems and issues and provide innovative solutions
•    Thinks strategically and comfortable working at a complex level including the management of conflicting priorities and demands
•    Strong digital literacy skills and can communicate and collaborate easily using digital tools; early adopter of new technologies that support the role and development of research 
•    Data literate, able to question the integrity and validity data to support strategic decision making
Desirable
•    Experience of leading submission to Research Assessment Exercises
•    Extensive understanding and knowledge of the national and international research environment

Attributes and Behaviour

•    Able to effectively collaborate and communicate with a variety of colleagues and stakeholders.  Acts in a collaborative, inclusive, transparent and open manner, acting with integrity and able to build high levels of trust
•    Creative thinking – ability to come up with new ideas, problem-solving, imagining beyond the status quo
•    High drive and initiative, able to demonstrate professional resilience
•    An articulate, confident and politically adept communicator, ready and able to deal with difficult situations and to challenge where necessary
•    Takes the initiative to develop and implement new ideas and approaches
•    An energetic and “can do” approach which will inspire and enthuse others, ready to take the lead in driving forward initiatives
•    Possesses the personal stature to engage with and earn the respect and good will of peers and more senior colleagues

Qualifications

•    Degree or equivalent level qualification plus experience in a similar research- related role or significant vocational experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding, relevant roles.
•    A postgraduate leadership qualification 
 

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26136