Location: This position is based on the Heriot-Watt University campus in Edinburgh, with a convenient commute expected from your home location.
As a forward-thinking and research-driven institution, Heriot-Watt University boasts a commendable history of pioneering ideas and solutions. Utilizing multidisciplinary methods, engaging in substantial international collaboration, and maintaining strong ties with industry, we strive to tackle real-world challenges directly. Our commitment to enhancing our impact is evident through our Global Research Institutes, cutting-edge research, the recruitment of new research leaders, and the provision of PhD scholarships in promising research areas. The Global Research Institutes are designed to:
– Act as collaboration hubs both within the University and globally, composing interdisciplinary research teams to devise innovative solutions to worldwide issues.
– Promote the transformation of fundamental research into practical devices, products, and services in partnership with the third sector, industry, and business.
– Facilitate industry enhancement by developing tools that enable businesses to upskill their workforce, thus expediting the integration of new technologies and tools.
– Engage proactively with society, business sectors, industry, and governments, specifically in the UK, Middle East, and Asia, ensuring future technologies are aligned with suitable policies.
Our diverse research culture enables us to create groundbreaking approaches to society’s critical challenges, consistently providing inventive solutions that enhance lives and stimulate economic growth. We have a significant opportunity available as the new Deputy Principal for Research and Impact—a vital position within our University Executive team.
Key Strategic Priorities:
1. Collaborate with the Deputy Principal of Business and Enterprise to expand our Global Research Institutes by focusing on:
– Increasing revenue sourced from both industrial collaborations and UKRI funding.
– Enhancing impact through industry engagement.
– Recruiting and retaining essential research staff and capabilities.
– Extending our global reach across all campuses.
2. Lead preparations for and submission of Heriot-Watt University’s REF2029, including joint submissions with the University of Edinburgh in Engineering and Mathematics.
3. Advance the Research Futures Hub as a central element in developing our research culture, particularly concerning postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.
4. Oversee the Research Excellence Grant with an emphasis on implementing the University strategy.
5. Contribute significantly to the implementation of Strategy 2035 as a University Executive member, focusing on research and impact to ensure our standing as a QS250-ranked institution or better.
Budgets: The role involves overseeing the resources allocated to research and impact funding and being accountable for institutional budgets. This includes the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) Research Excellence Grant, REG-Postgraduate Research and capital budgets, and allocations from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Institutional Doctoral Landscape Award and EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account.
Essential Experience:
– Distinguished, internationally recognized track record in research leadership demonstrated through academic accomplishments and impact.
– Proven leadership experience pertinent to managing a diverse, multifaceted University with various disciplinary schools and global locations.
– International acknowledgment, such as being a Fellow of a Professional Academy.
– Familiarity with the research and innovation funding landscape and governance systems in the UK, Malaysia, and UAE.
– Strategic, commercially insightful, and resilient outlook.
– Excellent communication skills paired with an inspirational leadership approach to engage and motivate staff and research students.
– Collaborative with strong relationships management skills, sound judgment, and the ability to cultivate partnerships and garner stakeholder support.
University Executive Purpose Statement:
The central responsibility of the University Executive is to helm and guide the entire University while executing institutional strategy aligned with our mission and values. The Executive is accountable for decision-making and inspiring staff and students to foster a responsive, sustainable, and resilient University community driven by purpose and values.
Primary Tasks:
– Provide leadership and management University-wide to validate its purpose.
– Manage and report on strategy delivery, particularly focusing on the Research and Enterprise strategy.
– Establish and approve the annual financial plan.
– Set strategic performance targets and indicators, especially for the Research and Enterprise Strategy.
– Oversee performance delivery, assessing risks and opportunities, and adjust plans as required to optimize outcomes.
– Approve priorities for key strategic projects.
– Formulate and support enabling strategies for growth, organizational development, and strategic outcome achievement.
– Inspire and support staff, cultivating future leaders and a thriving environment.
Additional Information:
The appointment will be made at the Professor (G10) level, with an initial renewable five-year term for the Deputy Principal role. Candidates may, by special agreement, dedicate up to 20% of their time to personal research annually. The primary location for this position is Edinburgh; however, occasional travel to other campuses and venues may be required.
Heriot-Watt University is dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity in employment and fostering an inclusive environment where individuals are judged solely on relevant merits and abilities. We value diversity across our community and encourage applications from all societal sectors, especially underrepresented groups. For more details, visit our website and explore our award-winning Disability Inclusive Science Careers initiative. Use our total rewards calculator to evaluate the benefits offered by Heriot-Watt University.
How to Apply:
Submit a Cover Letter (maximum two pages) outlining your suitability for the role along with your CV. Your CV should detail your research and leadership experience, international impact and recognition, professional affiliations, and network, and list your ten most influential publications.
Application Deadline: 17th January 2025
Candidates are expected to participate in campus tours and additional meetings during the weeks of 3rd and 10th February. Interviews are anticipated for the week commencing 17th February.
For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Gary Anderson, Head of Recruitment, at g.anderson@hw.ac.uk