This is the job description for the Professor Grade 10. Senior Lecturer Grade 9 JD is available here. Please specify which position(s) you wish to be considered for on your cover letter.

Job Purpose

To take a senior leadership role by conducting internationally-leading research on social and public policy, delivering research-led education and demonstrating excellence in teaching that supports the strategic objectives and priorities of the School/College in line with the University’s ambitions, and makes a substantial contribution to enhancing teaching and research within the School/College. To undertake substantial responsibilities associated with managing external stakeholder relationships that enhance the University’s reputation, advance knowledge exchange, public understanding and outreach and strengthen links with professional bodies. The post is based in the Subject of Social and Urban Policy within the Division of Urban Studies and Social Policy in the School of Social and Political Science.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership across the School and College in relation to research and publication in order to enhance the quality of the School’s international research profile, including conducting personal research of the highest quality and maintaining a consistent high-level output of publications and presentations of world-class quality.

2. Sustain internationally leading high-quality research activity, seeking and securing funding for a portfolio of research projects through grant applications to external funding bodies, e.g. Research Councils and mentoring early career staff to support their development in securing funding.

3. Take a leading role across the School and College in relation to strategic learning and teaching initiatives through: embedding a research-led, evidence-based ethos in teaching and learning; leading on teaching collaborations and teaching innovations; and influencing teaching and assessment practices and policy across the School/College.

4. Undertake academic management and leadership roles and responsibilities across the School and College in a manner that enhances the student experience, ensures programmes are internationally benchmarked and of international standing, and that values and supports a culture of enhancement.

5. Demonstrate leadership in supervising research projects undertaken by research staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students and ensure the effective development of the staff and students. Actively engage with potential research students of high calibre intending to undertake postgraduate and doctoral research, building effective working relationships and supervising to completion. This includes leadership in securing PhD studentship funding.

6. Make a substantial contribution to University Committees/Working Groups to ensure the advancement of learning and teaching policies and practice that align with local and international challenges in Higher Education, evolving student needs and other related changes in the University’s strategic context. This includes leadership in championing innovation in teaching and student-centred learning.

7. Build effective internal and external collaborations to support the development and mentoring of academic staff and their learning, and to enhance research and teaching within the Subject, Division,  School and College. This includes leadership in supporting career development, especially for early-career colleagues.

8. Represent the Subject/Division/School/College/University on key external bodies and at significant external events nationally and internationally to promote excellence in research and teaching, and the development of professional practice.

9. Ensure a substantial track record of, and demonstrate leadership in, knowledge creation and transfer, ensuring impact on external bodies and contributions to public understanding and contributing fully to key strategic initiatives that underpin School, College and University strategies for external engagement.

10. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the the Subject Group Lead, Head of Division, and Head of School.

12. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan. 

Qualifications

Essential

A1 SCQF level 12 (PhD) or equivalent in Social/Public Policy or related discipline with an extensive and established reputation in research and significant teaching experience within the discipline/subject area

A2 An established and internationally-recognised reputation for high-quality research and knowledge exchange in subject specialism. This includes a track record of published research of international excellence compatible with enhancing the University’s submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF)

A3 A thorough understanding of, and track record in, contributing to broader academic leadership and management at School/Research Institute (RI)/Service/College level. This includes a proven commitment to leading a research group and supporting the career development of colleagues, and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage

A4 Engagement with the current and future priorities of University/College/Service/Division/Subject strategies, aims and ambitions

A5 Membership of a relevant professional body, as appropriate

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

C1 Proven ability to lead and deliver high quality and innovative University teaching, including assessment and curriculum development, and particularly relating to diversifying the curriculum and expanding post-graduate teaching

C2 A track record of research income generation from a range of sources, including UK funding councils or equivalent, and involving projects with inter-disciplinary components, multi-institutional, non-academic, and/or international partners, and funding for knowledge exchange activities

C3 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of research issues and debates, both nationally and internationally, and future direction of research and teaching in social and public policy. This includes evidence of contributing novel theoretical, methodological, empirical and cultural perspectives within the discipline

C4 Maintaining a portfolio of research activity of international quality, reputation and impact, as appropriate for social and public policy and including knowledge exchange activities

C5 Providing academic leadership across the Subject/Division/School/College, leading innovation and management of teaching, setting standards and monitoring progress. This includes evidence of ability to lead significant research programmes and contribute to leadership activities associated with REF submission

C6 Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels within Subject/Division/School/College/University, and beyond, in the academic, policy and practitioner communities

C7 Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collegiality and collaborative working

C8 Proven ability to foster research collaborations with colleagues in other disciplines, Schools, Colleges and Universities as appropriate

C9 Excellent skills in building external stakeholder relationships that enhance the University’s reputation, advance knowledge exchange, public engagement, and strengthen links with relevant professional bodies or other organisations, where appropriate

C10 Proven project, people and budget management skills

C11 Leading student supervision and mentoring/coaching early career staff, providing specialist advice, support and academic leadership

C12 Contributing to the academic leadership and management of the Subject/Division/School/College, or equivalent, e.g. by chairing committees and leading on key processes and new initiatives

C13 Demonstrated commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication

C14 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage

C15 Ability to disseminate conceptual and complex ideas to a wide variety of audiences, including non-academic audiences, to promote understanding, particularly in relation to the key thematic priorities of the School/College and/or one or more of the specialisms specified in the job purpose

C16 Substantial track record of developing and devising teaching programmes, techniques and methods, including for accessible and inclusive learning and/or student-centred learning

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 9, £58,596 - £65,814 per annum or within the Professorial range and subject to negotiation.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended.

Closing Date: 3rd March 2025 at 23:45