UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

HEAD OF SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES

Founded in 1495, Aberdeen is Scotland’s third oldest University and the fifth oldest in the UK. Ranked within the world top 160 in the Times Higher Education Rankings 2019 and named Scottish University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, Aberdeen’s founding purpose is to be ‘open to all and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in the service of others’. 

The School of Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen is one of the top academic units of its type in the UK. The School includes 45 academic staff and 15 research fellows who work within three departments (Archaeology, Geography and Geology) covering areas as diverse as earth resources, the northern Picts and sustainable rural communities. As we transition to a greener future the School is well positioned to lead research that builds on our world-leading petroleum geology expertise to pursue new research in, for example, energy, water resources and the green economy. 

The School has a vibrant community of approximately 120 PhD students and runs 10 taught Masters programmes. The number of students taking our MSc programmes has doubled in the last seven years. The Geology undergraduate degree is ranked #1 in Scotland and 12th in the UK, while Geography is also ranked in the top 20 in the UK in Complete University Guide 2020. The School has a very healthy annual research income (over £3.45 million in financial year 2017-18) of which over 20% was from UK research councils. The remainder came from other sources including industry, government departments and charities. Our submissions to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework Assessment were very highly ranked.  

The University wishes to recruit a Head of School who will provide scholarly and intellectual leadership, fostering collegiality and further developing the School’s strong research, teaching and learning environment. Applicants will be responsible for developing and delivering the School’s strategic plan and leading the School’s contribution to the University’s strategic ambitions. Therefore, excellent interpersonal skills together with a proven record of strategic vision, revenue generation, financial accountability and effective team management are essential. We welcome applicants with a background in any of the School’s discipline areas. 

Applications from women and individuals from protected characteristic groups currently under-represented in University senior leadership positions who would further enhance its diversity are particularly welcome. 

Online application forms are available at www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs.  

The closing date for receipt of applications is 30 August 2019
Should you wish to make an informal enquiry please contact:
Professor Karl Leydecker, Senior Vice-Principal (Tel: 01224 272017 or E-mail: karl.leydecker@abdn.ac.uk) or Professor David Jolley, current Head of School (Tel: 01224 272894 or E-mail: d.jolley@abdn.ac.uk).   

Please do not send application forms or CVs to Professor Leydecker or Professor Jolley. 

Please quote reference HoS Geosciences on all correspondence  

The University pursues a policy of equal opportunities in the appointment and promotion of staff.