Director of Doctoral Research College
Doctoral Research

Location: University House
Salary: £70,506 to £76,636 per annum 
Permanent

Reference: 022020-57 

At Birmingham City University we are investing strategically in growing the quality, volume, subject coverage and impact of research undertaken by our academic staff and post-graduate research (PGR) students. We are currently seeking a Director for the Doctoral Research College, a new post created by the growth of the University’s Research Office. 

Our research is closely linked to our mission as “The University for Birmingham” and our record of collaborations and partnerships with a diverse range of private, public and third sector organisations.
Doctoral students are supported “from admission to award” by our Doctoral Research College (DRC), a partnership between academic colleagues in our four faculties and professional services colleagues in the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) department. The DRC is responsible collectively for all academic elements of research degrees provision including skills training for research and employability and the professional development of PGRs and for the registry functions for PGR students. 

The Director DRC will be responsible to the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise for all aspects of the University’s research degrees provision by: 

• Contributing to the University’s strategy for research and research degrees provision.
• Chairing the University’s Research Environment and Training Committee.
• Ensuring the University’s research degrees provision meets the expectations of  the UK Quality Code For Higher Education.
• Representing the University at key network events and be the institutional link for doctoral training with UKRI and other funders.
• Working in partnership with faculty-based Associate Deans for Research on implementation of Birmingham City University’s strategy for doctoral research degrees provision to:
• improve quality;
• grow PGR numbers
• enhance institutional reputation
• Ensuring effective operations and budgetary control of the Doctoral Research College professional services team.    

The Director DRC will work in partnership with the Director of Research Excellence and Director of the Research and Innovation Gateway in the Research Office and other professional services directors across the University.    

The Director DRC will have the opportunity to remain personally research active in their cognate discipline or in areas linked to doctoral training provision. A professorial title will be available to suitably qualified and experienced individuals through a separate application process.   

The successful applicant will have a thorough knowledge of the strategic and funding landscape concerning doctoral training and an in-depth understanding of the current challenges facing the HE sector. Of equal importance is the capacity to influence and inform strategic objectives concerning research degrees programmes and doctoral training activities and play a leading role in relevant projects, working groups, committees and consultations and a commitment to partnership working across faculties and professional services departments in order to provide the highest levels of service. 

Our staff and student community is defined by our core values, which outline who we are as a University and how we will work with each other. Our core values are Excellence, People focused, Partnership working and Fairness and integrity. 

Informal discussions concerning this post may be addressed to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Julian Beer tel. 0121-331-5560. 

Closing Date: Sunday 01 March 2020  

Interview Date: To be confirmed