Professor of Entrepreneurship (SMEs)

School of Business and Creative Industries

Paisley Campus (with travel to other locations)

THE POST – Professor of Entrepreneurship (SMEs)

Due to a continued significant investment in our academic portfolio, the School of Business and Creative Industries (SBCI) are seeking applications from appropriately experienced individuals to join as Professor. You will join a dedicated team who strive to continuously inspire our students and wider University community – and, through impactful research, continue to deliver innovative solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.  UWS SBCI is No 1 in Scotland for delivering successful management Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (mKTP).  In December 2021 the School was awarded the Small Business Charter, which is a significant achievement reflecting the high quality of our enterprise activities. We also have close connections with the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) and Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI).

Following a review of our research groupings UWS SCBI is committed to investing in Professorial research leadership to grow our income and deliver greater impact in areas we believe are central to our future. One of these is in Entrepreneurship, focussed on innovation, Entrepreneurship eco systems, and Entrepreneurship in action for SMEs.

The post holder will be required to lead existing research, in and around Entrepreneurship and develop further research areas and drive the School’s ambitious targets for research, knowledge exchange and research informed teaching excellence. The post holder will lead and manage a group of academics currently engaged in a variety of research areas. Therefore, a demonstrable breadth of collegiate activity across business disciplines related to digital business and transformation would be advantageous. 

With a significant international reputation, the Professor will be responsible for contributing significantly to SCBI. They will be expected to contribute to teaching programmes at all levels and fulfil an active involvement in the leadership, management and strategic development of School as well as actively participate in the University Professoriate. A key outcome area will be to mentor and contribute to the development of early and mid-career researchers and continue to create a critical mass of research excellence.

The successful candidate should have the following:

• Doctorate in relevant subject area
• Extensive experience as a scholar/researcher with an international reputation, in Entrepreneurship among SMEs
• Involvement in a REF Impact Case Study, or equivalent and/or engaging with UN
• SDGs related to SMEs Leadership in the development of a successful research group/centre
• Evidence of external engagement, in terms of research, and knowledge exchange, and engagement with professional bodies or other external organisations
• Evidence of significant and continuous successful income generation from external funding bodies
• Successful record of supervising doctoral research students to completion
• Significant higher education teaching experience in business and management, influencing change at undergraduate and postgraduate level

ABOUT US

UWS was named Higher Educational Institution of the Year in The Herald Higher Education Awards 2022 and is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 600 universities worldwide (2022 World University Rankings) as well as in the top 150 universities worldwide under 50 years old (2022 Young University Rankings). University of the West of Scotland is one of Scotland’s largest and most dynamic modern universities. Our reach across the country, together with our London campus, means that UWS is a significant force in global knowledge creation, innovation, and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education. Our degrees provide students with a transformational experience; equipping them with highly sought-after graduate skills that set them up for global success in world-leading sectors, industries and businesses.

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic school and community in which to achieve your own career development and purpose while leading others to fulfil theirs. UWS SBCI is No 1 in Scotland for delivering successful management KTPs.  mKTPs usually address both SME and digital business transformations. We plan to significantly increase the scale of our research activity, leading successful cross-discipline, international research bids, which grow the University’s research reputation, increase the impact of our research, and generate higher levels of research income.

Our Lord Smith of Kelvin Research and Enterprise Centre is a major driver of our research intentions, knowledge transfer partnerships, innovation, spin-off and enterprise activities. The Centre will be an enabler for deep collaboration across conventional academic disciplines and a connection to partners outside of academia, supporting the mission to tackle world-issues.

UWS aims to become a stand-out university committed to tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Priority areas will focus on local needs that can be applied globally, including ageing, sport, health, economics and the future of work and care.

SCBI has established research centres and research leadership in CAREED and SILM, and new Professorial appointments will grow research groupings in targeted priority fields.

We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes:

• 35 days annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
• 23% employer’s pension contribution, including death in service benefits on joining the pension scheme
• A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
• Employee discount scheme across 3,500 retailers
• Fitness facilities across our campuses
• Free gym membership
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional, career and research development opportunities

Informal enquiries about the role, can be made to Lorraine Quinn, Head of Division, by email to lorraine.quinn@uws.ac.uk

Further information on the Professor vacancy can be found here, apply at https://jobs.uws.ac.uk/

Closing Date:             26 March 2023          

Interview Date:          24 April 2023

The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.

UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.

UWS is a “Disability Confident” employer.

University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520.