Provost’s Visiting Professor Programme

Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading institutions for research and teaching in the natural sciences, medicine, engineering and business, seeks outstanding and enthusiastic researchers and educators to join as visiting academics by appointment through the Provost’s Visiting Professor (PVP) Programme. This is a superb opportunity for academics interested in taking sabbatical leave from their current institution, to join Imperial. 

The Programme has been established to address underrepresentation in Imperial’s academic community by building sustainable, long-term collaborations with distinguished international academics from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. These appointments will enhance Imperial’s global academic networks, strengthen research and teaching partnerships, and raise the visibility of scholars from groups historically excluded in academia.

Building a diverse community of staff and students is one of the cornerstones of Imperial’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Imperial is committed to improving gender diversity and racial equality. It has developed plans to do this as part of its Race Equality Charter (REC) and Athena Swan action plans, which aim to improve the representation, progression and success of women and minority ethnic staff and students at Imperial and in higher education. 

By fostering meaningful engagement between visiting professors and their home institutions with Imperial academics and students, the PVP Programme helps to develop academic pipelines and inclusive networks that support future recruitment, mentorship and leadership opportunities for scholars from diverse backgrounds.

Applications are invited for the visiting professorships from scholars with international reputations in their fields. We are specifically looking for candidates from underrepresented groups such as Black and Minority Ethnic and female scholars.

The annual programme will host up to four new visitors per year with appointments lasting between 6 and 12 months. Whilst not receiving a salary from their current institution during the sabbatical leave, appointees will be paid a salary at the appropriate Imperial academic scale along with a contribution towards relocation costs and a research support fund. 

Visiting Professors will participate in Imperial by appointment in a host department on the basis of both their proposed research programme and their plans for engagement with the wider Imperial community through a set of agreed minimum expectations including networking opportunities, lectures and seminars in academic courses, well-publicised general-audience or public lectures, and will actively engage students and staff across Imperial.

We are looking for candidates with an international reputation and expertise in their field of research. They will have a sustained track record in research (e.g. publications, patents and grants) and will have made distinctive and impactful contributions to their field.

Applicants will need to provide evidence of contributions to the development and performance of colleagues through coaching and mentoring. Additionally, the post-holder must have the experience and capability to act as a role model in areas of research, teaching and management as appropriate. 

We expect the post-holder to participate fully in Imperial life, and support its objectives in equality, diversity, and inclusion.

A full list of responsibilities and essential requirements can be seen in the attached Job Description.

Duration: between 6 and 12 months

Total Remuneration Package

Our Total Remuneration Package (TRP) for staff is a key component of realising Imperial College’s strategic aim. The TRP is the overall package of pay, recognition, pensions and other benefits by which we compensate staff for their contributions to Imperial’s mission. Imperial College supports many initiatives to support staff in their personal life (flexible working, staff networks, support for staff, childcare and carers).

Benefits to support an active lifestyle and health initiatives, such as cycle to work scheme, whereby you apply for an interest free loan for the purchase of a bicycle to encourage cycling to work for fitness.

Please see our Further particulars for more information about Imperial and the benefits available to staff.

Childcare 

Our staff have access to the Early Years Education Centre which is the Imperial College’s ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rated nursery, located at the South Kensington Campus. We also have other affiliated nurseries located at other campuses. All staff working directly with children have specialist training, and children benefit from continuity of care.

How to apply: 

In addition to completing the online application, candidates should attach their Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Applicants should contact three referees before applying to ensure their willingness, if required, to provide a reference for your application. Applicants should also seek their current employer’s permission to undertake an unpaid sabbatical leave to take up the PVP post should they be successful for the post. We would encourage applicants to identify the Imperial Department and/or research group that best suits their field of work and to make contact with them before applying.

Applications for this role close on Monday, 26 January 2026 (23:59 hours Midnight GMT)

For queries on the PVP Programme, please contact:

Maria Monteiro, Senior Appointments Manager, Email: m.monteiro@imperial.ac.uk

The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where animal research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level.