Head of School Psychology

The University wishes to recruit a Head of School with outstanding expertise to inspire, lead and manage the School of Psychology. The University of Aberdeen is ranked in the top 20 in the UK in both the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and the Guardian University Guide 2022. Globally, the University is consistently ranked among the top 200 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It has been ranked in the top 5 in the UK in both the 2021 and 2022 National Student Surveys.

The School of Psychology is one of 12 Schools within the University and it has undergone a period of expansion in recent years, in terms of both staff and student numbers. It provides an exciting and collaborative research-led learning environment for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies with approximately 1000 students each year.

In addition, research is a key success area and in the last UK-wide assessment of research quality, REF 2021, 94% of the School’s research activity was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent and the School was ranked 27^th out of 93 in the UK in the overall league table, which reflects a combination of working environment, research outputs and research impacts.

The new Head of School will build on this success to provide scholarly and intellectual leadership, fostering collegiality and further develop the School’s strong research, teaching, and learning environment. You will be a research leader with an understanding of the dynamics of research in different areas of psychology and be able to contribute to existing research within the School.  You will be responsible for developing and delivering the School’s strategic plan and leading the School’s contribution to the University’s strategic ambitions as set out in the Aberdeen 2040 vision.

The ideal candidate will be a collegial, and creative individual who wishes to embrace the opportunities of leading the School. You should be ambitious in your vision for the School, be able to build on a success track record, further develop the School’s research culture, and be prepared to lead change to meet requirements of students, staff, research funders and the organisations we interact with. We welcome applicants with a background in any of the School’s experimental research themes.

The successful candidate will undertake the duties of Head of School for the first 5 years of their employment, renewable for a further 3 years. Thereafter they will be employed on an ongoing basis in the School. A specific package of support for research will be agreed with the successful candidate in discussion with the Senior Vice-Principal, who is the line manager for all Heads of School.

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

Salary will be at the appropriate point for academic appointment negotiated according to qualifications and experience.   A responsibility payment for headship applies over and above the academic salary.

The closing date for applications is 16 April 2023.

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

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