Director of Research and Innovation Services - UOD964

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious and people-driven professional to join the University of Dundee to head up its Research & Innovation Services (RIS) Directorate. The Director of RIS is a senior post in the University’s Professional Services, leading a Directorate consisting of three areas of core academic importance – Research; Commercial; and Regional Engagement – including 8 teams and around 45 colleagues. Research & Innovation Services as a function is centralised at the University and the postholder will lead on all professional services aspects of research, regional development, commercialisation and innovation work at a world-leading university, with the ultimate goal of informing and driving the delivery of the University Strategy to 2027 and in particular play a key role in the development and implementation of our sub-strategies for Research with Impact and Enterprise & Engagement

The Director will provide strategic leadership, support and direction from a Professional Services perspective to ensure that the University’s ambitious plans for growth in activity and performance are delivered - across the spectrum of research, knowledge exchange, commercialisation and regional development. Working closely with the 3 Assistant Directors – Research; Commercial; Regional Engagement and RIS Operations –, they will develop and grow the RIS Directorate and its services in line with the relevant sub-strategy. In particular, the Director will work closely with the VP (Research) and VP (Enterprise & Economic Transformation) and School leadership to fine-tune strategies and support performance across the Schools. In particular, he/she will play a critical role in developing RIS in the key areas by which the University’s success will be measured.

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level and a relevant postgraduate degree or other relevant professional qualification/experience may be an advantage.

The opportunity:

→ Providing strategic direction in support of the development and enhancement of all aspects of core research support, including in relation to grant-getting, research culture/governance, researcher development and the Research Excellence Framework.

→ Providing strategic direction in support of the development and enhancement of all areas of commercial activity for the University, including technology development, licensing, business incubation, spinout company formation, venture funding and development funding.

→ Supporting the development and enhancement of the University’s regional strategy, including as a key member of the Regional Development Strategy Board.

The post requires:

→ Knowledge and understanding of the main issues relevant to research, commercialisation, and knowledge exchange in a complex multi-disciplinary university setting.

→ Knowledge of the key issues affecting the University’s performance in research and knowledge exchange and the ability to address them.

→ Ability to contribute to, and deliver, knowledge-based regional economic development initiatives and formulate policy interventions to develop a regional innovation framework.

To apply, please follow the online steps and submit a comprehensive CV along with a covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. Please include current salary details and the names and contact details of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and only with your prior permission.

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