Director of Research and Enterprise

Joining hands with India

The University of Southampton is proud to have launched the University of Southampton Delhi — India’s first comprehensive Foreign Higher Education Institution (FHEI) campus in Delhi NCR.

Currently ranked 87th in the world*, our Strategy encapsulates our Triple Helix of excellence: research, education, knowledge exchange and enterprise.  The University of Southampton Delhi will be the highest-ranked university, and the only world top 100 university, with a campus in India, creating a long-term presence, and undertaking education, research, enterprise and engagement in India.

This campus is one of the University’s top strategic priorities, and as a result, we are seeking a distinguished candidate with an understanding of, and empathy with, India and South Asia to join us as the founding Director of Research and Enterprise. This pivotal role will lead research, knowledge exchange, and enterprise (KEE) activity at the Delhi campus, working collaboratively with the Academic Provost & Associate Vice-President (International), the Chief Operating Officer of the Delhi campus, the Director of Learning and Teaching and wider campus community to shape and implement globally aligned research and KEE strategies.

This role is central to advancing the University’s internationalisation strategy and supporting our aspirations to be a globally relevant and engaged institution. The Delhi campus plays a vital role in this vision, situated in a country that is rapidly emerging as a global power and expanding its higher education landscape.

Join us

The Delhi campus will reflect the University’s vision of building an inclusive world where knowledge transforms lives. The campus will focus on:  

• Advancing research, knowledge exchange, and enterprise that is locally grounded and globally impactful.
• Delivering an exceptional educational experience for all students.
• Applying the real-world benefits of Southampton research to solve fundamental social and environmental challenges on the largest scale, thus enabling India to become the leading light globally on progress with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 
• Building capacity through the provision of transformational enterprise and employment-focused education opportunities to talented but underserved Indian students, thereby also positively impacting their families and communities. 
• Collaborating with Indian thought leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and academic talent to build shared expertise, networks, and insights.

About you

You will bring a strong track record of leading research, knowledge exchange, and enterprise (KEE) across a university, faculty, or branch campus. As a visible and inspiring leader, you will shape and embed research and KEE strategies at the University of Southampton Delhi, working collaboratively to advance the University’s global ambitions. Through collaborative leadership, you will ensure these activities are impactful, future-focused and aligned with University priorities.

With a sophisticated understanding of the global higher education sector and research landscape, you will lead complex, cross-disciplinary initiatives and advance purposeful, innovative and future-driven efforts that align with the University's priorities. Your ability to build strategic partnerships and influence across academic, professional, and external communities will be central to delivering globally connected research and enterprise. 

You will communicate effectively across diverse audiences and demonstrate the authenticity and resilience needed to engage stakeholders and support the University’s wider vision. Crucially, you will navigate regulatory environments in both India and the UK, building strong strategic relationships with funders and partners to drive innovation and success at this pioneering international campus.

A global and diverse university 

A key objective of the University’s International Strategy is to establish three new campuses in strategically important regions, amplifying the global impact of our research, education, and enterprise through long-term, capacity-building and equitable partnerships. Our presence in India,—alongside Malaysia and the UK, will strengthen Southampton’s position as a truly global institution and support our ambition to be among the world’s top 50 universities by 2027–28.

We want to attract people who share our passion for innovation, inclusion, and excellence in research and education. In the UK, we are proud of our Stonewall Diversity Champion status, Athena SWAN silver award and Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, so we must ensure our Delhi campus reflects this inclusive vision and embodies the values that define our University community.

What we can offer you  

The post-holder will be employed by the University’s local subsidiary in India on competitive terms and conditions, with benefits commensurate to the profile of the role.

Additional Information

This post is offered on a tenured basis initially for five years, with an extension of up to a maximum of eight years. At the end of this tenure, the postholder will return to a substantive professorial position within the University.

How to apply 

For more information and details of how to apply, please see the apply button above. Tel: +44 (0)203 290 2907

The closing date for receipt of applications is midnight (BST) on Thursday 2^nd October 2025. 

Important dates 

Following the Search Committee’s longlist meeting, selected candidates will be invited to a telephone interview. Upon completion of all telephone interviews, successful shortlisted candidates will then be invited to India for a two-day selection process: a virtual Engagement Day on Wednesday 19^th November 2025, followed by an in-person Interview Day at the Delhi campus on Thursday 20^th November 2025. Candidates must be available for both days.

*QS World University Rankings, 2026