Director of Research Services

Location: Hull (with hybrid working options)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 14^th September 2025

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for research excellence and impact? Do you thrive in a dynamic, ambitious environment where your expertise can shape and enhance the future of research at the University of Hull?

We are currently seeking an exceptional individual to lead our Research Services team as Director of Research Services. This is a pivotal role within our Research and Knowledge Exchange Directorate, supporting the delivery of our bold and ambitious University Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy, and developing and enhancing the University’s national and international profile for quality research.

About the Role

As Director of Research Services, you will lead a highly professional team that supports researchers and the research agenda across the University to achieve excellence in research, secure external funding, and deliver impactful outcomes. You will work closely with the PVC (R&E), other senior academic and professional colleagues to develop and implement strategies that enhance the University’s research performance, reputation, and strategic partnerships.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the further development and delivery of the University’s research strategy.
• Supporting the University’s REF submission and strategy.
• Accountable for the overall approach to research governance and institutional oversight on statutory returns, and performance against research performance indicators (RPI’s).
• Building strategic partnerships and collaborative research opportunities.
• Providing expert advice on research policy, performance, and funding.
• Managing a unified, high-performing Research Services team.

About You

We are looking for a visionary leader with:

• Significant senior management experience in a complex, knowledge-intensive environment.
• A strong track record in UK higher education and research leadership.
• Experience of securing external funding and managing research portfolios.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and strategic planning skills.
• A higher degree or equivalent professional qualification.

Why Join Us?

We aspire to be an outstanding research-led University, placed in the top 50 UK universities, with a focus on achieving significant increases in research quality, income and impact.  

We’re creating a nurturing and supportive research environment that encourages and facilitates interdisciplinary working, innovation, creativity and critical thinking, as well as a relentless pursuit of excellence. We are focused on leveraging research findings to enhance and inform our students’ educational experience, growing our PGR community, increasing our externally funded research and ultimately striving for excellence in all our research, knowledge exchange and enterprise to ensure we make a distinctive impact.     

Our research delivers measurable benefits for our communities, locally and globally.  82% of our research was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). 

This is an incredibly exciting time to join the University of Hull and support us on our journey as we enter our centenary year in 2027.

Find out more about our world class research agenda here. For an informal discussion on the role, please contact the Executive Director (Research, Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation Services) via email s.duckering@hull.ac.uk.

To Apply now and to lead a service that is central to our mission and make a lasting impact on the research landscape, click on the apply button above. Applicants should upload an up-to-date CV and covering letter (covering letter to be no more than 2 sides) setting out your experience and suitability for the role as part of the online application form. Applications should be made by 14^th September 2025.

Negotiable salary depending on experience. Should your application be successful at shortlisting we anticipate interviews to be held on 24th September 2025.

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