Director of the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS)

This role will provide an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team of a Russell Group University and to innovate in highly successful education and research programmes across the breadth of the Biological Sciences, also encompassing agriculture, food and sustainable development. The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences (MHLS) has exceptional performance in external assessments of esteem and is responsible for significant new investment in infrastructure through the Belfast Regional City Deal which has a major focus on Health and Life Sciences.

The School of Biological Sciences (SBS) and IGFS has over 220 staff and 1400 students, it was ranked Number 1 in REF 2021 for Agriculture, Food & Veterinary Sciences with 94% of research classified as world leading or internationally excellent. SBS is also ranked 1st in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry, 1st for Food Science, 10th for Animal Science and 15th for Biological Sciences in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2025. The School holds an Athena SWAN Gold award for its sustained commitment to gender equality.

The Director of IGFS will report to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Medicine, Health and Life Sciences) and will play a key role in leading the development of interdisciplinary research and postgraduate education on relevant themes. Research in the Institute is organised into four challenge-driven themes, 1. Agriculture and Environmental Resilience; 2. Food Integrity; 3. Nutrition and Preventive Medicine and 4. Enabling Technologies, Data and Digital Innovation.

Working alongside the Head of School and Deputy Head of School, the Director of IGFS will manage the Institute so as to enhance the University’s international excellence in interdisciplinary research and teaching in line with Strategy 2030. The Institute will continue to further enhance the profile of the Queen’s University, as a centre of excellence in policy-societal and industry relevant, research aligned to Faculty and University strategy.

Reporting to the Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences (FMHLS), the Director of IGFS will be a member of Faculty Management Committee and will contribute to Faculty and University policies and provide the leadership link between Faculty and Institute structures.

Essential Criteria:

1. A degree and postgraduate doctorate (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
   2. Evidence of high-quality delivery of research and innovation at a senior level in an academic institution with a strong academic record and a recognised research or professional profile in one of the disciplines represented within the School.
   3. Successful track record of academic leadership, team building and performance management with a leadership style that engenders a positive collaborative culture.
   4. Sustained record of having a major contribution and leading in successful bids for competitive, peer-reviewed national or international grants or other awards as Principal Investigator, as appropriate to the discipline.
   5. Demonstrable alignment with Queen’s core values to enhance the reputation and performance of Queen's in local, regional, national, and international settings.
   6. Demonstrable ability to undertake a representational role, both within the University and externally, and to communicate with people and organisations at all levels and in particular with policymakers and bodies in the public, private and community sectors and elsewhere.
   7. A strong interest in the policy and management processes within the University and a thorough knowledge of current issues in higher education more generally.
   8. Ability to identify, create and articulate a coherent vision for the Institute.
   9. Skills in effective creation and leading multi-disciplinary teams and ability to motivate academic staff.
   10. Demonstrable ability to think creatively.
   11. Self-reliant and the ability to cope with pressure and conflicting demands.
   12. Demonstrate commitment to developing the role of the Director.
   13. Excellent presentation, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
   14. Excellent interpersonal, social, negotiating and team-building skills and evidence of ability to effectively chair committees and working groups.
   15. Commitment to equality of opportunity for students and staff and to the development of Queen's as a pluralist institution.

Desirable Criteria:

1. Demonstrable evidence of individual contribution, or as part of team, to the management of change within a university environment.
   2. Demonstrable evidence of successful resource management.
   3. Demonstrable evidence of leadership in the successful identification, development and implementation of initiatives and policies.

Additional Information:

1. Queen's University Belfast is a diverse and international institution which is strongly committed to equality of opportunity and to selection on merit. Currently, women are under-represented in academic leadership positions. Accordingly, applications from women are particularly welcome.
2. Workload Allocation/Anticipated Commitment: The Director of IGFS requires a time commitment of approximately 3 days per week. We welcome applications from those wishing to work on a full and part time basis and are happy to discuss how the role can be undertaken alongside flexible working patterns.
3. Duration of appointment: Appointment to this post will be for an initial period to 31 August 2030.
4. The Director of IGFS will become a member of the Faculty Management Committee and will participate as required in any relevant groups/committees on behalf of the Pro Vice Chancellor.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more on our website.

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit our website.

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application.