Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

LASE University Group: one employer, two universities.

At LASE you are part of something bigger – here we change lives and celebrate student-centred education without boundaries. We open doors, nurture potential, and tackle regional and global challenges together. As a member of the LASE team, you will work alongside talented colleagues, contribute to meaningful change, and benefit from opportunities to collaborate, develop and grow across a unique higher education partnership.

Together, we are transforming lives, enabling confident graduates, advancing knowledge, supporting regional prosperity, and creating an environment where our people can do their best work. We are united by one ambition: to shape futures that matter.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), this newly created role will lead the Group's innovation, commercialisation, knowledge exchange and external engagement agenda, helping establish LASE University Group as a recognised leader in research-led innovation and impact.

The successful candidate will drive the translation of research excellence into economic, social and environmental impact through the development of a high-performing innovation ecosystem. This will include strengthening partnerships with industry, investors, government and funders; growing innovation and commercialisation income; developing pathways for intellectual property, spin-outs and start-ups; and enhancing the Group's performance in knowledge exchange and impact.

Working across the newly formed University Group, the PVC will play a pivotal role in shaping a unified research and innovation community, fostering an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture, and creating the infrastructure, platforms and partnerships that enable innovation at scale. The role will also support the development of innovation hubs, accelerators and mission-led programmes aligned with regional and national priorities.

We are seeking a strategic, influential and externally focused leader with a strong track record in research and innovation, commercialisation, partnership development and organisational leadership. Candidates will bring the credibility, vision and ambition required to deliver transformative growth and position LASE University Group at the forefront of the UK's research and innovation landscape. We encourage you to apply.

Applications should consist of a CV and supporting statement which includes a brief overview of your experience with relevance to the person specification, as well as an indication of the reasons for your interest in this opportunity.

For an informal discussion, please contact Research Associate, Harvir Bains via Harvir.Bains@perrettlaver.com.

For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification and how to apply, please click on the "Request More Information" button. The job reference number is 8614.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 09:00am BST on Monday 28th September 2026.

Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in.

Please visit the following link in order to find more information about the use of personal information provided by candidates to the University: https://www.lase.ac.uk/privacy.