Director of Strategic Research Funding - 0405-24

View All Vacancies Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
Location:  

Bailrigg, Lancaster UK

Closing Date:  

Friday 26 April 2024

Interview Date:  

Monday 13 May 2024

Reference:  

0405-24

Please note: this job is only available to current employees of Lancaster University

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) is seeking to appoint a Director of Strategic Research Funding.  This senior leadership role is open to internal applicants only who must be existing members of academic staff within the Faculty.  The role is normally occupied by colleagues at Senior Lecturer/Grade 9 level or above. It is a requirement of this post that applicants have a contract of employment at the University which extends for at least 4 years upon appointment to the role of Director.   

Term of office

You will be expected to begin in role on 1 June 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The post amounts to a 0.4 FTE appointment; this will be fully reflected in workload allocation models. The position is for an initial term of four years, potentially renewable for one further year, within the Faculty’s Director appointment process. The department from which the appointee comes will be appropriately supported to cover any effects on the delivery of its teaching programmes.  

On completion of your term of office the Director will revert automatically to their substantive position, unless the appointment is renewed. The University reserves the right, in exceptional circumstances, to end the term of office earlier than the scheduled expiry date, following a performance review by the Dean, at which point they would revert to their substantive position.   

The role

This is an opportunity to become a member of the Faculty Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the Dean and the Associate Dean for Research and as a member of Dean’s Group and the Policy and Resources Committee (PRC). The role of Director provides academic leadership for the Faculty, to develop strategies around the funding of our research, shape our approach to this aspect of the important portfolio of Research and inspire and engage Faculty colleagues in the delivery of these. The role is also an opportunity to gain valuable insight and experience in working with relevant central University colleagues and divisions. You will represent the Faculty within and beyond the University.  

You will provide leadership to the Faculty in relation to specific aspects of the Research portfolio, working closely with the Associate Dean for Research. In particular, the Director will increase the appetite for external research funding, stimulate and support interdisciplinary faculty teams to respond to funding calls, and anticipate funding opportunities for our colleagues, such as calls from Horizon Europe. This a significant career opportunity to be a key member of the Faculty’s leadership team.

Reward and recognition

Salary supplement

In recognition for taking on the role, the Director will receive a non-superannuable responsibility allowance of £2,000 per annum or opt for part of this to be paid into their research account. You will also be offered an additional Faculty Personal Research Allowance (PRA), with the exact amount to be confirmed at the commencement of each financial, non-superannuable, noting this is currently set at £1,500 for 2023/24. 

Application Process

To apply, please complete the on-line application process by submitting your application via the Stonefish system by 26 April 2024 in the following format:

1. A covering letter (2 x A4 max of text) to include an expression of interest, noting why you wish to apply, your intended vision for and approach to the role, giving examples relating to the areas of responsibility listed in the job description.   

2. A separate document articulating how you would intend to approach the areas listed under Essential and Desirable skills, noting any relevant experience, and what professional development you would welcome in support. 

3. Your up-to-date CV.  

Please note that references are not required. 

Interviews of shortlisted candidates will take place in person on 13 May 2024, with the panel being chaired by the FASS Executive Dean. 

We are committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the Faculty, and supporting family-friendly, flexible and agile working policies. We encourage applications from all diversity groups.  

Enquiries

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact the FASS Executive Dean, Edward Simpson, via the Executive Assistant for his role, Monika Zaczek at [email protected] . 

Ed would be pleased to discuss with prospective applicants the vision and challenges for the role and the possibilities for career development. Prospective applicants may also wish to approach Suzanne Ost (AD Research) or Chris Macleod (Director of Internationalisation) for insight into what it is like to be a Director and member of the Faculty Senior Leadership Team.

If you have an enquiry about the application process, please contact the Faculty Resources Manager, Amanda Harrison at [email protected] .

Further details:

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

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