Professor and Head of Doctoral College ) - Derby, DE22 1GB
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
Innovation and research is at the heart of everything we do at Derby; it informs our learning and teaching, supports businesses, drives partnerships and provides real-world impact.
The University Innovation & Research Department (I&R) is responsible for our research and knowledge exchange activities including funding opportunities, knowledge transfer partnerships, researcher development, ethics, impact, the Doctoral College, postgraduate research students, and external returns including the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
About the Role
In this senior academic leadership role, you will serve as Head of the Doctoral College alongside your professorial position, shaping and driving the University’s vision for postgraduate research. You will provide strategic and academic leadership for all Postgraduate Research (PGR) programmes, overseeing the full student journey from recruitment through to graduation. Central to the role is advancing the quality, reputation and growth of our research degree provision, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in which doctoral researchers can thrive, and championing excellence in research training, supervision and scholarly practice.
You will lead the development and delivery of the University’s PGR strategy, ensuring our programmes meet national and international standards while continually enhancing the PGR student experience. Working closely with senior academic leaders, you will help embed PGRs within the wider research culture of the institution and develop opportunities for innovative programmes, doctoral training centres, and partnerships with external organisations.
The role carries responsibility for quality assurance and enhancement across all research degrees, including oversight of surveys, regulatory processes, casework, appeals and complaints. You will guide recruitment strategies, promote strong supervisory practice, and ensure effective pastoral and academic support for all PGR students. In addition, you will lead the design and delivery of supervision training, mentoring and professional development initiatives, and support career planning for our doctoral community.
You will also manage the resources and budget of the Doctoral College, secure funding to strengthen doctoral research, and provide leadership to staff within the College. Maintaining strong relationships with the Students’ Union, academic departments, student-facing services and external networks will be essential. Through effective governance, collaboration and strategic foresight, you will ensure the University continues to offer outstanding postgraduate research opportunities aligned with institutional priorities and sector best practice.
About You
You will hold a doctoral degree and bring a strong record of research and scholarly achievement, along with significant experience in academic leadership—ideally within postgraduate education. You will have a proven ability to develop and manage academic programmes, support and mentor doctoral students, contribute to University governance, and drive innovation and excellence aligned with institutional strategy. A track record of delivering research excellence, evidenced through high‑quality outputs and income generation, is essential.
You will demonstrate outstanding leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, working effectively with diverse stakeholders and managing complex projects with confidence. Strong analytical ability, resilience, sound judgement and the capacity to innovate are key, alongside a thorough understanding of postgraduate research provision and the wider sector context. You will also bring awareness of the financial and strategic factors shaping the Doctoral College’s ambitions.
A commitment to postgraduate education and an excellent student experience is vital, along with a willingness to support University events such as Graduation, Open Days and Clearing, including occasional evening or weekend commitments.
Benefits
* Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
* Teacher’s Pension Scheme
* Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
* Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
* Discounted onsite gym
* Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
* Holiday purchase
* Cycle to Work scheme
* A flexible working environment
* A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor Myra Conway, Interim Provost (Innovation and Research) via
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via
Important Information
Application Process
In order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to demonstrate proven achievement against two criteria:
1. Significant achievement in at least one of either
* Research or
* Professional Practice or
* Teaching & learning
and must also demonstrate
2.High level of achievement in relation to both
* Professional Standing and
* Senior leadership
As well as completing our online application form, please provide the following documentation:
* An up to date current curriculum vitae;
* A supporting covering letter outlining your suitability to the underlying role requirement, and;
* The names of two employment referees (including ideally, the last line manager/HR)
In addition, in order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to provide:
* A written statement evidencing how you meet the criteria for the award of the title of Professor;
* Details of four appropriately qualified referees (of at least Professor status) in relation to the Professorial title.
You can upload these documents whilst completing your online application.
Further information can be found in the conferment pack.
Please note that the details provided in your application may be shared with your referees, by submitting your application you are providing your consent.
This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).
If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:
* Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
* You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
* You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
* You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.
For more information, visit our website .
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybodys concern.
Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here .
Closing Date: 08 Mar 2026
Area: Senior Management
Salary: £59,688 to £74,610 per annum
(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £85,802 per annum)