Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research Studies for the Life,Health and Physical Sciences (0.3 fte)

Located in the Brighton Doctoral College, this rolesupports theDirector of Postgraduate Research Studies in theCollege of Life,Health and Physical Sciences.

We are seeking to expand the balance and experience of the existing teamin order to cover the disciplines in the four Schools of the College:

School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics.

School of Environment and Technology

School Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences

School of Health Science

The Doctoral College Area Office is located at Moulsecoomb, which is where this post is based, but the PGR work in these disciplines spans the three campuses of Moulsecoomb, Falmer and Eastbourne and the appointee must be prepared to work on any Universitysite from time to time.

The post is offered as a secondment opportunity for 30% fte equivalent for 4 years, for someone appointed to an existing university post, graded AC4 or above. TheDeputy Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies (DDPS) for each Brighton Doctoral College Centre implement strategy as the university finalises research infrastructure within the Colleges.

Reporting to the Director of Postgraduate Research Studies (DPS) for Life,Health and Physical Sciencestheappointee will be expected to contribute to postgraduate research environment including:

  • The maintenanceand, in consultation with the DPS, the further development of the researcher development framework, including coordinating and developing PGR supervisory capacity and development of research students’ transferable skills
  • Developing opportunities to provide external financial support for PGR studentships
  • Quality assurance and resource management for postgraduate research degrees.

You will also be expected to deputise for the DPS as required, in particular in chairing a significant number of individual student progression reviews and taking responsibility for other agreed areas of activity.

Given the pivotal role that this position embraces, your work will involve a number of key interactions and extensive communication in the following activities:

  • Supporting the operational leadership of the postgraduate research student experience
  • Contributing to the development of the research environment for PGR students and early career researchers, particularly but not exclusively in Life, Health and Physical Sciences.
  • Contributing to engagement with external bodies associated with postgraduate education, researcher development and the disciplinary andmethodological remits of this area.

You will therefore need:

  • To work closely with the DPS (LHPS)to support the development of postgraduate researchactivities and the effective co-ordination and monitoring of the student experience and progression
  • To be familiar and act in accordance with current University and Doctoral College policies and procedures in chairing postgraduate research student admissions, enrolment, induction, annual progress reviews, MPhil/PhD transfer, thesis outline and completion plan meetings, as well as contributing to the refinement of these procedures as required
  • To remain fully informed of national and international debates relating to postgraduate studies and doctoral research in appropriate fields, including different types of doctoral study (e.g. Engineering and Professional Doctorates or practice-led research), and seek ways of incorporating best practice into the Brighton Doctoral College
  • To remain fully informed of Research Counciland other funding opportunities in support of postgraduate research training and doctoral work;
  • To engage with senior academics in the disciplines within your remit to disseminate such findings and to adviseand assist in the quality assurance of content and in the completion of all applications for external funding for studentships.
  • To contribute to the Brighton Doctoral College programme of supervisor training workshops on a regular basis. This area is currently under review. It is expected that the DDPS and DPS will take appropriate specialist roles in respect of researcher development within a new framework which encourages local delivery of developmental courses appropriate to the range of disciplines and research methods for which they are responsible
  • To support the recruitment of high-quality research students, in line with BDC, school, college and university objectives and to liaise with senior staff in LHPS over support arrangements for students
  • To support the development, design and delivery, monitoring and review of the research environment for PGR and the researcher development framework across the spectrum of disciplines related to life, health and physical sciences, to include:
  1. Developing postgraduate research student training and expertise in line with national and international best practice;
  2. Ensuring a high quality PGR student experience,meeting student expectations and needs, aligned to the strategic and operational plans of the faculty and university;
  3. Obtaining student feedback and reporting annually on the academic health of the provision in your areaand the results of monitoring.
  4. Promoting academic and intellectual currency and rigorous standards appropriate to the level and nature of the MPhil, Prof Doc and PhD awards.
  5. Supporting the production/revision of the student handbook for your area.
  • To support and augmentsupervisory teams in the provision of support and pastoral care for PGR students and to liaise with Student Services, as required, in the best interests of the students
  • To be responsible, with the DPS, for quality assurance and enhancement processes and related initiatives associated with the delivery of the student experience and to provide reports on these activities for internal and external consumption.

Appointment process

In recognition of the seniority and responsibility expected, expressions of interest andapplications are sought from permanent members of Academic Staff currently at Principal Lecturer/Principal Research Fellow (AC4) or above.

The role will be offered for 3.5years, until 31 August 2019, in the first instance, and will be at30%fte, to include pro-rata contributions to personal research and scholarship time in line with academic appointments. It is envisaged that the DDPS will continue to be responsible to their existing line management for the remaining part of their contractual duties, where applicable.

It is expected that the Deputy Director of Postgraduate Studies will have:

  • A strong track record of personal research, commensurate with the criteria for inclusion in the REF.
  • A current appointment at the University of Brighton as a member of academic staff on AC4 or above, which is due to last beyond the period of secondment.
  • Inclusion on the university register of approved supervisors.
  • Supervision of Doctoral Students to completion.

And ideally, have:

  • Some experience in research leadership and management.
  • Experience in researcher development (for example, an interest in development of research training methods; involvement in the URTF and/or school/faculty researcher development programs).
  • Familiarity with the University’s MRes provision.
  • Experience in mentoring and developing colleagues at the Early Career Researcher stage.
  • Success in attracting Research Studentships.

It is hoped that the Deputy Director of Postgraduate Studies for Life , Health and Physical Scienceswill be appointed and take up the role by the start of the summer term 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Expressions of interest in the role should be submitted by a letter of application addressing the role requirements and accompanied by a full recent CV. Please send this to

The closing date for applications is 9th March 2016.

Interviews are being scheduled for the morning of 15thMarch 2016

Informal enquiriesabout the role should be directed to Dr Susi Sandeman (Director of PG Studies - LHPS)

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