Job Description

Professor – (Insert Specialism) in the Department of (Insert Name)

The role of Professor is one of the highest academic distinctions conferred by the University and postholders are expected to have an international reputation and have made a sustained, significant and original contribution to knowledge in their particular field, and to contribute and operate at the highest levels of seniority.

The role will be based predominantly on one of the following: Research, Teaching or Knowledge Exchange & Enterprise, and will also contribute to a broad range of activities including; providing excellence and innovation in teaching, leading knowledge exchange activities, demonstrating leadership, mentoring and support for other colleagues and exceling in academic citizenship to support the strategic objectives of the University.

All Professors are expected to contribute to teaching, supervision of students, and to administrative duties in their Department. They are also called upon for cross Faculty and University duties, as well as Internal and External representation duties (including serving on relevant Internal and External committees).

(Insert information about the particular specialism, or strategic objectives which drive the purpose of the role here)

Research (for those Professors appointed to the Research Route)

Professors will achieve and sustain an ‘internationally leading’ research profile consistent with the research priorities of the relevant subject area that increases the global visibility and reputation of the University. They will:

  • Be recognised as an esteemed and influential authority in the relevant field by speaking (including plenaries) at international conferences, providing distinguished contributions to the academic discipline through society and committee work, awards/ prizes, and acting as a peer reviewer or thesis examiner and consulting contracts.
  • Produce significant outputs of international quality as appropriate to the discipline which may include publications in relevant and esteemed journals; highly regarded monographs, books, exhibitions or performances.
  • Generate collaborative and contract research of significant value (relevant to the discipline) either as a principal investigator or co-investigator.
  • Take responsibility for attracting postgraduate research students and successfully supervising them to completion within the appropriate study period.
  • Secure external research funding and develop and maintain a portfolio of research grants and contracts of significant value.
  • Initiate, lead and collaborate in research initiatives with colleagues both within the University and externally, including internationally.

Knowledge Exchange/Enterprise (for those Professors appointed to the KE/Enterprise Route)

Professors will secure, lead and manage a successful portfolio of knowledge exchange activities or projects with demonstrable social and/or economic impact. This may include consultancy, incubation, design and delivery of research led CPD programmes, licensing IP, the creation of spinout companies and collaborations with public, private and third sector organisations. They will:

  • Lead and manage enterprise-related projects including team leadership, mentoring and develop the skills of staff and resource management.
  • Provide a substantial contribution to the development of academic enterprise across a broad range of enterprise or cultural activities.
  • Provide an original contribution to knowledge, practice (including craft) and performance at a high level; such as introducing new partnerships to the University and leading new developments in knowledge exchange.
  • Initiate innovative knowledge-led partnerships with external organisations and facilitate collaboration between staff in external or partner organisations.
  • Build on a significant track record of successful collaboration and leadership of externally funded knowledge exchange projects.
  • Secure income through competition from a range of sources, i.e. consultancy contracts, knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) and externally funded research.
  • Lead involvement in regional, national and international enterprise bodies including student enterprise.
  • Lead contribution to the advancement of external knowledge transfer or professional practice at national or international level.
  • Lead involvement of knowledge exchange (KE) through public engagement and/or policy development and implementation, curation of exhibitions, production of shows and events.

Learning and Teaching (for those Professors appointed to the Learning and Teaching Route)

Professors will demonstrate leadership in teaching which promotes and significantly enhances the student experience. They have gained external recognition and willimpact practice beyond the institution. This may include: developing and delivering changes that enhance the curriculum, learning materials, assessments, and or student experience, delivering improved outcomes and improving the teaching and learning of colleagues by influencing or inspiring them. They will:

  • Publish highly regarded HE books.
  • Produce outputs in education and pedagogy appropriate to the discipline which may include conference papers, publications in relevant journals; monographs, books, exhibitions or performances.
  • Build a peer assessed, national reputation for excellence in learning and teaching at the University including recognised leadership activity within professional organisations or bodies.
  • Contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in how to deliver excellent higher education teaching.
  • Teach, oversee and inspire excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing academic and pastoral advice and conduct associated assessments.
  • Provide academic and pastoral support to undergraduate and postgraduate students and supervise postgraduate students at Masters and Doctoral levels where appropriate.
  • Lead on the development of research-based education in the discipline.

Elements of other routes

All Professors are expected to contribute to elements of the other routes they have not been appointed under. For instance, Professors appointed under the Research route will be expected to teach, and contribute to KE and Enterprise, as directed by the Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor or their delegate.

Academic Citizenship and Leadership

All Professors are expected to be a good academic citizens, whichever route they undertake. This can be demonstrated though:

  • Major contribution to academic leadership within the University with a proven ability to lead, develop and motivate colleagues.
  • Contribution to the leadership within faculties and departments and through supporting the Faculty PVCs and Heads with strategic planning.
  • A significant track record of leading and mentoring colleagues.
  • Evidence of contributions to external bodies including Research Councils, government committees and learned societies.
  • Engaging in relevant administration (for instance committee membership and attendance, management of courses, etc.)
  • Representing the University externally and engaging in public and community engagement.
  • Engaging in training programmes in the University (e.g. through Staff Development) which are consistent with your needs and aspirations and those of the department.
  • Engaging fully with the annual Performance and Development Review (PDR) process.
  • Undertaking such other duties as may be reasonably requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

What we are looking for

  • A good first degree together with a PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualifications.
  • A PGCE, PGCert Academic Practice or PGCert Learning and Teaching.
  • Senior Fellowship of the HEA or a commitment to obtain within 3 years.
  • Membership of relevant Professional bodies.
  • An in depth understanding of the subject (insert detail here) including recent developments in (insert detail here).
  • Contribution to the development of the relevant discipline (through conferences, national and international networks and papers).
  • Commitment to the University’s strategic objectives, with a focus on supporting the student experience
  • Commitment to the University’s policies and procedures including promoting equality in own area of responsibility and in general conduct.

What you will bring to the role

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate a clear vision for a wide range of audiences.
  • Strong leadership and organisational skills required to lead and manage a research team, train and mentor staff staff, postgraduate researchers and students.
  • Ability to negotiate effectively with external and internal stakeholders, funding bodies, Professional, Statutory and Regulatory bodies.

Research

  • Substantial international reputation in scholarship and research in high quality journals, influential monographs, highly regarded books or highly regarded exhibitions or performances.
  • Strong record in obtaining research funding and planning for future funding opportunities.
  • Experience of managing research projects and liaising with research sponsors/partners at a senior level.

Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise

  • Record of successful engagement in academic enterprise.
  • Excellent partnership management skills with the ability to build relationships and have active involvement in national and international networks and committees.

Learning and Teaching

  • Substantial experience of innovative teaching and learning practices.
  • Experience of supervising PhD Students to successful completion.

Academic Citizenship and Leadership

  • Evidence of a major contribution to academic leadership with a proven ability to lead, develop, mentor and motivate others.
  • Active membership ofrelevant committees and evidence of contribution to external bodies such as; Research Councils, government committees and learned societies.

Professor / Senior / Prof / Analyst / Evaluation Number / Date