Role Description
Faculty:
Health and Life Sciences
Department of:
Applied Sciences
Job Title:
Professor in Cellular and Molecular Science
Grade:
9
Category:
Academic Management
Job Purpose:
The post holder is responsible for academic leadership of the Bioeconomy multi-disciplinary research team
with a focus on Health-related research, in the Cellular & Molecular Sciences area, with the aim of enhancing
the University’s national and international reputation in this academic field.
They will be expected to demonstrate continuing scholarly attainment and achievement and provide
academic leadership (of their subject and associated colleagues) in the role of Professor, through active
contribution to their discipline and to the life and work of their Faculty and the wider University.
Contribution may go beyond academia and into areas of policy and practice.
Responsible to:
The Head of Department.
Generic Duties and Responsibilities:
In line with the University’s Mission, Corporate Strategy and Leadership Attributes, Professors will
demonstrate achievement in the following areas:
Leadership and Management
 Support the Executive Dean as appropriate, by exercising strategic academic leadership within their
academic field, in line with their specific academic focus.
 Support the Executive Dean and Head of Department to deliver the Faculty’s plans, by contributing to
aligning the planning of research, teaching and enterprise activities with Faculty and University priorities
and strategic goals.
 Provide effective management to teams and people including agreeing work plans and objectives. This
involves developing teams and individuals through supporting the Executive Dean and Head of
Department to appraise and develop staff, advising staff on personal and career development.
 Provide effective leadership and management of programmes or projects, including management of
finance and physical resources and production of timely and appropriate outputs. This involves
identifying, securing and managing resources and the process of project planning for sustainability.
Innovation
 Demonstrate original and significant contribution to knowledge (research and enterprise) and the
enhancement of student learning (teaching) as evidenced through publications, presentations, or
other works.
 Introduce demonstrable change to existing products, knowledge, or practice within the subject
discipline. Maintain reputation and recognition from the national and international academic
community for high quality work.
 To actively promote the research and enterprise culture of the Faculty
Esteem
 Demonstrate esteem through, for example, invitations to give key note presentations, membership of
learned societies, prestigious awards, or other forms of discipline recognition at national and
international levels
 Lead a number of academic engagement activities such as public engagement with the press and
broadcast media, public policy engagement and liaison through events and exhibitions.
 Represent the Faculty internally and University externally on committees, working groups, forums and at
other events. This may include chairing committees and ensuring the effective operation of relevant subcommittees and working groups.
Contribution
 Sustain a proven track record of income generation in support of scholarly activity and research.
 Make an active contribution to the development of the academic discipline.
 Make a major contribution to improving the capacity for new work to be undertaken either through
personal professional development, collaboration or workforce development.
 Work with the Executive Dean, Associate Deans, Heads of Department, other Professors and colleagues
to develop a collaborative, collegiate and inclusive culture to engage all staff fully with the University’s
Vision and Corporate Strategy.
 Act corporately and collegially, promoting the ‘One University’ principle and positively promoting the
University internally and externally to build networks, foster collaboration and share information and
ideas and to promote the subject and the University.
Other
 Ensure fair and consistent application of University policies and procedures.
 Undertake other University and Faculty responsibilities as the Executive Dean or University Executive
may require
Specific Duties:
The specific role and responsibilities will be agreed with the relevant manager in accordance with the
academic focus of the role and the nature of the academic discipline. Typical expectations of each role
according to the focus of the role may be expressed as follows:
Research
 Lead the development of Health-related research in Cellular & Molecular Sciences within the
Bioeconomy theme. This will also involve working with the Head of Department and Professoriate to
lead research in the Department.
 Conduct research at a level commensurate with the role of Professor in a research-rich university
 Lead and collaborate with bids for research, consultancy and other additional funds, acting as Principal
Investigator when required.
 Deliver presentations at national and international conferences and similar events, to raise the profile of
the research and the University.
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Produce regular outputs (publications or similar, as appropriate to the discipline) of a quality and
frequency consistent with the status of Professor in the field.
Contribute to the development of intellectual property.
Act as Principal Supervisor for PhD students.
Line manage research staff who are part of research project teams
Continue to demonstrate an outstanding original contribution to a subject area, evidenced, for example
by a sustained record of outputs of international quality.
Demonstrate active and leading involvement with key research and policy bodies at national or
international level.
Mentor Early Career Researchers and others
Learning and Teaching
 Undertake research-informed teaching, including supervision of undergraduate and post-graduate
taught research projects
 Assist in the development of specialised post-graduate taught provision
Enterprise
 Lead major innovations in linking research (and scholarly activities) and knowledge transfer in the Health
area of the Bioeconomy through e.g. consultancies, CPD, enterprise activities which have substantial
impact regionally, nationally or internationally
 Demonstrate sustained success in developing significant and innovative networks and partnerships with
internal and external stakeholders;
 Development and leadership of substantial and sustained industrial/commercial collaboration(s) and
activities;
 Evaluation of external enterprise projects or programmes;
 Making a leading and international contribution to developing the link between the discipline and its
stakeholders.
 Make a major contribution to the leadership and future development of enterprise and knowledge
transfer in the University.
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This Role Description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and will be subject to periodic review.
Location:
The post holder will be based at the University’s City Campus, but travel to other premises which the
University may from time to time occupy will be required. As will national and international travel to
academic partners and corporate clients in relation to programmes, awards, consultancy and/or other
activities and externally funded programmes appropriate to the nature of the post may be required.
Attendance Requirements:
The nature of the post is such that the post holder is expected to work and attend at the University’s
premises such hours as are reasonably necessary for the effective discharge of the duties of the post, within
a normal working week of 37 hours. Within this time a typical workload may include weekday evening
delivery and exceptionally, weekend short course work and / or national and international travel appropriate
to the nature of the role.
Additional Information
References
Contact with your present or most recent employer will be made if you are offered the position. Please
complete the relevant section in the application form.
Person Specification
Faculty/Service:
Department:
Job Title:
Grade:
1.
2.
3.
Health and Life Sciences
Applied Sciences
Professor in Cellular and Molecular Science
9
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D
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Excellent written and oral communication skills
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Proven track record in securing external funding for research and innovation activity
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Proven leadership in the development and delivery of excellent undergraduate and
postgraduate teaching and supervision
Proven track record of developing and sustaining a culture of innovation and creativity,
valuing and empowering people in a professional environment
Qualifications
Honours Degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent educational attainment.
A Post-Graduate Research Degree at doctoral level.
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Specific Knowledge
Excellent knowledge of the complexities of the changing context of sciences in the field
of Cellular and Molecular Science, Bio-economy
Excellent knowledge of a range of research methods and an ability to develop methods
and methodological approaches.
Expertise in working co-operatively with external agencies and other research
communities.
Excellent knowledge of funding processes and opportunities for research and or
innovation activity
Excellent strategic knowledge of the national research agenda
Skills and Abilities
Proven and extensive track record in producing internationally/nationally excellent
quality publications/outputs
A high level of leadership and organisational skills as demonstrated through the ability to
inspire others, prioritise workloads and work autonomously as well as part of a team.
Proven success in leading and managing research projects
Legend:
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= Essential
= Desirable
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= Application Form
= Interview
= Test