The Brighton Doctoral College
This temporary secondment opportunity is to lead in the establishment of the University of
Brighton’s Doctoral College (BDC) Integrated Doctoral Programme and in particular the activities in postgraduate researcher development. Doctoral College offices are based at
Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Falmer and Eastbourne. Although the role could be based in any of these offices, it is anticipated that a substantial portion of role will be based at Falmer.
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The role is offered as a secondment opportunity for 12 months from 8 September 2014. The role has been planned as occupying 50 % of the roleholder’s working time. The Director of
Postgraduate Research Studies (IDP) will lead on integrating the RDF offerings in the doctoral college to include negotiation of the relationship between BDC offerings and the current range of School-based MRes programmes. The role will include university-wide respo nsibility for activities in developing the BDC’s research environment. The contribution of this to the broader university research environment will be the subject of further detailed planning as the university reorganization progresses through 2014/15.
The BDC has area offices with dedicated administrators on each site, including support for current URDF activities. The URDF admin role-holders oversee the registration, progression, and support the quality assurance processes for doctoral students undertaking elements of the URDF programme. It is expected that the BDC will develop additional thematic URDF workshops to reflect the reorganization of the university into three broad research areas;
Life, Health and Physical Sciences, Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities.
Current URDF programme:
Unit 1 Introduction to doctoral research
Unit 2 Preparing your research plan
Unit 3 Preparing for transfer
Unit 4 Preparing for thesis submission/viva
Unit 5 Developing your research profile
Unit 6 Planning your career
Unit 7 Writing for academic purposes
Unit 8 Communicating in the English language
The role
Reporting to the Dean of the Doctoral College, the Director of Postgraduate Research
Studies (IDP) will lead the establishment of the integrated doctoral program, coordinating the postgraduate researcher (PGR) development framework across the university, including:
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Leadership of the further development and implementation of the new integrated doctoral programme;
Design of a delivery framework allowing for three intakes to the IDP per year.
Liaison/Coordination with those responsible for MRes provision on current Schoolbased programmes to avoid duplication whilst delivering a high-quality programme efficiently.
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Liaison/Coordination with those delivering other researcher development offerings
(including Information Services, Research Office, etc) with similar objectives.
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Review and organisational integration of the developing online resources for researcher development, liaising with suppliers of materials, proposing appropriate
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revisions and additional offerings.
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Proposing required revisions to the RDF quality assurance systems for postgraduate research degrees within the new College Structure.
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Leading operation of the URDF.
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Advising the Dean on the resourcing implications of delivering an integrated IDP/RDF programme.
The Director of Postgraduate Research Studies (IDP) will be expected to work with key senior managers across the university, in collaboration with the peer group of DPSs in all areas. In this pivotal role, communication and negotiating skills are vital in:
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Working closely with the Dean of the Doctoral College, the other Directors of
Postgraduate Research Studies, and the Doctoral College Manager.
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Negotiating plans and coordinating activities between the Doctoral College, College and School leadership;
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Maintaining links between the researcher development environment for PGR students and that for Early Career Researchers to avoid unnecessary duplication;
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Contributing to the definition and implementatio n of the university’s strategy for PGR activities within the broader research agenda;
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Participating in leadership of all aspects of PGR activity as part of the Doctoral
College Management and other BDC committee structures;
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Engaging with external bodies associated with postgraduate education, researcher development and the disciplinary and methodological remits across the university.
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The Roleholder will:
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Deliver strategic leadership of the development of the Integrated Doctoral
Programme and associated research environment.
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Ensure effective coordination and monitoring of the student researcher development experience.
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Be familiar, and act in accordance, with current university and Doctoral College policies and procedures.
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Be prepared to deputise for other DPSs in chairing postgraduate research student admissions, enrolment, induction, annual progress reviews, MPhil/PhD transfer, thesis outline meetings, as well as contributing to the refinement of these procedures as required.
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Work as necessary with Deans, Directors of Research Development, Heads of
School, and Heads of Research where in post, and university administrative staff to ensure effective coordination of all aspects of the PG student researcher development experience.
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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. Professional Doctorates or practice-led research), and seek ways of incorporating best practice into the Brighton Doctoral College.
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Establish an information base on suppliers of courses and materials relevant to researcher development.
Chair the URDF Programme Board.
Represent the Doctoral College at a university level on agreed committees.
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Participate fully in appropriate committees within the BDC, including the Doctoral
College Board and Doctoral College Management Group.
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Contribute to the development, design, delivery, monitoring and review of the research environment for PGR.
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In conjunction with the Dean be responsible for URDF quality assurance and enhancement processes and related initiatives associated with the delivery of the student experience.
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Provide reports on these activities for internal and external consumption.
The salary
The salary will be in accordance with grade 9 (AC4), which ranges from £47,787 to £55,375 per annum.
Appointment process
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In recognition of the seniority and responsibility expected, expressions of interest/ applications are sought from permanent members of Academic Staff currently at Principal
Lecturer/Principal Research Fellow (AC4) or above. An honorarium of two increments, equivalent to that offered to Assistant Heads of School will apply in appropriate cases.
The role will be offered as a secondment opportunity for 12 months from 8 September 2014.
The role has been planned as occupying 50 % of the roleholder’s working time. The roleholder will report to the Dean of the Brighton Doctoral College in this role, but continue to be responsible to their existing line management for the remaining part of their contractual duties, where applicable.
It is expected that the Directors of Postgraduate Studies will be a research-active member of staff with a strong track record of personal research commensurate with the criteria for inclusion in the REF and:
Currently appointed at the University of Brighton as a permanent member of academic staff on AC4 or above.
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Currently included on the university register of approved supervisors.
Have a strong track record of involvement with the university’s research environment through experience in:
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Supervision of doctoral students to completion.
Research leadership and management.
Researcher development (for example, an interest in development of research training methods; involvement in the URTF and/or school/faculty researcher development programs).
And ideally:
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Familiarity with the u
Experience in mentoring and developing colleagues at the Early Career
Researcher stage. niversity’s MRes provision.
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Success in attracting Research Studentships.
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Essential Criteria:
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A research profile commensurate with inclusion in the REF
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Extensive PGR experience including in; supervision, viva and examination,
Independent viva chairing, URDF, PRPs, RPAs and Transfers
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Knowledge of Admissions processes, preferably in PGR
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Skills suitable for negotiation with senior managers e.g. Heads of School, Directors of
Research and Development, Deans, and CDT leaders
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Knowledge of Course development, management and design, learning objectives, aims and outcomes and academic standards, with strong preference for URDF development experience, but at least in other PGT (level 7) and associated knowledge of GEAR.
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Knowledge of the expectations of the QAA (Chapter 11) for PGR students
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Knowledge/understanding of Vitae RDF, Research Skills training and RCUK requirements
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Experience of online learning resources
Desirable criteria:
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Any informal queries about the role should be directed to the Dean of the BDC, Professor
David Arnold.
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