Appointment of a Deputy Director of Postgraduate
Research Studies (International Development and
Recruitment)
The Brighton Doctoral College
This temporary secondment opportunity is to develop the University of Brighton’s
Doctoral College (BDC) International Development and Recruitment Strategy and in
particular the activities in international collaborations, progression agreements and
postgraduate student recruitment. 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 in
Moulsecoomb.
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.
Whilst the primary focus of this role is on international strategy the reputational
enhancement from the award of AHRC and EPSRC doctoral training centres offers
opportunities in both international and domestic recruitment strategies. The Deputy
Director of Postgraduate Research Studies (International Development and
Recruitment) will, under the leadership of the Director of PG Studies (Science and
Engineering), develop the overall recruitment strategy in line with the
recommendations of the recent BDC strategic planning review. In addition the post
holder will lead on the further development of the BDC’s international presence,
building on existing geographic priorities and exemplars of international agreements
for the recruitment of international students. The role will include university-wide
responsibility for activities in developing these activities in collaboration with those
responsible for College and School research strategies, including the international
and partnerships offices and Marketing and Communications. The integration of this
initiative with the broader university international strategy will be the subject of further
detailed planning as the university reorganization progresses through 2014/15.
The position reports to the Director of PG Studies (Science and Engineering), given
that the majority of current international recruitment and partnership activities reside
in this area of the university. The remit of the role is however across the breadth of
the university, and the position offers an opportunity to strategically develop and coordinate postgraduate research student recruitment, which includes:







In consultation with the Doctoral College Management group, drafting of a 5-year
PGR strategic positioning, marketing and recruitment plan;
Building on current work in identifying and developing opportunities to enter into
partnerships with overseas governments, funders and higher education institutes;
Representing the university and undertaking up to six overseas recruitment trips
during the period,
Undertaking strategic visits to the UK-based representatives of international
funders;
Developing opportunities to provide external financial support for PGR
studentships;
Collaborating in the development of the online profile of Brighton’s postgraduate
research environment and liaising closely with the marketing and communications
department, to ensure that high-quality applications in areas of strategic
importance are garnered;
Developing a suite of marketing materials, both online and in physical format, to
represent the Brighton Doctoral Offer;
1

Participating in the operations and governance of the BDC as a senior member of
the College.
You will also be expected to deputise on occasion for other DPSs as required, in
particular in chairing occasional student progression reviews and taking responsibility
for other agreed areas of activity.
The Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research Studies (IDR) will be expected to
work with key senior managers across the university, and in collaboration with the
peer group of DPSs in all areas. In this pivotal role, communication and negotiating
skills are vital in:

Working closely with the Dean of the Doctoral College, the Directors of
Postgraduate Studies, and the Doctoral College Manager.

Negotiating strategic plans and coordinating activities between the Doctoral
College, central department, College and School leadership;

Maintaining links between the international strategy and recruitment for PGR
students and that for undergraduate and taught post-graduate to avoid
unnecessary duplication;

Contributing to the definition and implementation of the university’s
international strategy from the perspective of PGR activities and within the
broader research agenda;

Participating in leadership of all aspects of PGR activity as part of the
Doctoral College Management and other BDC committee structures;

Engaging with external bodies associated with postgraduate education,
international collaboration and student funding.
The Roleholder will:


Further develop the BDC’s International Strategy to get agreement on BDC
strategy and define:
o
Priority Markets building on the earlier BDC work in this area.
o
A roll-out programme to achieve international visibility for the
Integrated Doctoral Programme and associated research
environment.
o
A program to maximise the impact arising from the university’s
success in being awarded a share in the AHRC TECHNE and DesignStar CDP’s and the EPSRC SEAHA CDT.
o
The strategy and process for identifying and implementing
collaborative agreements with international funding organisations.
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:
o
The development and delivery of a PGR student recruitment strategy
across the university, ensuring particularly that international priorities
and markets are fully considered from the PGR perspective.
o
Effective coordination of all aspects of International PGR recruitment
across the university.
2
o
Embedding of PGR strategy into targets, marketing and recruitment
activities within the broader work of the university.

Remain fully informed of national and international debates relating to
postgraduate studies and doctoral research in appropriate fields, including
policies on recruiting international students (including current interpretation of
UKBA requirements); the implications of different types of doctoral study for
international applicants and their future careers (e.g. recognition of
Professional Doctorates or practice-led research), and seek ways of
incorporating best practice into the Brighton Doctoral College.

To remain fully informed of funding opportunities in support of postgraduate
recruitment, research training and doctoral work; to engage with senior
academics to disseminate such findings.

Establish, with the support of research administrators, an information base on
funders of international studentships.

To support the production/revision of marketing materials, both virtual and
physical representing the full breadth of the university.

To be responsible for quality assurance and enhancement processes around
admissions and particularly international admissions and related initiatives
associated with the delivery of the student experience.

Be familiar, and act in accordance, with current university and Doctoral
College policies and procedures.

Be prepared to deputise on occasion for 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.

Represent the Doctoral College at a university level on agreed committees.

Participate fully in appropriate committees within the BDC, including preparing
and presenting reports for the Doctoral College Board and Doctoral College
Management Group.

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
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.
The role will be offered as a secondment opportunity for a period of 12 months from 8
September 2014 (or date of appointment). It is anticipated that the role will
encompass 50% of the roleholder’s working time. It is envisaged that the DDPS
(IDR) roleholder 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 (IDR) will have a
strong track record of personal research commensurate with the criteria for inclusion
3
in the REF and:

Currently appointed at the University of Brighton as a permanent member of
academic staff on AC4 or above.
Currently included on the university register of approved supervisors.
Have a strong track record of involvement with research students through
experience in:

Recruitment and supervision of doctoral students to completion.

Research leadership and management.

International recruitment (ideally at PGR level, but perhaps at PGT
level).
And ideally:

Research Interests with international relevance.

Familiarity in one or more international markets.

Experience of the UKBA processes and requirements.

Success in attracting Research Studentships.

Some experience in research leadership and management.



Essential criteria:






A research profile commensurate with inclusion in the REF.
Extensive PGR experience including in; supervision, viva and examination,
Independent viva chairing, URDF, PRPs, RPAs and Transfers .
An international profile and strategic planning regarding recruitment including;
evidence of cultural sensitivity and experience of working/collaborating in at
least some key markets.
Skills suitable for negotiation with management e.g. Heads of School,
Directors of Research and Development, Deans, CDT leaders, and Marketing
& Communications.
Knowledge/Experience of developing Partnerships with overseas institutions,
Memorandums of Understanding/Memorandum of Agreements.
Knowledge of the expectations of the QAA (Chapter 11) for PGR students.
Desirable criteria:





Research Interests and track record with international relevance.
Knowledge/understanding of Vitae RDF, Research Skills training and RCUK
requirements.
Experience of the UKBA processes and requirements.
Success in attracting Research Studentships.
Some experience in research leadership and management beyond PGR
including internationally.
Informal queries about the role should be directed to Professor Neil Ravenscroft
(DPS Science & Engineering) in the first instance, or Professor David Arnold, Dean
of the Doctoral College.
4