Director, CoSTAR National Lab (Professor of Digital Culture)
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 23 Ionawr 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | Heb ei nodi |
| Gwybodaeth ychwanegol am y cyflog: | Salary is in accordance with the University's Professorial pay scale. |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 22 Chwefror 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | Egham, Surrey |
| Gweithio o bell: | Hybrid - gweithio o bell hyd at 3 ddiwrnod yr wythnos |
| Cwmni: | Royal Holloway University of London |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 0126-030 |
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The Role:
This is a flagship leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, development and delivery of the CoSTAR National Lab (CSNL), the UK’s largest ever investment in creative industries R&D. The Director will provide visionary academic and executive leadership to establish CSNL, based at Pinewood Studios, as a world-leading national research and innovation infrastructure.
The successful applicant will be appointed as a Professor at Royal Holloway, University of London and will act as Director of the CoSTAR National Lab, serving as Project Lead for the Lab's grant funding from UKRI–AHRC. They will also act as Chair of the CoSTAR Network Strategic Management Board, ensuring coherence, collaboration and shared strategic direction across the national CoSTAR Network.
The Director will define and deliver a compelling long-term vision for CSNL and the wider CoSTAR Network, positioning applied research as a driver of innovation, productivity and growth across the UK’s screen, performance and creative technology sectors. A core responsibility will be the development of a sustainable operating and business model that secures the National Lab’s future beyond the initial funding period through public and private investment.
Working closely with the CSNL Directors of Technology and Operations, partner universities and industry collaborators, the Director will ensure that cutting-edge research and facilities translate into tangible outcomes for industry, including new technologies, services, companies and skills pipelines. They will foster a culture of excellence, inclusive innovation, collaboration and impact across CSNL and its partner institutions.
As a Professorial post, the successful candidate must be a recognised leader in the creative industries and/or creative technologies, with significant standing, influence and a demonstrable record of impact across industry, research, policy or innovation ecosystems. A traditional academic career path is not required; equivalent senior leadership experience in industry, government or the cultural sector is equally valued.
About the CoSTAR National Lab:
CoSTAR is the UK’s national research and innovation infrastructure for creative technology, funded by an initial £76m investment from UK Research and Innovation through the Arts and Humanities Research Council. CoSTAR delivers a network of five interconnected Labs across the UK, combining world-class facilities, applied research, skills development and enterprise support for the creative industries.
The CoSTAR National Lab, led by Royal Holloway, University of London, represents a £51.1m commitment and is the largest single investment in AHRC’s history. Opening at Pinewood Studios in 2026, CSNL will include state-of-the-art studio and stage facilities, advanced creative computing, AI, cloud and virtual production infrastructure.
The National Lab works in partnership with the University of Surrey, Abertay University and the National Film & Television School, alongside industry partners including BT, Disguise and Pinewood Studios. CSNL also delivers pan-network access programmes for industry, including Piloting & Prototyping and Enterprise & Commercialisation, supporting businesses to de-risk innovation and scale new ideas.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, alongside Environmental Sustainability, are embedded at the heart of CSNL’s mission, culture and programmes.
What You Will Be Doing:
Providing overall strategic leadership and vision for the CoSTAR National Lab.
Acting as grant holder for the AHRC CoSTAR National Lab award and ensuring delivery against objectives, milestones and impact.
Developing and implementing a sustainable long-term operating and funding model for CSNL beyond 2029.
Chairing the CoSTAR Network Strategic Management Board and leading collaboration across the CoSTAR Network as the infrastructure evolves, and reporting to the CoSTAR Programme Board.
Serving as the public face of CSNL, representing the Lab to industry, funders, policymakers and international stakeholders.
Leading and developing the CSNL senior management team and fostering a high-performing, inclusive organisational culture.
Driving industry engagement, partnerships and programmes that translate applied research into commercial and societal impact.
Working with partner universities to maximise research excellence, knowledge exchange, training and commercialisation outcomes.
Championing responsible innovation, including governance of IP, licensing and the ethical use of AI in creative workflows.
You Should Apply If You:
Can demonstrate senior leadership experience in creative industries R&D, innovation, policy or equivalent contexts.
Are a recognised thought leader with significant standing and influence across the creative industries or creative technologies.
Have a strong track record of building partnerships and securing public and/or private investment at scale.
Are passionate about translating applied research into real-world impact for industry and society.
Have the ability to lead complex, multi-partner organisations and inspire multidisciplinary teams.
Are committed to inclusive innovation, sustainability and talent development.
This post is based at Royal Holloway, University of London, with significant working time at the CoSTAR National Lab at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, and travel across the UK as required.
Please quote the reference: 0126-030
Closing Date: 23:59, 6 March 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
This is a flagship leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, development and delivery of the CoSTAR National Lab (CSNL), the UK’s largest ever investment in creative industries R&D. The Director will provide visionary academic and executive leadership to establish CSNL, based at Pinewood Studios, as a world-leading national research and innovation infrastructure.
The successful applicant will be appointed as a Professor at Royal Holloway, University of London and will act as Director of the CoSTAR National Lab, serving as Project Lead for the Lab's grant funding from UKRI–AHRC. They will also act as Chair of the CoSTAR Network Strategic Management Board, ensuring coherence, collaboration and shared strategic direction across the national CoSTAR Network.
The Director will define and deliver a compelling long-term vision for CSNL and the wider CoSTAR Network, positioning applied research as a driver of innovation, productivity and growth across the UK’s screen, performance and creative technology sectors. A core responsibility will be the development of a sustainable operating and business model that secures the National Lab’s future beyond the initial funding period through public and private investment.
Working closely with the CSNL Directors of Technology and Operations, partner universities and industry collaborators, the Director will ensure that cutting-edge research and facilities translate into tangible outcomes for industry, including new technologies, services, companies and skills pipelines. They will foster a culture of excellence, inclusive innovation, collaboration and impact across CSNL and its partner institutions.
As a Professorial post, the successful candidate must be a recognised leader in the creative industries and/or creative technologies, with significant standing, influence and a demonstrable record of impact across industry, research, policy or innovation ecosystems. A traditional academic career path is not required; equivalent senior leadership experience in industry, government or the cultural sector is equally valued.
About the CoSTAR National Lab:
CoSTAR is the UK’s national research and innovation infrastructure for creative technology, funded by an initial £76m investment from UK Research and Innovation through the Arts and Humanities Research Council. CoSTAR delivers a network of five interconnected Labs across the UK, combining world-class facilities, applied research, skills development and enterprise support for the creative industries.
The CoSTAR National Lab, led by Royal Holloway, University of London, represents a £51.1m commitment and is the largest single investment in AHRC’s history. Opening at Pinewood Studios in 2026, CSNL will include state-of-the-art studio and stage facilities, advanced creative computing, AI, cloud and virtual production infrastructure.
The National Lab works in partnership with the University of Surrey, Abertay University and the National Film & Television School, alongside industry partners including BT, Disguise and Pinewood Studios. CSNL also delivers pan-network access programmes for industry, including Piloting & Prototyping and Enterprise & Commercialisation, supporting businesses to de-risk innovation and scale new ideas.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, alongside Environmental Sustainability, are embedded at the heart of CSNL’s mission, culture and programmes.
What You Will Be Doing:
Providing overall strategic leadership and vision for the CoSTAR National Lab.
Acting as grant holder for the AHRC CoSTAR National Lab award and ensuring delivery against objectives, milestones and impact.
Developing and implementing a sustainable long-term operating and funding model for CSNL beyond 2029.
Chairing the CoSTAR Network Strategic Management Board and leading collaboration across the CoSTAR Network as the infrastructure evolves, and reporting to the CoSTAR Programme Board.
Serving as the public face of CSNL, representing the Lab to industry, funders, policymakers and international stakeholders.
Leading and developing the CSNL senior management team and fostering a high-performing, inclusive organisational culture.
Driving industry engagement, partnerships and programmes that translate applied research into commercial and societal impact.
Working with partner universities to maximise research excellence, knowledge exchange, training and commercialisation outcomes.
Championing responsible innovation, including governance of IP, licensing and the ethical use of AI in creative workflows.
You Should Apply If You:
Can demonstrate senior leadership experience in creative industries R&D, innovation, policy or equivalent contexts.
Are a recognised thought leader with significant standing and influence across the creative industries or creative technologies.
Have a strong track record of building partnerships and securing public and/or private investment at scale.
Are passionate about translating applied research into real-world impact for industry and society.
Have the ability to lead complex, multi-partner organisations and inspire multidisciplinary teams.
Are committed to inclusive innovation, sustainability and talent development.
This post is based at Royal Holloway, University of London, with significant working time at the CoSTAR National Lab at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, and travel across the UK as required.
Please quote the reference: 0126-030
Closing Date: 23:59, 6 March 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
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