Professor and Head of Doctoral College
| Posting date: | 23 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £59,688 to £74,610 per year |
| Additional salary information: | (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £85,802 per annum) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 March 2026 |
| Location: | Derby, Derbyshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | University of Derby |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 0010-26 |
Summary
Innovation and research is at the heart of everything we do at Derby; it informs our learning and teaching, supports businesses, drives partnerships and provides real-world impact.
The University Innovation & Research Department (I&R) is responsible for our research and knowledge exchange activities including funding opportunities, knowledge transfer partnerships, researcher development, ethics, impact, the Doctoral College, postgraduate research students, and external returns including the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
About the Role
In this senior academic leadership role, you will serve as Head of the Doctoral College alongside your professorial position, shaping and driving the University’s vision for postgraduate research. You will provide strategic and academic leadership for all Postgraduate Research (PGR) programmes, overseeing the full student journey from recruitment through to graduation. Central to the role is advancing the quality, reputation and growth of our research degree provision, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in which doctoral researchers can thrive, and championing excellence in research training, supervision and scholarly practice.
You will lead the development and delivery of the University’s PGR strategy, ensuring our programmes meet national and international standards while continually enhancing the PGR student experience. Working closely with senior academic leaders, you will help embed PGRs within the wider research culture of the institution and develop opportunities for innovative programmes, doctoral training centres, and partnerships with external organisations.
The role carries responsibility for quality assurance and enhancement across all research degrees, including oversight of surveys, regulatory processes, casework, appeals and complaints. You will guide recruitment strategies, promote strong supervisory practice, and ensure effective pastoral and academic support for all PGR students. In addition, you will lead the design and delivery of supervision training, mentoring and professional development initiatives, and support career planning for our doctoral community.
You will also manage the resources and budget of the Doctoral College, secure funding to strengthen doctoral research, and provide leadership to staff within the College. Maintaining strong relationships with the Students’ Union, academic departments, student-facing services and external networks will be essential. Through effective governance, collaboration and strategic foresight, you will ensure the University continues to offer outstanding postgraduate research opportunities aligned with institutional priorities and sector best practice.
About You
You will hold a doctoral degree and bring a strong record of research and scholarly achievement, along with significant experience in academic leadership—ideally within postgraduate education. You will have a proven ability to develop and manage academic programmes, support and mentor doctoral students, contribute to University governance, and drive innovation and excellence aligned with institutional strategy. A track record of delivering research excellence, evidenced through high‑quality outputs and income generation, is essential.
You will demonstrate outstanding leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, working effectively with diverse stakeholders and managing complex projects with confidence. Strong analytical ability, resilience, sound judgement and the capacity to innovate are key, alongside a thorough understanding of postgraduate research provision and the wider sector context. You will also bring awareness of the financial and strategic factors shaping the Doctoral College’s ambitions.
A commitment to postgraduate education and an excellent student experience is vital, along with a willingness to support University events such as Graduation, Open Days and Clearing, including occasional evening or weekend commitments.
Benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
Teacher’s Pension Scheme
Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
Discounted onsite gym
Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
Holiday purchase
Cycle to Work scheme
A flexible working environment
A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor Myra Conway, Interim Provost (Innovation and Research) via m.conway2@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
The University Innovation & Research Department (I&R) is responsible for our research and knowledge exchange activities including funding opportunities, knowledge transfer partnerships, researcher development, ethics, impact, the Doctoral College, postgraduate research students, and external returns including the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
About the Role
In this senior academic leadership role, you will serve as Head of the Doctoral College alongside your professorial position, shaping and driving the University’s vision for postgraduate research. You will provide strategic and academic leadership for all Postgraduate Research (PGR) programmes, overseeing the full student journey from recruitment through to graduation. Central to the role is advancing the quality, reputation and growth of our research degree provision, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in which doctoral researchers can thrive, and championing excellence in research training, supervision and scholarly practice.
You will lead the development and delivery of the University’s PGR strategy, ensuring our programmes meet national and international standards while continually enhancing the PGR student experience. Working closely with senior academic leaders, you will help embed PGRs within the wider research culture of the institution and develop opportunities for innovative programmes, doctoral training centres, and partnerships with external organisations.
The role carries responsibility for quality assurance and enhancement across all research degrees, including oversight of surveys, regulatory processes, casework, appeals and complaints. You will guide recruitment strategies, promote strong supervisory practice, and ensure effective pastoral and academic support for all PGR students. In addition, you will lead the design and delivery of supervision training, mentoring and professional development initiatives, and support career planning for our doctoral community.
You will also manage the resources and budget of the Doctoral College, secure funding to strengthen doctoral research, and provide leadership to staff within the College. Maintaining strong relationships with the Students’ Union, academic departments, student-facing services and external networks will be essential. Through effective governance, collaboration and strategic foresight, you will ensure the University continues to offer outstanding postgraduate research opportunities aligned with institutional priorities and sector best practice.
About You
You will hold a doctoral degree and bring a strong record of research and scholarly achievement, along with significant experience in academic leadership—ideally within postgraduate education. You will have a proven ability to develop and manage academic programmes, support and mentor doctoral students, contribute to University governance, and drive innovation and excellence aligned with institutional strategy. A track record of delivering research excellence, evidenced through high‑quality outputs and income generation, is essential.
You will demonstrate outstanding leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, working effectively with diverse stakeholders and managing complex projects with confidence. Strong analytical ability, resilience, sound judgement and the capacity to innovate are key, alongside a thorough understanding of postgraduate research provision and the wider sector context. You will also bring awareness of the financial and strategic factors shaping the Doctoral College’s ambitions.
A commitment to postgraduate education and an excellent student experience is vital, along with a willingness to support University events such as Graduation, Open Days and Clearing, including occasional evening or weekend commitments.
Benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
Teacher’s Pension Scheme
Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
Discounted onsite gym
Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
Holiday purchase
Cycle to Work scheme
A flexible working environment
A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor Myra Conway, Interim Provost (Innovation and Research) via m.conway2@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk