Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation)

The University of Sussex is looking to appoint a Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) to lead the development and growth of research and innovation at this distinctive and innovative institution.

From Sussex’s beginnings almost 65 years ago, a distinctive ethos has informed our work. Globally oriented from the outset, the University set out to disrupt traditional ways of creating and organising knowledge and, in doing so, developed an identity and purpose that have fostered a strong sense of community. Sussex pioneered interdisciplinarity in our research and teaching, developing a diverse and broad-based curriculum and research base, and opening up new fields of research in, for example, artificial intelligence and informatics, consciousness studies and neuroscience, development studies, media and cultural studies, post-colonial studies, science and technology policy, and sexuality studies. Sussex has an international reputation for our research and teaching, ranking 1^st in the world for Development Studies (with the Institute for Development Studies) for the eighth consecutive year in the QS World University Rankings, and with a further 11 subjects in the global top 200. More than 89 per cent of our research was recognised as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF2021, and The Times Higher Education (THE) ranked Sussex 27^th in the UK for research power and for market share, up from 34^th in 2014. The University is committed to delivering world-leading and ground-breaking research and impact across all our disciplines and interdisciplinary fields.

The new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) will join the University at an exciting time, following the introduction of a new academic structure and the launch of a bold new strategy, Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures – flourishing, sustainability, and progress for the whole world. Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Sasha Roseneil, the PVC (R&I) will have strategic leadership of research and innovation across the University, including the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (working with the University of Brighton). They will exploit future opportunities to grow and develop research and innovation, including spin-outs and IP, as well as celebrating and championing the University’s successes. The role includes: providing and ensuring university-wide inspirational leadership for world-class research and innovation activities by researchers at all career stages; galvanising and motivating the University’s community of researchers in preparation for REF and KEF exercises; driving growth in income and the development of impact from research; and expanding innovation and knowledge exchange activities. The PVC (R&I) is a key member of the University Executive. They will line-manage a Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of the Sussex Researcher School, and the Chief Executive Officer of Sussex Innovation, the board of which they also chair. They will work very closely with the Director of Research and Innovation Services and the Director of Innovation and Business Partnerships, and with the Executive Deans and Associate Deans (Research & Innovation) of the University’s four faculties.

The University is looking to appoint a proactive academic leader who is committed to supporting research and innovation activities across the full range of disciplines and interdisciplinary areas at Sussex, as well as driving sustained improvements in research quality and income. The new PVC (R&I) will be a senior academic with a world-class research track-record and extensive experience of research leadership, including oversight of high-quality REF submissions and experience of leadership of innovation and impact-related activities. They will bring an understanding of how to support and advance research excellence, inclusive and diverse research cultures, research ethics and integrity, and academic freedom, and they will have an excellent grasp of the landscape of challenges and opportunities in relation to research and innovation that face the university sector. They will have experience of leading and managing change in a large and complex organisation, and of supporting colleagues to achieve their best. The ideal candidate will be focused and encouraging; they will be able to quickly identify areas for improvement and opportunities for new activity and growth in line with the strategic themes of Sussex 2035, and they will be enthusiastic about Sussex’s distinctive mission and future development as a leading research-intensive university.

The closing date for all applications, which should be in the form of a CV and cover letter, and addressed to pvcrisussex@minervasearch.com, is by Monday 17^th February 2025.

The University of Sussex is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and through this appointment process it is the University Council’s clear stated aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. The University particularly welcomes applications from women, people from black and minority ethnic communities, the LGBTQ+ community and from disabled people.