University of Edinburgh
Head of School and Director of the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research
From Nobel laureates and Olympic champions to space explorers and prime ministers, the University of Edinburgh has been influencing history since it opened the gates to its first students in 1583.
The School and Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research
The creation of this world-leading Institute brings together non-clinical and clinical researchers to address the leading causes of disability, ill-health and mortality, through a combination of both discovery and clinical research that utilise emerging technologies such as advanced physiology, genetics, imaging and ‘omics, cutting-edge cellular and animal models, cohort-led discovery science, population data, artificial intelligence, and clinical trials. The Institute is committed to translating our research towards clinical impact both within the University of Edinburgh and through external partnerships with colleagues in academia, industry and healthcare.
The research groups that are coming together to form the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research have an established world-leading track record of excellence in discovery, translational and clinical science as evidenced by their contributions to the outstanding Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 outcomes in the research areas that are the focus of Institute’s vision to lead in integrated thematic programmes in neuroscience and cardiovascular sciences. This is emphasised by the richness of our environment (75-100% classified as 4* and world-leading), health and wealth impacts (80-100% classified as 4* and world-leading) and research papers (≥90% classified as 3 and 4* and world- leading). In total, this flagship Institute attracts £50 million annually in external peer reviewed funding, has 400 members of research staff incorporating 190 principal investigators, and teaches 360 PhD and post-graduate students. Staff in this Institute are the leading contributors to undergraduate biomedical sciences programmes and lead on early years (pre-clinical) and clinical teaching for the MBChB programme.
Bringing the very best non-clinical and clinical scientists under a single institute inevitably creates an environment to facilitate and to enhance science and innovation. The magnitude, complementarity and breadth of neuroscience and cardiovascular research provide an unparalleled opportunity to bring together a critical mass of scientists to establish a unique world-leading institute with few other comparable institutes existing nationally or internationally. Research in the Institute encompasses the lifespan, from early development to old age, and is exemplified by our world-leading research centres including the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, the UK Dementia Research Institute at Edinburgh, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, the UKRI Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry and The Row Fogo Centre for Research into Ageing and the Brain. The Institute will capitalise on and develop further these synergistic links and will promote wider visibility when establishing new collaborations with laboratories including those at the forefront of the recently announced British Heart Foundation and UK Dementia Research Institute Centre for Vascular Dementia Research.
The Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research, and wider College, facilitate cutting edge research through excellent facilities, and they foster a collegial, collaborative and inclusive research culture. Training and development of the talent and skills that underpin this research, is a key focus and strength of the Institute.
The Position
We are looking for a research leader with an international reputation who will continue to foster and grow an environment where people thrive; someone who is collegial and ambitious for growing the Institute’s research and teaching and who is well-equipped to lead during a forthcoming period of change. Institute Directors are central to the success of the wider College and University. They will be motivated to work collaboratively with the talented academic, professional services staff and student body of the College to shape the next phase of the Institute’s development and success.
The Institute has a devolved budget for which the Director will have overall responsibility. This budget depends upon a strong external funding strategy, which the Director will be expected to shape together with PIs. The Director will report to the Head of College (currently Professor David Argyle). They will sit on the College Senior Management Team and Executive Group chaired by the Head of College and will also be a member of the College Research Committee, chaired by the College Dean of Research (currently Professor Liz Baggs).
The Director will lead in maintaining and developing the strategic relationship with charities and funding councils and will also:
- provide strategic leadership of the Institute to maximize high-quality scientific outputs, including advising on funding strategy and promoting a translational agenda;
- establish an internationally competitive personal research group with a focus that is consistent with theInstitute’s strategy;
- enhance and lead opportunities for collaborative research grant generation through developing strategic proposals, collaborative programmes and challenge-led grants;
- champion the development and delivery of excellent research-led learning and teaching, including through contribution to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Programmes, and through student supervision;
- exemplify and foster an outstanding culture founded on principles of equity, diversity and inclusion,transparency and collegiality;
- support effective career development and mentoring of staff at all levels within the Institute, consistentwith Athena SWAN priorities and the University HR framework;
- ensure the that the Institute infrastructure, including through its support services and facilities, meets the current and emerging needs of researchers in the Institute;
- oversee the planning and control of the Institute’s recurrent and capital budgets, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and seeking support for major infrastructure investments to support the mission of the Institute;
- promote knowledge exchange and public / patient involvement in the Institute research;
- contribute to the broader strategy and activities in the University of Edinburgh, including the coordinationof future Research Excellence Framework assessment exercises.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
An outstanding research environment fostering creativity, innovation, and collaboration. You will haveaccess to world class technologies via our state-of-the-art local facilities, support for public and patient engagement and involvement and tightly networked expertise across Edinburgh and our partner centres tocomplement and help drive your research.
An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. We give you support, nurture your talent and reward success. You will benefit from a competitive reward package and a wide range of staffbenefits, which include a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, flexible working and much more. Click to access our staff benefits page for further information and use our reward calculator to find out the total value of pay and benefits provided.
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we arealso Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
This is a senior appointment by the University of Edinburgh and, as such, a competitive salary will beoffered and will be negotiable depending on experience. The successful applicant will be employed as aUniversity Professor on University terms and conditions. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.
Related links
Research Excellence (REF) 2021 case studies
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine – rankings
History of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Edinburgh Innovations
Edinburgh Impact website
Shared Research Facilities website
The Person
Leadership comes in many forms. We are looking for someone who upholds our values and who will work to enable the people around them to deliver as best they can, while contributing to research and teaching that can change the world.
Standing and Reputation
- An outstanding research track record in neuroscience or cardiovascular sciences;
- Experience of building successful collaborative partnerships and networks;
- Ability to represent the Institute and University nationally and internationally with a range of different stakeholders.
Strategy
- Demonstrate vision and experience in the leadership of a science-driven organization, including the ability to develop and execute strategy in an Institute of 500 scientists;
- Demonstrate a commitment to look across disciplines and translational research.
Leadership
- A motivating, inclusive and effective leader, able to work with and enthuse a diverse range of staff across the breadth of the Institute and University, contributing to the further development of the Institute;
- Ability to act decisively and lead during periods of significant development and change.
Management
- Manage and direct a sustainable, diverse research operation with a large number of staff;
- Manage conflict and negotiate successful outcomes;
- Work with the Chief Operating Officer and senior professional services staff to deliver the necessary operational, people and financial planning (including capital development).
Impact
- Promote an environment in which the Institute delivers excellent research, teaching and learning;
- Demonstrate a commitment to knowledge transfer with an ability to spot and seize opportunities to translate research at the Institute for societal impact or clinical benefit for patients;
- Excellent influencing and communication skills with the motivation to debate difficult issues.
Appointment Process and How to Apply
- a full academic CV, including your contributions to supporting the wider research system; and
- a covering letter (of no more than two A4 pages) outlining your interest in, and vision for, the role.
Completed applications should be submitted electronically to [email protected] or [email protected]
The closing date for applications is Friday 10th April 2026 at 12 noon.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to formal panel interviews Monday 8th June 2026, which will be held in Edinburgh.
Applications are welcomed from everyone, irrespective of gender or ethnic group. As women and members of ethnic minorities are currently under-represented in posts at this level, applications from members of these groups are particularly encouraged.