Director of the Usher Institute

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 Usher Institute

Conducting transformative research that impacts upon healthcare, the Usher Institute improves the health and wellbeing of patients, communities and populations locally and globally. The University of Edinburgh has a long history in this area, giving the world the disciplines of academic primary care and public health, and the Usher Institute is fundamentally rooted in these community-based applied translational sciences. The Institute brings together a critical mass of researchers with expertise in epidemiology, statistics and modelling, informatics, computer science, clinical science, sociology, social policy, governance, ethics, politics, medical law, psychology, economics, geography, health promotion and medicine to create a truly interdisciplinary research institute.

Sitting within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the Usher Institute has four core research centres, hosts the Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, and is a delivery hub within the Data-Driven Innovation Initiative of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. Working with partners across UK and international universities, the NHS, policymakers, industry and the public is central to the highly collaborative ethos of the Usher Institute. The four core research centres in Biomedicine, Self and Society; Global Health; Medical Informatics; and Population Health Sciences are at the heart of the Usher Institute. The Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit is a CMVM-wide infrastructure that is housed within Usher and offers trials and statistic methodological expertise.

Around 500 academic and professional services staff with expertise in a varied range of methodologies and topics contribute to world-leading research and teaching, in a truly interdisciplinary environment. Our research expertise is at the heart of the excellent educational experience we offer in a wide range of taught and research postgraduate programmes, both online and on-campus, our programme of continuing professional development and in our contribution to the undergraduate medical degree. The Usher is home to a flagship Masters in Public Health programme that is delivered both on campus and online.

In April 2024, the Institute moved into new £70m purpose-built facilities on the Edinburgh BioQuarter campus which can house up to 1000 people.

The Position

We are looking for a leader who will create an environment where people thrive; someone who is collegiate in their outlook, ambitious for their research and teaching and ready to lead. Heads of Institute are central to the governance and management of the wider College and University. The academics and professional services staff in the College have tremendous expertise and commitment and the Director (supported by the Usher Executive and Board) will work closely with them and the student body to shape the next phase of the Institute’s development.

The Institute has a devolved restricted and unrestricted budget for which the Director has overall responsibility. The Director will report to the Head of College (currently Professor David Argyle). They will sit on the College Executive Group chaired by the Head of College and also be a member of the College Research Committee, chaired by the College Dean of Research (currently Professor Stuart Forbes).

The Director will lead in maintaining the strategic relationship with charities and funding councils and will also:

provide leadership and strategic direction for the scientific programmes of the Institute to maximise high-quality scientific delivery, output and outcomes, including promoting a translational agenda;
establish an internationally competitive research group with a focus that is consistent with the Institute’s strategy;
manage the deployment of the Institute budget (both restricted and unrestricted) and take the necessary action to ensure the long-term financial sustainability; control capital equipment budgets and capital expenditure and seek support for major infrastructure investments to support the mission of the Institute;
lead the development and delivery of research-led learning and teaching, including through contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes, CPD and through student supervision, working with the teaching leads to identify areas for growth;
exemplify and progress an outstanding culture founded on principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, transparency and collaboration;
support effective career development and mentoring of staff at all levels within the Institute, consistent with Athena SWAN priorities and the University HR framework;
promote excellence in education, especially at postgraduate level;
maximise collaboration with relevant external bodies;
seek, and support other Institute staff to apply for, additional funding from UKRI Research Councils and from other funding bodies;
promote knowledge exchange and communication and industry partnerships to deliver economic impacts from the Institute’s research;
contribute to the broader strategy and activities in the University of Edinburgh, including the coordination of future Research Excellence Framework assessment exercises (2029).

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

An outstanding research environment fostering creativity, innovation, and collaboration. You will have access 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 to complement 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 staff benefits, which include a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, flexible working and much more. Visit our Staff Benefits website 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 are also 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 be offered and will be negotiable depending on experience. The successful applicant will be employed as a University Professor on University terms and conditions. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

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 excellent research career with international peer recognition in an area of science of relevance to the Institute.
Able to coordinate and define the scientific direction of an institute of >500 researchers and scientists.
Able to represent the Institute nationally and internationally with a range of different stakeholders.

Strategy

Demonstrate vision and experience in the leadership of a science-driven organisation and the ability to think and operate strategically.
Demonstrate independence of mind, breadth of understanding, a commitment to look across disciplines and research areas.

Leadership

A motivating, inclusive and effective leader, able to work with and enthuse a diverse range of staff across the breadth of the Institute, contributing to further development of the Institute.
Able to lead during periods of significant development and change.
Able to provide an excellent training environment for young researchers.

Management

Manage and direct a sustainable, diverse research operation with significant numbers of staff, initially across a multi- location environment.
Manage conflict and negotiate successful outcomes in challenging times.
Create, build, strengthen and sustain positive collaborative and external stakeholder partnerships and networks.
Work with senior professional services staff to handle the necessary operational and financial planning (including capital development), human resource and cultural change associated with a diverse organisation.

Commercial acumen

Committed to knowledge transfer and innovation, with an ability to translate research at the Institute into commercial opportunities.
Motivated to work with industry and other organisations within the user community.
Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to articulate policy to individuals, groups and the media and to develop effective partnerships, including committee working.
Able to take a high-profile overview when appropriate, often at short notice.
Communicate and debate difficult issues with the public, such as the use of the public’s health data to advance science.

In each of the areas above, candidates will be required to demonstrate their track record and future vision.

Appointment Process and How to Apply

Enquiries or applications can be made, in confidence, to Natalie Derry or Julia Anderson at WittKieffer.

Applications should include the following:

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 Monday 24 June 2024 at 12 noon.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an informal visit to the University and Institute during the weeks beginning 26th August and 2nd September in order to explore the role further ahead of formal interviews. The process will conclude with formal panel interviews on 11 September 2024, which will be held in Edinburgh. The final appointment will be made subject to satisfactory references.

Applications are welcomed from everyone. The University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and applicants from minority groups are particularly encouraged.

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