Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange Services (RKES)

Advert

Glasgow Caledonian – the largest and leading modern university in Scotland - is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London. With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, we have strong partnerships with employers to ensure our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.

We were ranked the UK’s top modern university in the Mail guide (2025), and entered the top highly 50 UK universities in the 2024 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the first time.  We are the only Scottish university with EcoCampus Platinum accreditation.

With a wide range of professionally accredited courses and links with over 300 industry partners, we have the highest proportion of undergraduate level graduates in highly skilled occupations (83%) compared to other Scottish modern universities - with 91% of our students in employment or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA 2023). We are Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships and we have transnational partnerships around the world, supporting more than 22,000 students from nearly 120 countries.  We are committed to widening participation, helping more people from diverse backgrounds into university.

Our research focusses on three major societal challenges of healthy lives, inclusive societies, and sustainable environments.  In the last REF, 72% of our research was considered to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF2021) - unsurpassed by any other Scottish modern university.  Our health research is surpassed only by King’s College London for outstanding impact (REF2021) and we have ambitions to significantly grow our research over the next 6 years. 

Guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence - we transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

We are appointing an inaugural director of Research and Knowledge Exchange Services (RKES).  This Directorate is being formed from the Research and Innovation Office (RIO), the Graduate School, and the researcher support activity currently located within the School Professional Services Directorate.  In this way we will deliver upon the University research plan which seeks to significantly increase our research, innovation and enterprise, to transform lives. 

The newly formed directorate of Research and Knowledge Exchange Services will bring together research support, researcher support, innovation, enterprise and knowledge transfer support to enhance the synergy of cross-team and pan-University working in these areas. 

 

The Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange Services will work in close partnership with the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research (PVCR) on the development and implementation of the University’s research and knowledge exchange strategic plan and policies.  They will lead the development of a newly formed research and researcher support directorate, manage and be accountable for the efficient and effective provision of comprehensive research and knowledge exchange services across the University community, and play a key role in the development of a strong REF submission. This is an exciting opportunity to join the university as it embarks upon an ambitious research plan as part of our Strategy 2030 refresh.

We are looking for a leader with demonstrable vision and strategic leadership skills, and a track record of building meaningful relationships with academics and professional staff at all levels.  The successful candidate will have significant senior leadership experience within the higher education sector.  They will also bring executive-level knowledge and understanding of the higher education sector, the national and international research policy framework, knowledge exchange, and legislation relevant to research and postgraduate research.

Prospective candidates are invited to speak to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Professor Andrea Nelson for further discussion, andrea.nelson@gcu.ac.uk .

Additional Information

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do.  As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success​.

The University holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the Carer Positive ‘Engaged’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception).