Glasgow Caledonian University – the University for the Common Good – is a vibrant, values-led, multi-cultural University with a global outlook, dedicated to delivering social innovation. Our organisational strategy is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and our globally recognised researchers advise governments, industry and international bodies. We’re ranked fifth in the world and first in the UK for promoting gender equality, 69th globally for social impact, and the top modern university in Scotland for research power. In 2020-21, we contributed £1.7 billion and more than 14,000 jobs across the globe.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the Department of Occupational Therapy and Human Nutrition and Dietetics within the multidisciplinary School of Health and Life Sciences. The Department contributes to the university’s core research excellence, fostered via the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH). In the recent REF assessment (2021) 91% of GCU’s health related research has been formally classified as world-leading or internationally excellent. Moreover, the impact of GCU’s applied health research was classified as ‘outstanding’ and surpassed by only one other UK institution. The University’s outstanding record for delivering impact for the common good against the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals was also highlighted in the recent THE Global Impact Rankings with GCU 1st in Scotland for SDG3, good health and wellbeing.
As Head of Department, you will be the academic and strategic lead with responsibility for managing, supporting and mentoring staff. The successful candidate will hold a professional qualification in an appropriate area, either Human Nutrition and Dietetics or Occupational Therapy as well as a Doctoral qualification and track record in research and be able to evidence success in leading and delivering excellence in teaching and learning.
As Head of Department, you will be responsible for the oversight of the student experience and for developing and maintaining a portfolio of programmes with national and international appeal. You will have responsibility for enhancing the external profile of the department, sourcing income generating opportunities and leading research activity with clear focus on fostering output for the next REF exercise. Alignment of your area of expertise with the current ReaCH research themes of public health or long-term conditions and related to one of our existing research groups is essential.
As a member of the School’s Senior Management Group, you will support the Dean in driving the School’s financial and academic performance in line with the University’s Strategy 2030.
GCU operates a rotational system for its Head of Department roles. The appointment of HoD would therefore be for a 5-year fixed period, however a substantive contract will be offered at a Senior Lecturer, Reader or Professor level, subject to skills and experience. At the end of the 5-year Head of Department role, you would move entirely to this substantive role, with the opportunity to develop further your learning and teaching and the research outputs of the department. Remuneration would be commensurate with the level of the post.
For further details of this exciting opportunity and to apply please go to our GCU vacancy page on our website: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/latestvacancies/