Home to the curious, brave and bold.We're a university where curiosity prevails, and where exploring new ways of thinking and pushing boundaries, isn't just encouraged, it's expected. At a very exciting time in our development, we are seeking to appoint a Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research). Our Strategic Plan 2013-19 sets our ambition to be acknowledged nationally and internationally as a leading research-intensive university. Now significantly into our Plan, we have risen to 30th in the Times Good University Guide and by 2019 we want to be firmly in the top 25 of UK universities and all of our subjects in the top 20% of their discipline within the UK. Our aim is to grow the size of the University by 50% by 2019 to 15,000 students and to double the number of staff submitted to the next REF to 600. Having grown from about 9,500 to 14,000 students, we are on target to meet our goals.The RoleReporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor and a member of the University's executive team (University Steering Group), the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) is a senior academic leadership post within the University. They will develop the University's research strategy (including the dissemination and application of the University's research through knowledge transfer activities, and consultancy), and will be responsible for ensuring the effective implementation, in collaboration with other members of the University executive, of this strategy.The post-holder will be appointed to a substantive Chair (Professorship) in one of our academic departments, to which they will revert at the conclusion of their term of office. Upon return to their home department, they will undertake the full remit of academic duties including education, research, leadership/citizenship. The normal term of appointment to the role of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) is three years, with eligibility for re-appointment for further three years. They may exceptionally be re-appointed for a further period of up to three years making a total of nine years. We recognise that in a research-intensive University, research credibility is essential and 20% of the PVC's time will be allocated to maintaining and developing their research career and they are expected to be eligible for submission to the REF as part of the contractual requirements of this post. This is a full-time appointment.Qualifications/SkillsThe successful candidate should hold a PhD in a discipline relevant to the University, or have an equivalent level of experience, together with a distinguished academic record, including an internationally excellent research standing. A proven track record of successful academic leadership at a senior level in a higher education institution that includes a broad range of disciplines together with excellent planning skills, allied to well-developed analytical and problem solving skills are also essential.Appointment will be made on the Grade 11 scale and will be commensurate with skills and experience. This post also carries a leadership allowance for the term of office.At the University of Essex internationalism is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally-oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries and a university where you can find the world in one place. To find out more, please visit www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe36821 and for an informal and confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at GatenbySanderson, Penny Cunningham on 0113 205 6297, or Juliet Taylor on 07834869234.Please see the further detail link below for a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post.*Further detail: Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) jobpack*More information: Working at the University