The role

The ambition of both the College and the Faculty is to establish King’s as a beacon for research excellence, competitive alongside the world’s best by strengthening the breadth of research activity across our disciplines, whilst establishing new inter-disciplinary academic initiatives within Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. The Vice Dean (Research) will be critical to achieving this aim through strategic leadership and the development of a research-centric environment. The role will support development of multidisciplinary research centres in emerging areas where we are able to secure significant external funding, in line with the ambitious King’s Interdisciplinary Science initiative (more information about KIS can be found in the About Us section). Existing and emerging research centres in NMES include: • Centre for Net Zero • Centre for Physical Sciences of Life • King’s Quantum The post holder will ensure a fit-for-purpose research environment and culture to support success, working with other College faculties, departments and externally.

The Vice Dean role will work with the Executive Dean and the Executive Board to provide this strategic leadership to help inform the direction and detail of these ambitions for excellent research with impact though a coordinated research vision, with a commitment to equality and diversity across all aspects. This role will pursue and promote collaborative work opportunities across science and engineering. This post represents an exciting and prestigious opportunity to shape the future of science and engineering at King’s College London for academic candidates with direct experience of setting up a successful research group and a demonstrable understanding of establishing a clear research strategy (for example at group, department or faculty level) from inception to implementation. The Vice Dean (Research) will be a key influencer to encourage and inspire others at all levels to succeed in their personal research and in the development of a strong research culture. The postholder should have an innovative and creative research track record of their own, evidence of personal research standing and a proven history of securing significant funding from varied and diverse external and internal sources to help enable others. Experience of establishing interdisciplinary research between departments and faculties while facilitating stakeholder relationships to achieve successful collaborations will also be a key element of the role. The Vice Dean (Research) will be passionate about championing interdisciplinary research and facilitating its success, with expertise and determination to establish new collaborations across the Faculty, leading to large grant applications and multi-disciplinary opportunities, mindful of UKRI and EU funding landscapes and the future possibilities they provide. Applications are encouraged from candidates across diverse backgrounds and with passion for research excellence, seeking the challenge and opportunity to drive and achieve a significant sea change in the quality and impact of research and research funding. The post will be part of the wider faculty leadership team that is aligned to support the delivery of King’s Strategic Vision 2029. It is expected that the appointed academic will spend 0.6FTE undertaking the role of Vice Dean (Research).

Key responsibilities

• Developing, implementing and promoting the Faculty’s research strategy whilst ensuring consistency with the College’s research plan, articulating a clear research vision and objectives alongside a framework for delivering research excellence at department and group level; reporting regularly to the Faculty Executive Board to update on key research matters. • Overseeing the implementation and promotion of research-related policy initiatives and systems, working in conjunction with the Director of Operations, Head of Research Operations, Heads of Departments, Deputy Heads of Departments (Research) and professional services colleagues to ensure stakeholder input, engagement and understanding to support rollout and compliance. • Overseeing a supportive, innovative and reflective environment across the Faculty to engender and enhance research excellence with potential for impact and increase grant capture, including opportunities for mentoring, sharing best practice and exchanging ideas to nurture outstanding researchers and PhD students. This will include continuing initiatives around networking and funding opportunities as well as developing new ideas; working with Research Development colleagues to develop strategic approaches to grant capture in line with research and financial strategies whilst still ensuring the timely review, approval and submission of quality external grant applications and research funding bids. • Chairing the Faculty Research Committee, overseeing the members and research leads at department-level to develop a schedule of work and activities that contributes to the implementation / achievement of the wider research strategy, articulated through key deliverables, milestones and timescales; ensuring effective communication between the Faculty and departments through agreed interfacing arrangements. • Working with the Director of Operations, Head of Technical Services and other colleagues to develop and implement the Faculty Space Strategy and ensure that relevant infrastructure is in place to support and grow research activity across the faculty. • Overseeing the Graduate School Director and Deputy Director to support PGR activity and innovation across the Faculty including oversight of the annual EPSRC DTP allocations process to each department through a clear and transparent methodology, working alongside the Head of Business Operations to consider available Faculty-funded studentships as part of the overarching allocation process. • Working with the Executive Dean, departmental research leads, professional services, and others to ensure the strongest possible submission to REF including the production and selection of 4* publications and generating 4* impact case studies and preparing the submission for the Faculty. • Acting as the Faculty lead for College and external research-related consultations and review exercises, including liaison with the Francis Crick Institute to support joint recruitment activities and placements and also in relation to internal and external research quality evaluation, e.g. REF. • Advising in relation to new academic appointments to ensure alignment with the Faculty’s strategy; promoting the involvement and requirements of early career academics as part of strategic plans alongside the identification and development of relevant fellowship opportunities; Ensure considerations are made to support new academic appointments with appropriate start-ups that enable them to establish themselves effectively at King’s. • Advising the Faculty on investments related to infrastructure requirements, new areas of research development and the strategic alignment of academic appointments to achieve this. • Working with the Vice Dean (Education), Vice Dean (Enterprise & Engagement) and Vice-Dean (People & Planning) to ensure consideration of research-related impacts and activities across the range of operational business and planning undertaken at Faculty and departmental levels, including (for example) research-led teaching as part of the student experience, providing a research overview at the Faculty Enterprise & Engagement Committee or in relation to research aspects of business planning. • To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Executive Dean, including nomination as the Faculty Research Integrity Champion, whilst also supporting the development and deployment of initiatives that reinforce the underpinning principles of the College, such as racial equality, gender equality, service and civil leadership, with other members of the Executive Board. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.