Professor & Head of the Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology

The postholder will lead a world‑class research programme aligned with the strategic priorities of the Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, alongside shaping and enhancing high‑quality undergraduate and postgraduate education. The post holder will produce a sustained body of internationally excellent and world‑leading research outputs, whilst influencing curriculum strategy, academic standards and educational innovation. They will work collaboratively across the Faculty, University and King's Health Partners, leading research teams and partnerships, supporting students and staff, and contributing to major institutional initiatives.

As a senior leader, mentor and role model, the post holder will foster an inclusive, ambitious and values‑driven academic community. They will contribute to Faculty and University governance, represent King’s externally, and help ensure that education and scholarship within the Faculty remain at the forefront of international practice and academic excellence. This role sits within the Education & Research (E&R) academic pathway. Academics on the E&R Pathway are expected to make balanced contributions to the two main domains of education and research.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research: Lead and sustain a world‑leading, internationally competitive research programme aligned with Faculty and University priorities. Produce a sustained body of research outputs of international excellence and, where appropriate, world‑leading quality, suitable for REF submission. Secure and lead substantial external research funding as Principal Investigator, while contributing strategically to major collaborative grants and initiatives. Build, lead and sustain large, diverse research teams and networks within King’s and with national and international partners. Provide strategic leadership in research culture, including mentoring early‑career researchers, supporting research integrity and promoting inclusive research practices. Ensure that all research activity complies with the highest standards of ethics, governance, integrity and data protection.
• Education: Provide strategic leadership in undergraduate and postgraduate education, ensuring consistently excellent, inclusive and research‑enhanced teaching across programmes. Lead and shape curriculum strategy and educational innovation at Departmental, Faculty and/or University level. Provide oversight and leadership of assessment strategy, academic standards and quality assurance, ensuring compliance with University regulations and sector best practice. Supervise postgraduate research students as lead supervisor and contribute to the strategic development and sustainability of the postgraduate research environment. Mentor and develop academic colleagues in teaching, curriculum leadership and education scholarship.
• Innovation, Impact & Knowledge Exchange: Lead and contribute to innovation, impact and knowledge exchange activities that deliver significant societal, policy, health or economic benefit. Contribute to education‑related scholarship, innovation and external engagement that enhances the Faculty’s education profile nationally and internationally. Translate research findings and academic expertise into demonstrable benefits beyond academia, appropriate to the discipline and nature of the role. Represent the Faculty and University externally through leadership roles in national and international academic, professional or policy‑making bodies.
• Leadership & Citizenship: Provide senior academic leadership within the Department, School and/or Faculty, contributing to strategic planning, governance and decision‑making. Shape Faculty and University‑level strategy across education, research, people and culture priorities. Champion equality, diversity and inclusion, embedding inclusive leadership and practice across all academic activities. Lead and support student recruitment, widening participation, outreach and engagement activities at Faculty or University level. Work in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues, modelling collegiate, transparent and values‑driven leadership.

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.

Period of appointment: The substantive appointment is an ongoing academic Professorial contract, a permanent member of the academic staff of King’s College London. The postholder will take on additional leadership responsibilities as Head of the Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology for a fixed term of three years, with the potential for renewal at the agreement of both parties following review.

Essential Criteria:

• PhD awarded in a relevant subject area.
• Internationally recognised research profile with a sustained record of outputs of international excellence and, where appropriate, world‑leading quality.
• Outstanding track record of securing and leading substantial external research funding as Principal Investigator.
• Extensive record of strategic leadership in undergraduate and postgraduate education, including curriculum innovation, educational quality and academic standards at Faculty, University or equivalent level.
• Proven record of successful postgraduate research supervision as lead supervisor, with sustained evidence of successful progression, completion and development of researchers.
• Significant academic leadership experience at Departmental, Faculty, University or equivalent level.
• Excellent strategic leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to shape agendas across disciplines and institutions.
• Fellowship of Advance HE (FHEA or above) or equivalent.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in a Faculty leadership role such as Head of Department, Vice Dean role or equivalent.

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university. The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description.