Dean of the NIHR Academy and Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities in Leeds

Dean of the NIHR Academy and Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities

Join to apply for the Dean of the NIHR Academy and Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities role at NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)

Pre‑requisites: The successful role holder will not hold any other NIHR honorary position for the duration of the tenure, other than in exceptional circumstances.

We are looking to appoint a Dean of the NIHR Academy, who will also serve as NIHR Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities (referred to as \’the Dean\’ throughout the advert). This is to succeed Professor Waljit Dhillo who reaches the end of their tenure on 30 August 2026.

This role is an honorary post and does not confer any employment status or any employment rights.

Tenure and time commitment

The tenure for this role is 3 years, in the first instance with the potential to extend for a further year. The successful candidate cannot hold another NIHR honorary role for the duration of the tenure except in exceptional circumstances. The overall commitment includes attending meetings, providing specific advice and undertaking background and planning work.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a senior NIHR leader and ambassador, championing NIHR capacity development opportunities across research, policy and practitioner communities in all settings.
• Drive the strategy for NIHR Academy programmes and wider capacity and capability building schemes, working collaboratively with senior NIHR leaders, such as the other Scientific Directors, and the Science, Research and Evidence Directorate leadership.
• Provide leadership and oversight to ensure maximum impact for investment of the NIHR research capability and capacity offer, ensuring that they align and support:
• Government priorities and commitments such as the OSCHR Reports, the 10 Year Health Plan, the Life Sciences Sector Plan and UK Research Workforce Strategy.
• Other programme investments and priorities for NIHR, UKRI, charities and the life sciences sector.
• Advise and provide insights to DHSC on the direction for NIHR Academy programmes. This includes the balance of investment across the different career stages and professions and responsiveness to the needs of the health, social care and public system.
• Collaborate and build relationships with other funders, charities and industry, to inform both the strategic and scientific direction of NIHR capacity building.
• Embed and champion equality, diversity and inclusion across all programmes, schemes and initiatives, fostering an inclusive environment that engages the talents and energy of diverse people within our research community.
• Develop the talent pipeline for key Academy roles, most importantly for the next generation of Associate Deans, committee Chairs and Deputy Chairs.
• Actively participate in NIHR Governance including the NIHR Board and NIHR Strategy and Engagement Board.

Essential key skills, qualifications and experience

• Experience of developing expert research capacity and capability across academia and the health, social care and public health system, including capacity development in research delivery.
• A track record of achievement in translational, clinical, applied health, public health or social care research; the candidate can be from any professional background.
• Multi‑sector expertise, including credibility with senior stakeholders from across academia, public research funders, charities, industry, the health and care system and with Government officials.
• Extensive understanding of clinical and non‑clinical academic training for professions across health, public health and social care and career pathways for the research delivery workforce.
• Excellent management, interpersonal, and leadership skills, including effectively chairing meetings and the ability to demonstrate credibility amongst peers.
• Strategic management of collaborative programmes, initiatives and schemes.
• Experience of working corporately and across organisational boundaries employing collaborative ways of working.
• Ability to shape, respond to and implement NIHR policy.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to Leeds, London, and other locations across England to attend in‑person meetings and engagements as required.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Industries

Research Services

Location

Barwick In Elmet, England, United Kingdom