Professor of Art & Design

College of Arts, Humanities and Education

You will lead the research agenda as part of the next 5-year strategy working closely with the Head and Discipline Area Heads in the School of Arts. 

Job details

Responsible to

Head of School of Arts

Location

Markeaton Street and Britannia Mill, Derby Campus

Closing date

Sunday 12 January 2025

Salary

£62,100 to £77,625 per annum (For exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £89,269 per annum)

Job grade

Professor – Level 3

Reference

0300-24-R

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

Creative Arts and Design education at the University of Derby has a well-established history and heritage. The School of Arts is recognised in diverse fields of established and emerging, immersive forms of practice. The school is committed to empowering individuals and creative collectives to fully engage in real-world issues which impact society at local, regional, national, and international levels. The University provides an environment which synthesises industry and professional practice, with exceptional resources enabling our students, staff, and partners to probe, experiment and realise their ideas.

The School of Arts is looking to appoint a Professor of Art & Design to lead and contribute to our future research ambitions in research and enterprise.

You will lead the research agenda as part of the next 5-year strategy working closely with the Head and Discipline Area Heads in the School of Arts. As professor of Art and Design you will be required to make a substantial contribution to the learning and teaching strategy of the College, but also influence policy at least at a national level. Key aspects of the role include research income generation, mentoring early career researchers, development of 3*/4* REF-equivalent  research outputs, teaching on research aspects, doctoral student supervision and leading the school research strategy.

You will work collaboratively with thematic research group leads in the college and as part of the wider university framework.

You will have made a significant contribution to your area of specialism; which will be beginning to be recognised in an international context (as defined through the Research Excellence Framework) and applied your expertise in developing and winning external funding. You will be responsible for contributing to the strategic direction of the College, Discipline or research group and successfully deliver externally funded multi-institutional/stakeholder projects on time and on budget. You will be responsible for undertaking important leadership and/or management roles, including collaborations outside of the University with public and private partners, academic institutions, research funders, government agencies, non-government bodies and industry, by your chosen specialism.

You will be recognised in the multi-disciplinary field of arts and design research and practice. Professors at this level would be expected to have substantial experience and in-depth knowledge in the areas of Art, Design, and Creative Technologies, will have a significant national track record and an emerging international reputation within their field. You will have an active research profile in areas of immersive and creative technologies. An awareness and evidence of how interdisciplinary practices can develop within a school with a diverse portfolio of subjects which encompasses, Art, Design, Film, Music, Performance and Therapeutic Arts is required.

  1. Lead on the research agenda for the School of Arts and work closely with university thematic research group Professors to deliver university objectives.
  2. Lead a research focused team and supervise postgraduate students and postdoctoral staff as appropriate.
  3. Develop and lead on research programmes of significant impact and quality in own subject area.
  4. Secure external funding which develops research capacity in the College/University and advances its reputation.
  5. Publish research outcomes in high quality publications or other recognised forms of output (e.g., software, patents, creative works, externally recognised professional practice) consistent with a strong return in the Research Excellence Frameworks.
  6. Actively pursue research and collaborative partnerships across the University and with other institutions and relevant bodies.
  7. Provide intellectual leadership and mentoring to other academic staff in the College/University and provide development and support to fulfil research objectives.
  8. Through your research, demonstrate a contribution to the quality and continuous improvement of learning and teaching within the relevant discipline, recognised at a national/international level.
  9. Design, develop and lead on learning and teaching provision in own subject area commensurate with the role, including the strategic development of new programmes or areas of activity, while demonstrating excellence in learning and teaching at multiple levels.
  10. Be responsible for the quality assurance of learning and teaching, for the setting of standards expected within the University and the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and monitor delivery.
  11. Contribute to the learning and teaching strategies within the College/University, and their ongoing development.
  12. Publish or contribute towards research outcomes in high quality publications or other recognised forms of output
  13. Lead a research focused learning and teaching team and supervise postgraduate students.
  14. Sustained record of engagement and collaboration with national and international groups and decision makers in your professional area.
  15. Evidence of leading within practice or industry in a professional field with national and international impact.
  16. Successfully lead funding bids which contribute to the reputation and income of the University and area of professional practice.
  17. Lead a professional practice focused team and supervise postgraduate students and post-doctoral staff as appropriate.
  18. Provide intellectual leadership and mentoring to other staff.
  19. Lead major funding bids which contribute to the reputation and income generation of the University.
  20. Develop and lead on research programmes of significant impact and quality in own subject area.
  21. Produce high quality impactful outputs with a strong contribution to (as appropriate) REF/KEF/TEF
  22. Carry out specific roles for the College and University as may be required, such as Chairing Committees.
  23. Undertake leadership and management responsibilities commensurate with the role, providing intellectual leadership and mentoring to other staff.
  24. Demonstrate contribution at senior leadership level to the achievement of institutional Success Measures.
  25. Contribute to the role of the University in its civic setting, including public and societal engagement activities.
  26. Represent the University externally including visible and prestigious national and international collaborations with public and private partners.
  27. Identify and develop high profile links with educational bodies, industry, government agencies and other relevant sectors to increase future income generation opportunities.
  28. Mentoring colleagues and building research capacity within the College.
  29. Observe and implement University policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

  • Good degree, Master’s degree and PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
  • Professorship or working towards Professorship.

Experience

  • Experience of leading, winning and managing major external grants/projects to successful completion on time and on budget.
  • Experience of supervising the successful completion of doctoral students.
  • Experience of successful supervision of post-doctoral researchers.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

  • Relevant depth and breadth of knowledge in own academic discipline to enable the furthering of new knowledge and understanding in their field.
  • External evidence of research excellence, as demonstrated by a track record of outputs in top international journals and conferences.
  • Ability to evidence a strong track record of international recognition and esteem, such as international reviewing, work with key industry partners, journal editorships and keynote lectures.
  • Ability to lead and motivate academics, acting as a mentor to relevant staff.
  • An appropriate level of digital capability with practical experience of applications.

Desirable Criteria:

Qualifications

  • SFHEA accreditation.
  • Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
  • Teacher’s Pension Scheme
  • Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
  • Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
  • Discounted onsite gym
  • Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
  • Holiday purchase
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • A flexible working environment
  • A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Justin Burns , Head of School of Arts via J.Burns@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Elevate your career in academia, shape the future today.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

Additional information about the application process

In order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to demonstrate proven achievement against two criteria:

Significant achievement in at least one of either

  • Research or
  • Professional Practice or
  • Teaching & learning

and must also demonstrate

High level of achievement in relation to both

  • Professional Standing and
  • Senior leadership

As well as completing our online application form, please provide the following documentation:

  • An up to date current curriculum vitae;
  • A supporting covering letter outlining your suitability to the underlying role requirement, and;
  • The names of two employment referees (including ideally, the last line manager).

In addition, in order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to provide:

  • A written statement evidencing how you meet the criteria for the award of the title of Professor;
  • Details of four appropriately qualified referees (of at least Professor status) in relation to the Professorial title.

You can upload these documents whilst completing your online application.

Further information can be found in the conferment pack.

Please email recruitment@derby.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Please note that the details provided in your application may be shared with your referees, by submitting your application you are providing your consent.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

  • Your job is on the Immigration Salary List

  • You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

  • You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

  • The role you are applying for is a postdoctoral position

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit Applying from Overseas.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

A university that celebrates you

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2040.

Environment and sustainability

 

Further details

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