Aston University is a public research university located in Birmingham’s city centre, England’s second largest city in terms of population. Our origins date back to the 19th century when a School of Metallurgy was founded in the Birmingham and Midland Institute. By 1895, it had become the Birmingham Municipal Technical School. Several other name changes ensued until Aston gained university status in 1966. The university is made up of three Colleges: Engineering and Physical Science, Health and Life Sciences, Business and Social Sciences. We have a student body of over 17,500 students, and around 2200 staff.

Recipient of University of the Year 2020 (Guardian), our mission is to be the UK's leading university for students aspiring to succeed in the professions, where original research, enterprise, and inspiring teaching deliver local and global impact. Students from over 120 countries choose to study at Aston University - a safe and friendly campus enjoyed by a global, multicultural community. We received ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ research assessment for 79% of our research in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. Ranked 22nd (Guardian University Guide, 2023), we are committed to ensuring our community of students, researchers and support staff are well supported and engaged.   

Following the recent appointment of our new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aleks Subic, we are currently in the process of engaging with our community to develop a new 2030 strategy, which will build on our strengths as a university focused on science, technology and enterprise and articulate an exciting vision for the university for the coming years. Aligned with this vision, we will be relying on the PVC (Research & Enterprise) to lead the transformation and growth of our research and innovation performance across scale, quality and impact, and lead Aston’s preparations for the next REF exercise. Working at the interface of academia and industry, the PVC (Research & Enterprise) will demonstrate the ability to develop and sustain strategic partnerships to enhance the each and impact of our research and grow research translation and enterprise.

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) will provide academic leadership and strategic guidance to enhance the scale, quality and impact of the University’s research portfolio and raise the profile of our research externally, providing direction and ambition in the development of effective research policies and processes.

This role offers a major opportunity for an outstanding individual to join Aston at an exciting time in the University’s development. You will be a research leader with an international reputation, confident working at Board level to lead strategy, engage internal and external stakeholders, and drive impact. You will create new opportunities for our research community, develop and nurture a positive collaborative research culture across the institution.

University is committed to building a fully inclusive and diverse community, including in its senior leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds with the qualifications and experience to undertake this role, including under-represented groups.

How to Apply:

Basic DBS disclosure is required for this role.

Applications should consist of a covering letter, full CV detailing academic and professional qualifications, employment history, latest remuneration and relevant achievements.

Completed applications should be uploaded at www.perrettlaver.com/candidates quoting reference 6568 by noon (GMT) on Monday 19th June.

Accessibility

For a conversation in confidence, please contact Research Associate, Matthew Justice on matthew.justice@perrettlaver.com or +44 (0)20 3928 7359.

Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Project Manager, Thivya Sureshkumar on thivya.sureshkumar@perrettlaver.com.

If you have comments that would support us to improve access to documentation, or our application processes more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us via accessibility@perrettlaver.com.

Inclusion

Perrett Laver believes that excellence will be achieved through recognising the value of every individual. A broad range of perspectives, backgrounds and opinions amongst our global community of colleagues is crucial in maintaining our culture of openness, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. We take an active role in supporting under-represented communities and groups in becoming better and more fairly represented in the leadership of all organisations. We also know that diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our ability to identify, engage and secure candidates from these groups.

Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, identity, and experience drives us every day – for clients, for candidate identification and in the recruitment, development and retention of colleagues. 

To ensure inclusion on the basis of age, disability, ethnic or national origin, family circumstance, gender, gender identity, marital status, nationality, political or religious beliefs, race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, we would like to specifically invite applications from under-represented groups.

Data Protection and Privacy

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As defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, and our legal basis for processing your personal data is ‘Legitimate Interests’. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website http://www.perrettlaver.com/information/privacy/.