Salary: £43,414 - 51,805
Fellows will also be provided with additional financial support in the first 2 years to accelerate the development of their research programme
The Fellowship Scheme
Robert Gordon University has a strong track record of high quality and impactful research that delivers significant social, cultural and economic value, contributing to sustainable growth, improved service provision, and increased innovation. We also have a strong commitment to research that involves co-production and collaborative working with partners locally and globally across the public, private and third sectors.
As part of a major new investment in research and to support outstanding early career researchers, RGU is recruiting 10 Chancellor’s Fellows to foster innovative interdisciplinary research that is relevant and responsive to real-world challenges.
The Chancellor’s Fellowship scheme builds on the University’s outstanding record of supporting early career researchers. Over the five years of the appointment, Fellows will be fully supported to achieve their research and leadership ambitions, and benefit from dedicated mentoring, peer support and training opportunities, including the University’s leadership and career development courses.
As credible subject experts, Fellows will be expected to develop a programme of research and knowledge exchange activities, produce outputs of at least REF 3* quality, and apply for external research funding appropriate to the discipline. Fellows will be provided with additional financial support in the first 2 years to accelerate the development of their research programme.
Fellows will normally be hosted within one of our 11 Academic Schools at our campus in Aberdeen or at the National Subsea Centre (NSC). We are also particularly keen to support applicants wishing to be based at RGU Orkney in Stromness (part of the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus) and aligned remotely to any of our academic Schools or NSC. In addition to dedicated mentoring support you will have access to the University’s leadership and career development courses.
The Fellowship scheme focusses on interdisciplinary research. We therefore welcome applicants whose research crosses disciplinary boundaries, and aligns with one or more of RGU’s four research themes:
- Environment, Energy and Sustainability
- Health and Wellbeing
- Living in a Digital World
- Inclusive and Creative Societies
Informal enquires should be directed in the first instance to Professor Nick Fyfe, Vice Principal for Research and Community Engagement.
Appointments are for five years, although there may be opportunities to apply for a permanent position. We are interested in those who have moved into academia from another sector and particularly welcome applications from female researchers, those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups who are underrepresented in this area of our workforce.
Relocation assistance will available subject to conditions.
Chancellor’s Fellows
Purpose of the Role
Fellows will develop a programme of research and knowledge exchange activities, produce outputs of at least REF 3* quality, and apply for external research funding appropriate to the discipline.
Responsible to
Will be dependent on research theme and school identified by applicant.
Responsible for
No initial direct supervisory responsibility. However, potential opportunity for the co-ordination of PhD students, research assistants/fellows to support your research activity.
Purpose of post
As credible subject experts, Fellows will be expected to establish and develop a programme of research and knowledge exchange activities, produce outputs of at least REF 3* quality, and apply for research funding appropriate to the discipline.
Principal duties
- Establish an independent research programme relevant to your interdisciplinary theme, with defined research objectives which will contribute to the overall achievement of the Universities research theme(s), targets and KPIs.
- Liaise with academic and research staff within RGU to support the research agenda and culture; help promote an awareness of research, research methods and to stimulate research activity.
- Assist in establishing and developing links with other institutions within appropriate research fields.
- Actively look to establish and lead relevant internal and external networks and contribute with existing networks to enhance your work, strategic aims and research profile.
- Present at national or internationally recognised conferences related to your theme(s) to help establish your national research profile.
- As Principal Investigator develop research projects and actively pursue external grant applications, publications, knowledge exchange and outreach activities.
- Effectively lead the co-ordination of research staff and their assigned activities related to your research theme(s) and manage any relevant research administration activity.
- Contribute to the overarching research culture within the relevant School(s) and University.
- Act as a mentor for students and developing early career researchers where relevant.
- Contribute constructively to research team meetings and networks at school and University level.
Essential Requirements
Qualifications & Professional Memberships
- PhD in relevant subject area
Knowledge
- Good understanding of the wider disciplinary field
- Understanding of the funding opportunities and constraints appropriate to the discipline
- Good understanding of the potential non-academic impacts of research and routes to achieving these through appropriate pathways of engagement
- Where appropriate to the field, a willingness to develop and conduct translational activities. For example, working with industry, involving the public, private and/or voluntary sectors and the general public
- Knowledge and awareness of research governance requirements including ethics
- Demonstrable ability in experimental design, data analysis, interpretation and presentation
- Familiarity with elementary financial planning and management of project resources
Experience
- Relevant evidence of excellent research experience nationally and internationally and presenting at national and international conferences ,
- Evidence of pro-actively identifying sources and obtaining funding to support research through the preparation of research bids and tenders.
- Recent record and evidence of leading/contributing to high quality publications, reports and conference abstracts etc.
- Experience of contributing to an inclusive and collegiate research culture and to promote equality, diversity and inclusion
- Experience of mentoring and supervision of early career student and academic researchers
- Experience of effectively leading or co-ordinating a team to support research activity
- Committed to continuous professional development
Desirable Requirements
- Evidence of effective contribution to the wider academic community
- Proven ability to plan and lead the delivery of research projects and to ensure the delivery of the required outcome
About Aberdeen and RGU
Set between the rivers Don and Dee in the North-East of Scotland, Aberdeen, with a population of c. 228,000, is the best Scottish city in which to live and work, according to The Good Growth for Cities Index 2021 run by Demos-PwC.
Celebrated for its proximity to the sea and its famous, silvery, sparkling architecture, Scotland’s third most populous city is prosperous and cosmopolitan, outperforming other major cities in the UK in terms of jobs, skills, income and environment. This is reflected in an eclectic mix of eateries, a lively nightlife scene, opportunities for outdoor adventure, year-round festivals and events, inspiring art galleries and interesting museums.
It is far milder here than you might expect from our northern location. The east coast is actually the sunniest area in Scotland, with around 1,500 of sunshine every year - ideal for the region's outstanding outdoor and active activities, which attract huge numbers of people throughout the year.
Our coastline is amazing – with rugged cliffs and beautiful sandy beaches which stretch for miles both north and south of Aberdeen. Charming fishing villages and world-class golf courses intermingle with magnificent castles overlooking the North Sea, while nature lovers will be delighted with the range of bird and mammal life inhabiting the landscape.
With the Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park within an hour of the city, there are plentiful opportunities for mountain biking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding and white-water rafting. Aberdeen also has its very own snow-sports centre where you can ski and snowboard all year round while The Deeside Way offers the chance to run, walk or cycle from the centre of Aberdeen to Ballater in the Cairngorms National Park.
The city is also the perfect place from which to expand your horizons across Scotland, the UK and Europe. Edinburgh is easily accessible by road or rail; London is just over an hour away by air; while flights to European hubs such as Amsterdam and Paris takes less than two hours.
Relocating
Whether you are coming from within Scotland, the UK or from overseas, we appreciate that it’s a complex process with a multitude of things to consider. Our recruitment team will be pleased to help and answer any questions, but you can also find the best of the information available online to help you make this transition:
We look forward to welcoming you to Aberdeen.
Relocation assistance will available subject to conditions.
How to Apply
Submit your application online:
Applications should include
- A curriculum vitae, including career/employment history. Please restrict the total length of the CV and outputs list to a maximum of 5 pages of A4.
- A two-page cover letter, outlining your proposed research programme, including:
- a research plan which particularly concentrates on for the first 2-3 years and highlights its alignment with one or more of the University’s interdisciplinary research themes
- the scope for grant applications, likely outputs, and potential for impact; and details of any activities that will support collaboration, partnership and knowledge exchange.
Closing Date
Please submit your application by Midnight Sunday 5 March 2023.
Contact
Informal enquires should be directed in the first instance to Professor Nick Fyfe, Vice Principal for Research and Community Engagement.