Professor/Reader

Are you an inspirational and dynamic Professor or Reader? Or are you ambitious to become one?

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to contribute to the transformation of a business school’s research culture, to provide academic leadership and to power impactful RKE that transforms lives and communities?

If you are, we’d love to hear from you.

About us:

The University of Central Lancashire is an international, multi-campus Institution, and one of the UK’s largest universities, with a staff and student community approaching 42,000.

Our employment-focused course portfolio, with over 350 undergraduate programmes, nearly 200+ postgraduate courses, and a rich array of CPD courses means that students enjoy a first-class experience underpinned by research. Our current Strategic Plan runs until 2028 to mark the University’s 200th anniversary and seeks to “transform lives by delivering an outstanding educational experience and creating prosperity and opportunity in the communities we serve”. 

The School of Business is home to over 4,500 students and 130 staff. We offer a comprehensive range of industry-focused and professionally accredited qualifications designed to meet the needs of current and aspiring business leaders. These range from Foundation Entry, Degree Apprenticeships, bachelor’s and master’s degrees to PhD and doctoral programmes, and an expanding range of CPD courses spanning the fields of Accounting, International Business, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Tourism and Hospitality.

In NSS 2024, the School of Business was ranked Number 1 in the UK for overall positivity for Accounting and for Tourism and Hospitality courses, and Top 10 in the north-west for Business and Accounting. In 2023, we won the Education North Award for Best Entrepreneurial University, recognising the quality of the work we do to support SMEs.

We returned two Units of Assessment (17 and 24) in REF2021, and both saw improvements. We have strong links with regional and national businesses, and 100% of our Impact was graded 3-4* (UoA17). Our Centre for SME and Enterprise Development and Institute for Research into Work, Organisations and Employment (iROWE) undertake RKE that influences business improvement and policy, informs teaching and promotes positive change in the communities we serve.

The School holds the Small Business Charter and professional body course accreditations. We are a United Nations PRME signatory and hold the Athena Swan Bronze Award. We are also members of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, AACSB, EFMD and AMBA.

About the role:

You will contribute actively to the leadership and enhancement of a vibrant research environment and to the development of research strategy to drive world-class, impactful research and knowledge exchange at the university. You will lead and conduct research of international significance in a business school discipline.

You will work closely with colleagues, partner organisations and professional organisations and make a significant leadership contribution to enhancing research capacity and capability, knowledge transfer and scholarly activity within the school.

About you: 

We are looking to recruit two inspirational and dynamic Professors/Readers with expertise in subjects relating to ‘Business Futures’ to provide strong leadership to faculty, build community and improve performance and to help lead our success.

We are keen to appoint Professors/Readers with a proven track record of success. Equally, we will consider excellent, ambitious applicants who are looking for promotion to Professor/Reader. 

You will possess a: 

• A strong track record of research leadership such as the management of research teams/clusters
• Demonstrable experience of research management and administration within a business school setting 
• A strong record and sustained output of research and publications in a business school discipline; success in obtaining competitive research funding and making presentations at international conferences.
• A significant personal contribution by scholarship, research, consultancy, practice or performance in a business school discipline 
• Ability to contribute to the REF/KEF through quality outcomes.
• Research experience in a relevant topic and successful supervision of research students.
• Evidence of national and international recognition in your speciality
• Track record of effective networks and consortia
• A PhD (or equivalent) in a specific topic relevant to business school disciplines

We are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will diversify the University’s research leadership team and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all. 

For further details about the role and the benefits and rewarding careers at the University please see University of Central Lancashire - School of Business Jobs

How to Apply: 

We have engaged the services of Talent Acumen to source and coordinate applications, so to apply please send, via, charlotte.shelton@talent-acumen.com

• an up-to date CV and 
• a covering letter (of no more than two A4 pages) summarising your experience, attributes, and your view of your overall suitability for the role.
• what you consider to be your strongest research publication. you wish to apply for the role, please send your CV.

The closing date for applications is close of play Sunday 23rd February 2025 

Shortlisting will take place on Friday 7th March 2025 

Final interviews will be held on Tuesday 18 March 2025