Centre Director, MRC UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff

Cardiff University, Adamsdown, Caerdydd - Cardiff

Centre Director, MRC UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff

Salary Not Specified

Cardiff University, Adamsdown, Caerdydd - Cardiff

  • Full time
  • Contract
  • Onsite working

Posted 2 weeks ago, 25 Jan | Get your application in now before you miss out!

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: 7ff1d7461d6f4d448a5064cfc18a25ac

Full Job Description

The Centre Director will be a member of the MRC UK DRI Senior Leadership Team. They will, with the National Director and Directors of other Centres, set the overall scientific direction and vision for UK DRI in the broad area of "Understanding disease mechanisms and identifying therapeutic targets for dementia and other forms of neurodegeneration" with the overarching objective of driving research excellence and capitalising on the strategic strengths in Cardiff. They will also direct their own internationally competitive research programme in dementia or neurodegeneration and be a scientific leader within the UK DRI community, contributing to the success and growth of the UK DRI as a single National MRC Institute. As a Cardiff University Professor, The Director will contribute to a thriving community at the very forefront of world-leading research and teaching. Their research programme will contribute to the broader work of the School of Medicine and they will have the opportunity to teach on relevant courses. In the event that the appointee is a Clinical Academic, we anticipate supporting them to maintain their clinical skills and will work with one of our local NHS partners to facilitate this., You will work with the School of Medicine developing the research activities of the UK DRI. This post is available for someone with an established academic record in research and leadership. The Centre Director will be required to: Leadership

  • Provide strong scientific leadership and vision for the UK DRI at Cardiff University and the broader UK DRI community.
  • Develop, with the National Director, a strong scientific identity for the UK DRI at Cardiff.
  • Actively maintain and nurture the relationship between the UK DRI at Cardiff and Cardiff University.
  • Foster an interactive and supportive environment for collaboration within Cardiff University, across the UK DRI network and more broadly., Build an inclusive and welcoming Centre through the promotion of equity across all areas, including recruitment, people development, and collaboration activities.
  • Create a stimulating environment within the UK DRI at Cardiff that fosters diversity and talent, encourages innovation and supports excellence.
  • Manages the resource requirements needed to sustain the UK DRI at Cardiff, including the staffing and infrastructure required for taking forward the programmes of research to success.
  • With operational support, maintain oversight and responsibility for the recruitment, management, training and career development of Centre staff, including line management and performance management, in accordance with the UK DRI and Cardiff University policies and procedures.
  • Oversee the Centre's science, logistics, finances and personnel, and accept ultimate responsibility for the development of talent, financial management, and overall performance of the Centre.
  • Direct the activities of the Centre by supervising some projects personally and overseeing projects delegated to other staff members.
  • Provide the intellectual energy and independent thinking necessary to lead and deliver a personal programme of cutting-edge research and to shape the overall aims and success of the Centre.
  • Be part of the National UK DRI Senior Leadership Team.
  • Ensure that all research within the Centre is conducted in accordance with good practice and in compliance with UK DRI and Cardiff policies and legal requirements.
  • Disseminate the research outputs from the Centre by encouraging publication of results, presentations at scientific meetings and responding to media enquiries, working with Cardiff and UK DRI communications teams to ensure that achievements are widely publicised through all suitable media.
  • Communicate and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including Government, the press and the public.
  • Research
  • Lead a major dementia-relevant research programme at Cardiff, plan the scientific direction of the research programme, addressing key questions within the overall scientific remit of the UK DRI and take responsibility for presenting the programme for peer review as part of the Institute's scientific assessment and in accordance with the funder's procedures.
  • Develop a research portfolio that demonstrably interfaces and complements the current research portfolio and future science strategy of the UK DRI.
  • Prepare submissions for the UK DRI annual reports and quinquennial review.
  • Develop a portfolio of dementia-relevant research funding from other awarding bodies.
  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of the mission of the UK DRI, an interest in its research work and a strong commitment to supporting high quality research.
  • Generate and manage collaborations within Cardiff, the UK DRI, and with external programmes, institutions, foundations, and companies.
  • Maintain a broad, balanced, and informed perspective of current scientific issues, especially those pertaining directly to the field of research.
  • Represent the UK DRI Cardiff on University committees and working groups as required.
  • Identify and capitalise on opportunities for the creation of intellectual property and the exploitation of commercial potential, cooperating in patent protection and exploitation according to UK DRI Ltd and Cardiff policies., Develop interactions with industry to facilitate translation of the results of the Centre's research into drugs, devices, services, and other patient interventions.
  • Contribute to the UK DRI's commitment to build public awareness of and engagement with the UK DRI and its mission through engagement with people affected by dementia and the broader public, to communicate the excitement of research to the public in an accessible way and to help raise the profile of the UK DRI.
  • Contribute to scientific progress in the field by, for example, membership of expert committees, editing specialist journals and refereeing funding applications.
  • Teaching
  • Contribute, as appropriate, to undergraduate teaching programmes at Cardiff.
  • Demonstrate academic leadership, both in terms of organisation and delivery, of clinical and research education.
  • Act as a coach, mentor and role model for junior colleagues.
  • Supervise Masters, MD and PhD candidates.
  • Contribute to curriculum development for relevant current and future programmes of study.
  • Other
  • To contribute to the effective management and administration of the Division, School and College, within the University.
  • To undertake such administrative duties as required by the National Director of the UK DRI and Senior Management at Cardiff University.
  • To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity, data protection and information governance, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures and codes as appropriate.
  • To perform other academic duties, on an occasional basis, and by agreement, which are not included above, but which are consistent with the role of a senior academic.
  • For Clinical appointments only: A job plan will be agreed at appointment, we anticipate up to 20% FTE of clinical activities per week could be accommodated and would be negotiated following interview with the successful candidate. For clinical (NHS) duties the post holder will be responsible to the Clinical Director, and professionally accountable to the Medical Director, at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. They will be required to:
  • Hold and maintain a Licence to Practise with the General Medical Council
  • Hold an honorary consultant contract with the relevant NHS Trust(s)
  • Provide Direct Clinical Care and Supporting Professional Activities, in line with the provisions of the amended Consultant Contract for Wales
  • Provide a consultant-led service, including where relevant, outpatient clinics and in-patient care, as agreed with the relevant Clinical Director, via the Job Planning process
  • Provide telephone advice and liaise with other health care providers, hospitals and primary care teams, as required
  • Undertake the professional supervision and management of junior staff - in certain circumstances, the post-holder may be named as the person responsible for overseeing the training of junior staff
  • Participate actively in clinical audit, in liaison with other colleagues and in line with the NHS Trust policy on the implementation of clinical governance
  • Participate actively in Continuing Professional Development, in line with guidance from the Royal College of Physicians and in agreement with the Chief Executive of the relevant NHS Trust(s)

    1. Full General Medical Council registration and Licence to practise;
  • 2. Membership/Fellowship of a relevant Royal College or equivalent; 3. Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or equivalent and registration on the Specialist Register in relevant specialist area (or be within 6 months of eligibility for inclusion). For all Applicants: 1. Postgraduate research degree, MD or PhD or equivalent, relevant to the research area outlined in the job description; 2. Proven sustained and substantial record of publications in national and international journals and/or other quantifiable research outputs; 3. An established international reputation within the academic field of dementia or related areas of research; 4. Proven record of winning competitive research funding along with a strong portfolio of research grants; 5. Proven record of senior academic and strategic leadership, including proven capacity to develop partnerships and collaborations with Clinical, Academic and Industrial partners; 6. Proven communication and networking skills, evidence of successful relationship building and project management; 7. An understanding with evidence of the importance of the clinical impact of basic research. DESIRABLE CRITERIA 1. Experience of medical undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervision; 2. Evidence of commitment to nurture and support the development of the next generation; 3. Proven capacity to translate research into new tests or treatments for dementia.

    Cardiff University and the MRC UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI) are seeking to appoint an outstanding established academic to a new Chair in Neuroscience and to leadership of the MRC UK DRI Centre within the School of Medicine at Cardiff. The tenured appointment will be made at the level of Clinical or non-Clinical Professor. We are looking for an Internationally recognised scientist working in any area relevant to the overarching mission of MRC UK DRI, "To improve understanding of disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets for dementia and other forms of neurodegeneration". This includes the biology of behavioural and psychiatric features of dementia. The MRC UK DRI is a National MRC Institute led by Professor Siddharthan Chandran that comprises eight Centres in the UK, each led by a Centre Director, across our six host University partners; University College London, University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London and King's College London. The underpinning objective of the UK DRI is to transform through discovery research the outlook for people living with or at risk of dementias and related neurodegenerative disorders. Our principal funder is the MRC. Additional major funding partners include the British Heart Foundation, LifeArc, Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's Research UK. The UK DRI at Cardiff University is based in the university's flagship Hadyn Ellis Building and comprises eight Group Leaders, two Emerging Leaders and numerous Fellows, Associates and Co-Investigators. Current research includes a broad portfolio spanning large scale genetic studies, state-of-the-art bioinformatics and 'omics, disease modelling in rodents, flies and iPS brain cells, in-depth analysis of disease mechanism and exploitation of mechanistic findings for development of new approaches to testing and treatment in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The UK DRI at Cardiff sits at the core of an exceptional local neuroscience community, including:
  • World-leading brain imaging at CUBRIC (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/cardiff-university-brain-research-imaging-centre) and PETIC (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/wales-research-diagnostic-pet-imaging-centre);
  • Innovation for intracranial cell and drug therapy in the BRAIN Unit (https://brain.wales/);
  • Novel approaches to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease drug discovery at MDI (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicines-discovery);
  • Internationally leading Psychiatric research at CNGG and NMHII (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/centre-neuropsychiatric-genetics-genomics/research; https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/neuroscience-mental-health/research);
  • Outstanding neuroinflammation research at SIURI (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/systems-immunity), Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
  • Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

    Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter. The post is full time, open-ended and available immediately. Salary: The successful candidate will be paid at a point to be negotiated on the appropriate Cardiff University Pay Scale based on their qualifications, skills and experience., Competitive SalaryGrade Clinical Grade D6Salary Range Min. Competitive SalaryJob Category Academic - Research, Academic - Teaching & Research, Health, Management & Executive, Medical & Dental

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