The University of Bath is a triple top-10 ranking University in the UK. It is presently the Times and Sunday Times' University of the Year 2023, the second time it has had this accolade in a decade and we are consistently named one of the b universities and research institutions in the world. We have an international reputation for the quality of our research and teaching and for two years running, the University of Bath has been ranked top in England in National Student Survey results. 

About the role:

We now have an outstanding opportunity to join our successful Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences as Head of Psychology. The Department is in a position of great strength, and this is an excellent time for someone to join us and build on this. You will be a proven generous leader with outstanding research and education track records to build on the Department’s strengths. You will lead further success in the Department by creating a diverse, inclusive community all focused on delivering world-leading research and education outcomes.

This appointment is for a permanent Chair in the Department, plus a defined fixed period as Head of Department to be agreed on appointment (usually 3-5 years) . On completion of this fixed period you would move back into your academic role. The successful appointee will receive an additional managerial allowance which recognises the seniority and wide-ranging responsibilities of the role.

About you

We are seeking a highly capable and innovative leader with the vision to provide strategic direction to the Department, allied to a strong national and ideally international standing as a scholar and commitment to maintaining an active research profile. You will need good people-leadership skills to ensure development of a collegiate approach across all functions within the Department and the ability to form key strategic relationships outside the University.

As Head of Department you will determine the strategy for the Department for the coming years and enable the resulting programmes of work. Innovative thinking, talent identification and development and an ability to work across Departmental and Faculty boundaries will all be essential capabilities over the term of this post. Watch our video to learn more about this exceptional opportunity:

What we can offer you:

• a very generous employer contributory pension scheme;
• generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance;
• we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements.;
• an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce; 
• a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities.
• a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

We aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups such as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and disabled people, and value the positive impact that will have on our teams. 

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.

Further information

To apply, please complete our short application form attaching a covering letter outlining your vision for the Department and how your skills will enable you to deliver that vision. You should also include a current CV. 

The selection process will take place in March 2023 and will include a presentation to members of the Department and a panel interview.

For informal enquiries about the post please contact: Deborah Wilson, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (ecsdw@bath.ac.uk), Sarah Halligan, Deputy Head of Department (slh54@bath.ac.uk) or Mitch Callan, Professor, Department of Psychology (mjc213@bath.ac.uk)

Find out more about the department and the position in our interactive brochure below:

Head of Department, Psychology

Further details:

• Brochure