UNIVRSITY OF LINCOLN JOB DSCRIPTION JOB TITL DPARTMNT LOCATION Director of the Lincoln Institute of Agri-food Technology Lincoln Institute of Agri-food Technology, College of Science Brayford Campus, Lincoln JOB NUMBR COS252 GRAD SMG2 DAT October 2015 RPORTS TO Head of College of Science CONTXT The College of Science at the University of Lincoln is rapidly developing, having established three new Schools and (jointly with the College of Social Science) a new Institute in the last three years. It has a national reputation for the activity of its National Centre for Food Manufacturing, and has recently begun to establish research in agri-robotics and other areas. The Lincoln Institute of Agri-food Technology (LIAT) is a newly formed interdisciplinary institute within the College of Science. Its purpose is to foster agri-food technology as a major thematic strength of the University, with the medium- to long-term aim that the University of Lincoln will become a nationally and internationally recognised centre of excellence in agri-food. As such it plays a critical role in the College of Science s strategic plan for research development. The Institute will have its own staff and facilities, but also affiliated research centres from across the College of Science, and in particular from ngineering and Computer Science (agrirobotics, vision and control systems), Life Sciences and Chemistry (biotechnology, animal behaviour, ecology, organic chemistry), and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing. The Institute s primary focus will be on research, consultancy and external educational activity, although the growth of relevant academic programmes in collaboration with academic schools is a longer-term possibility. The Institute will have access to facilities at three sites: at the Joseph Banks Laboratories, main Lincoln campus (scientific laboratories), at Holbeach (National Centre for Food Manufacturing, industrial consultancy, research and training), and Riseholme Park, Lincoln (field centre, farm, training). It is anticipated that significant external funding will be secured over the medium term to support the development of LIAT, including its specialist facilities and staffing. Page 1 of 7
JOB PURPOS The Founding Director of LIAT will lead the development of the Institute, from start-up to internationally recognised centre of excellence. Key activities will include: 1. Develop, monitor and deliver on the Institute strategic development plan; 2. Chair the LIAT Board, and develop interdisciplinary links with the College and University; 3. Secure external funding for research, educational and enterprise activities and capital investment; 4. Develop the Institute s facilities, including the field station and farm; 5. Build external links with the agri-food community, including the Industrial Steering Board; 6. Contribute to the development of the relevant academic taught portfolio, as part of the Institute, through related Schools, or jointly, as appropriate; 7. stablish an internationally leading reputation and research profile. The Institute will need to establish a strong reputation based on specialization in key areas of research. Its overall strategy will align with the concept of optimizing food production efficiency by integrated management of the farm to fork life cycle, responding to growing vertical integration of the food supply chain. The strategy will evolve over time, but likely initial areas of specialization include: agri-robotics, agronomy and soil science, sustainable energy, biofeedstocks for organic chemistry, animal behaviour and optimized food manufacturing. Page 2 of 7
KY RSPONSIBILITIS Strategic Leadership Provide strategic leadership of the Institute during the period of initial growth and beyond, taking responsibility for setting and advancing its strategic direction, in collaboration with the Head of the College of Science. Develop and regularly review the strategic plan. stablish an effective structure for the Institute, including both internal staffing and relationship management across the University. Grow income streams, including research, innovation, consultancy and educational. Secure external strategic capital investment to develop the Institute s physical and human resources. In collaboration with others, establish the role of the Institute in the University s research strategy, including performance in the Research xcellence Framework. Academic Leadership Develop the agri-food technology research culture of the School, particularly in interdisciplinary collaboration across the College. Build on the current research strengths to establish a strong stream of internationally competitive interdisciplinary research, liaise with Heads of Schools to establish strategic alignment of staff and research centres. Lead on the development of external income generation, including: external research income, consultancy and other third stream activity, and non-hfc funded educational activities. Develop educational programmes, including short course and other external education provision to industry. In conjunction with the academic Schools, identify, help to develop and contribute to the provision of relevant programmes delivered jointly, or principally by the Institute, as appropriate. Contribute to research in an appropriate subject area, including research publications and external research income generation. People Leadership and Management Provide direct line management for staff of the Institute. nsure effective practices for staff recruitment, induction, management and development are in place and are used effectively, including: planned recruitment campaigns, probation, appraisal schemes, research sabbaticals and mentoring. nsure full optimisation of staff in the School, including: the effective allocation of duties, performance management, and the optimum deployment of staff, including the appropriate balance of permanent, contracted and associated staff. Resource Management Manage the Institute s budget; ensure that equipment and facilities are appropriate and well-maintained. nsure compliance with Health and Safety and other relevant legislation and regulations. Page 3 of 7
Oversee the development and maintenance of the field station and other LIAT assets. Internal and xternal Profile nsure the Institute is represented externally on appropriate agencies, professional bodies and with collaborators, and develop and maintain a national and international profile. Chair the Industrial Steering Board, ensuring representation of national and regional stakeholders, and alignment of the Institute s business with stakeholder requirements. Serve as a member of College committees as required, coordinate LIAT activities with affiliated academic Schools, and maintain strong working relationships with key academic leads including Heads of School. In addition to the above, undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post. Page 4 of 7
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Key Outcomes Operational efficiency and efficacy of the Institute Continued and sustained development of internationally-competitive research activity in the Institute, and growth of aligned research across the College Achievement of business plan income targets High morale of institute staff, and recruitment of high-calibre staff Aligned programme portfolio development fficient management of externally funded research projects Development of Institute facilities driven by external capital funding To establish a national and in due course international reputation as a centre of excellence in agri-food technology Key working relationships/networks Internal xternal Head of the College of Science Staff in the Institute Members of the College of Science Management Team Key academic leads in affiliated research centres Research and nterprise Office Finance Department Deputy Vice Chancellor Research Government agencies, regional strategy and funding bodies Agri-food stakeholders, businesses Page 5 of 7
UNIVRSITY OF LINCOLN PRSON SPCIFICATION JOB TITL Director of Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology JOB NUMBR Selection Criteria ssential () or Desirable (D) Where videnced Application (A) Interview (I) Presentation (P) References (R) Qualifications: First degree or equivalent A PhD or the equivalent in published outputs A xperience: Leadership and management experience (ideally in higher education) A,I xperience of and ability to build effective collaborative working relationships with industry, including funded A,I projects xperience of publishing high quality research A Broad H teaching experience D A xperience of PhD supervision D A xperience of obtaining substantial funding for research projects xperience of working in internationally competitive research environment A xperience of programme portfolio development D A xperience of obtaining government funding for industrial support Skills and Knowledge: Outstanding communication skills (written and oral) A,I Budget management skills A,I Ability to think strategically, and to formulate and communicate effective strategies for developing the School A,I Knowledge of the Research xcellence Framework D I Ability to build good working relationships with key colleagues I in the School, College and elsewhere in the University ffective influencing and negotiating skills at all levels I Organisational ability I D A A Page 6 of 7
Ability to lead and motivate others effectively I Competencies and Personal Attributes: Business Requirements: Ability and willingness to travel on University business, including overseas ssential Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Desirable Requirements are those which would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements. I Author AH HRBA AT Page 7 of 7