Professor of Health Sciences and Director of Research

University of Kent - Kent and Medway Medical School

Are you passionate about health research? Do you hold current clinical experience within the NHS? Do you have an established record of high quality research publications? If so, we’d welcome an application from you for this exciting role in the Kent and Medway Medical School.

The salary will be benchmarked to the NHS pay scale appropriate to the successful candidate’s clinical discipline and level in clinical practice (Pro rata).

KMMS aims to develop its research portfolio synergistically with Schools, Institutes, and Centres across the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University. Our ambition is to become a dynamic research hub supporting new inquiry in public health, epidemiology, mental health, medical social sciences, healthcare systems, and global health. This will dovetail with the research agendas of both universities, building close relationships with established institutional partners while developing new, high-quality collaborations.

The Professor of Health Science will play a central role in achieving this vision. As KMMS Director of Research, they will provide strategic and academic leadership for research and innovation, ensuring that activities are ambitious, collaborative, and aligned with the priorities of both universities. The postholder will be an established leader in health research, with significant academic, methodological, and/or clinical expertise, an international profile, and strong links with key funding and research bodies. They will work with the KMMS Senior Leadership Team to shape the School’s contribution to national research assessments, strengthen research capacity and culture, and ensure that KMMS research delivers meaningful impact for our communities, the NHS, and wider society.

As Professor of Health Sciences and Director of Research you can expect to be involved in:

• Leading the School’s Research and Innovation strategy, driving collaborative, interdisciplinary activity and positioning the School to secure significant external funding.
• Fostering a vibrant research culture, engaging academic, clinical, undergraduate students, postgraduate, and postdoctoral staff to deliver excellence and inclusivity.
• Overseeing research governance and performance, including KPIs, annual research plans, progress reporting, and representation on key committees.
• Strengthening research capacity and quality, identifying areas of excellence and underperformance, and supporting the development of research groups.

What will you bring to the role?

• A primary medical qualification and full registration with the GMC, with a current licence to practise
• In current clinical practice within NHS and commitment to remain in clinical practice for the duration of the KMMS contract
• Established record of high-quality research publications such as journal contributions, books, etc.
• Experienced in postgraduate or undergraduate teaching activities such as tutoring, professional training or assessment and examinations and developing innovative course material for learning and teaching

What we can offer in return:

As a member of our team, you can expect a friendly, open and collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing. You'll enjoy a range of great staff benefits including:

• 43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)
• Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Corporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden Health

For more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent

We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve – join us in making the world a better place. Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/