Head of Research Development

Founded in 1902, UCL Institute of Education has been shaping policy and helping government, organisations and individuals navigate a changing society for the last 120 years. We embrace collaboration and excellence to create a future that is inclusive and just and have been ranked number one for education every year since 2014 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

We are looking to appoint an exceptional candidate as our interim Head of Research Development.

The Head of Research Development is a senior professional services leadership role within IOE, responsible for leading the development and delivery of faculty-level services that support research strategy, planning, performance, impact, ethics and research culture including the IOE submission to Research Excellence Framework ()

You will work closely with the Vice-Dean Research, Director of Operations, Head of Research Operations, departmental Heads of Research and senior academic and professional services colleagues to strengthen IOE’s research and e, profile, collaborations and impact.

You will lead the Research Development team and be responsible for ensuring that services, processes and initiatives are effective, evidence-informed, inclusive and aligned with IOE, UCL and sector priorities. As a member of the IOE Professional Services Leadership team, you will contribute to faculty-wide planning, operational effectiveness and continuous improvement.

Educated to degree level, or equivalent, you will have significant experience of research support, development or management in higher education or another research-intensive organisation.

In addition, you will have experience of effectively leading, managing and developing individuals or teams, and of successfully building research networks, partnerships and collaborations with professional and academic staff to support research income, profile and impact. You will have experience of, and the skills to, develop and implement strategies, plans or initiatives that support organisational research priorities.

This post is offered on a fixed term basis from 1 st October 2026 – 30th April
2027

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday: 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days (pro rata for part time staff)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme (pro rata for part time staff)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme:
  Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our faculty holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.