Head of the Medical Sciences Division

UK date and time: 13-September-2026 08:10

INTERNAL: THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE COLLEGIATE UNIVERSITY ONLY

We are inviting applications for the Headship of the Medical Sciences Division, available from 1 October 2027. This is an exciting opportunity for a distinguished biomedical or clinical scientist to make a major contribution to the success of an internationally leading centre of excellence for biomedical and clinical research and teaching.

The priority for the Head of Division will be to provide exceptional academic leadership to the Division’s departments and the vision to take forward the Division’s strategic agenda for education, research, innovation and financial sustainability within the Division’s highly consensual framework, making an effective contribution to governance and decision-making at University level.

You will be a member of the Vice Chancellor’s senior leadership team and a key advocate and champion – within Oxford and on the (inter) national stage – for the Medical Sciences Division and its departments. You will work to enhance its international reputation for research and teaching, with a particular focus on the development of interdisciplinary activity and innovation and the fostering of effective relationships with external partners in support of the Division’s academic mission.

You will provide academic and strategic leadership within the Division, including finances, educational policy, academic personnel matters and capital planning. You will chair the Medical Sciences Divisional Board and act as line manager for the Heads of Department within the Division.

The Head is currently directly supported by a Deputy Head of Division, four Associate Heads of Division, and the Divisional Registrar and Chief Operating Officer. This is a full-time leadership position, nevertheless you will be encouraged to continue your own programme of research and scholarly activities, and will have scope to maintain your academic interests for up to 20 per cent of your time.

You will be a proven leader with the ability and academic distinction required to gain and retain the confidence of the Division as a whole, across the range of subject areas and of academic and managerial issues. You will be able to represent the Division in a positive and effective way within the collegiate University and, by extension, to represent the University externally, to the NHS, research councils, industry, government and other bodies, including potential donors.

You will have strong diplomatic skills and good judgement, with the ability to influence and persuade and to manage multiple stakeholder groups, and the sensitivity to deal with challenging and confidential issues related to people and organisational relationships.

The full job description including the key responsibilities and selection criteria is available in the Further Particulars document. Informal enquiries should be directed to Chris Price (Divisional Registrar), on  .

The closing date for applications is 12:00 on Monday 5 October
, and interviews are expected to be held on Friday 30 October
.