Divisional Director of Skills Training and Researcher Development

The Divisional Director of Skills Training and Researcher Development will be a key part of the academic leadership team supporting the Medical Sciences Division’s ambitions to provide an outstanding training and development environment for our researchers. This role offers a significant opportunity to shape and influence the future of researcher development within the Medical Sciences Division, fostering a vibrant and supportive learning environment.

The Divisional Director provides strategic oversight of the strategic development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Division's skills training and researcher development programmes. These programmes are essential to the professional growth and career progression of graduate students and early career researchers in the Medical Sciences Division. The postholder will have a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges surrounding researcher development and careers, and willingness to support this across the disciplinary breadth of the Medical Sciences Division.

The Divisional Director of Skills Training and Researcher Development will work closely with stakeholders across the Division and wider University, including academics, professional services, research staff, as well as external bodies, to ensure the training and development programmes are of the highest quality, meet the evolving needs of researchers and expectations in the sector, and align with the University’s broader research and educational goals. The postholder will collaborate with colleagues in several teams contributing to training and development, including but not limited to the MSD Graduate School, MSD Research Strategy and Funding Team, Researcher Hub, Centre for Teaching and Learning, and Learning and Organisational Development (formerly, People and Organisational Development).   

The Divisional Director of Skills Training and Researcher Development will report to the Associate Head of Division (Education) and will be supported by professional services staff in the Medical Sciences Divisional Office, including the Researcher Development and Training Officer, and Skills Training Coordinator. The Divisional Director will work closely with the Divisional Advocate for Research Staff and the Director of the Medical Sciences Graduate School to ensure that training and development opportunities meet the needs of research staff and graduate students, aligning with divisional and university priorities in this area.

This appointment will be made for 2 years in the first instance. This appointment is open only to internal applicants holding an existing contract of employment with the University of Oxford who are expected to be able to commit the to the role for two years. All applicants will need the support of their Head of Department to take on this role which is expected to be undertaken alongside existing duties.  The time commitment is expected to be 5 hours per week on average, with variation over the year following the annual cycle of activity in this area.  A Responsibility Allowance is payable (equivalent to Schedule V – currently £9,090).

How to Apply

Expressions of interest are sought in the role of Divisional Director of Skills Training and Researcher Development.  It is expected to appoint to this key divisional role at the earliest opportunity after the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, when Professor Afsie Sabokbar, the current Director of Skills Training and Researcher Development, will demit from the role.

The Division would very much welcome interest from staff from groups that are under-represented in the Division's and University's decision-making processes.

To apply, the process is as follows:

1. Formal expressions of interest (EoI) to be made by midday on Monday 20 October, sent by email to Jane Dale, Head of Education Policy and Planning at this email address: jane.dale@medsci.ox.ac.uk
2. Your EoI should include a CV and not more than a two page cover letter explaining what you will bring to this role, your previous experience in this area, what you would hope to take away from holding the role, and where you believe you could most support divisional work in this area.
3. Interviews are expected be held in November.  Panel membership to be confirmed.

If you have any questions about the role (the precise duties, the time commitment required, etc) you are very welcome in the first instance to contact Jane Dale, Head of Education Policy and Planning (jane.dale@medsci.ox.ac.uk )

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Strategic Leadership and Programme Development

• Provide strategic direction to the Medical Sciences Division’s skills training and researcher development programmes for graduate students and research staff, including oversight of the Division’s Skills Training Strategy.
• Collaborate with relevant divisional academic leads to define the divisional priorities for researcher development, training and careers, ensuring alignment with University priorities, funder requirements, and expectations in the sector.
• Provide direction for the work of members of the Skills Training Team, including in reviewing and enhancing the Skills Training Programme, supporting identification of new opportunities, and ensuring the quality and relevance of the programme.
• Actively monitor national and international progress in researcher development and ensure the Division's programmes reflect best practices and agreements (such as the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers).  

Committee duties

• Chair the Divisional Skills Training Committee, advising on the development and implementation of new policies
• Serve as an ex officio member of the Graduate School Committee and the Graduate School Executive Group
• Serve as a member of MSD Research Culture Group
• As required, represent the Medical Sciences Division at University meetings or committees related to researcher development and graduate training, ensuring divisional interests are clearly articulated and promoted. This could include deputising for other academic leads.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Foster relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including University central services (e.g., Researcher Hub, Learning and Organisational Development, Centre for Teaching and Learning, IT Services, Bodleian Libraries, Careers Service).
• Engage with Departments across the Division, building relationships and gathering insights on their needs, priorities, and challenges on researcher development and skills training.
• Identify opportunities for cross-divisional working on graduate training and researcher development, including on policy development, quality enhancement, or strategic planning liaising with relevant academic leads as needed.

Selection Criteria

Essential 

1. An academic or research position in a Department in the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division, an established research profile, and substantial experience of research student supervision
2. Significant experience of shaping or managing programmes related to researcher training, postgraduate training, career development, or similar.
3. Experience of effective committee participation (including chairing) and ability to command the respect of colleagues, build consensus and resolve conflicts 
4. Awareness of and interest in issues affecting researchers at different career stages, including from both clinical and non-clinical disciplines.
5. A collegiate approach to developing strategies and resolving problems 
6. Demonstrable effectiveness in collaborating with professional services colleagues 
7. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities and a clear plan for delivering on the responsibilities of this role alongside others. 

Desirable 

1. Experience of contributing to the strategic development of a Department, Division or University
2. Experience of leading initiatives across departments or other organizational units