Head of Department – CBS at The Royal Veterinary College, University of London

Founded in 1791, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the longest-established veterinary school in the English-speaking world and a member institution of the University of London. In April 2023, the RVC was granted full University status by His Majesty the King.

The RVC offers outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biomedical sciences to a talented and vibrant community of 2,500 students from more than 70 countries across the world, as well as CPD programmes in veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing.  Ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World Rankings by subject for the last four years, the RVC is one of the few veterinary schools internationally whose professional programmes are accredited in the US, Canada, EU, Australasia and South Africa.

We are seeking to appoint a new inspirational leader as Head of Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBS). The CBS Department is responsible for teaching and research in basic science disciplines including Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Genetics which are integrated into systems-based modules. The focus of the Department is advancing understanding of animal biology from the molecular level to the whole animal level through comparative biomedical research.  The diverse research interests, which feed into the RVC’s wider research themes, include longstanding international strengths in a number of areas including Biomechanics, Musculoskeletal biology, Cardiovascular and Renal biology, Neurobiology, Reproduction and Development and Pharmacology.  Collaboration with clinical colleagues is encouraged to facilitate the use of veterinary clinical patients as models of human disease, enabling basic research to advance both veterinary and human medical practice.

The Head of Department will lead the academic and non-academic members of staff with a commitment to deliver the University’s mission. This position of leadership will have responsibility for colleagues in the department delivering its teaching and research programmes, and its interaction with major stakeholders.

A major part of the role will be to ensure that the department retains a strong identity and purpose that embraces the diverse interests of those working in comparative biomedical research and that new academics achieve their potential. Flexibility in relation to any new structures developed by the University as part of university status will also be important.

Working to the strategic direction of the Vice Principals, the Head of Department will take an active role in promoting the University’s activities, locally, nationally, and internationally. The Head of Department will have line management responsibility for academics and non-academics in the department, as appropriate, and responsibility for non-pay budgets as directed.

Responsible for delegated budget as appropriate, the Head of Department will be part of the College Executive Committee. The position will be for a 4 year-term with potential to extend, subject to performance and mutual agreement. 

Likely to have worked at a professorial level for several years, we are looking for applicants with a track record in leadership at a senior level with substantial personal academic record of achievement in a research active biomedical environment, together with the intellectual and professional standing required to command respect within the university community. Applicants will have an open, confident and convincing communication style with highly developed personal skills in relating to and inspiring colleagues at all levels and exceptional levels of personal drive and resilience.

We offer a generous reward package and benefits including:

• Salary aligned to RVC senior academic career paths + responsibility allowance  
• Competitive and attractive pension package
• Generous 30 days annual leave (plus 3 concessionary days and bank holidays)
• Access to free in-house CPD and funded external CPD
• A range of family friendly policies, including adoption, maternity and paternity pay and leave
• On site café and restaurant 
• Free membership to the newly built Fitness and Wellbeing Centre located on site (gym, badminton, climbing wall, Zumba, yoga and Pilates classes included)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free mini-bus service to and from Potters Bar station and Hawkshead Campus

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact:

the current CBS Head of Department, Caroline Wheeler-Jones, cwheeler@rvc.ac.uk or

Deputy Principal, Professor David Church, if they wish to discuss the role, at dchurch@rvc.ac.uk

We particularly encourage and welcome female applicants, applicants with a disability, and applicants from a Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) background as we are committed to increasing our representation within these groups who are currently under- represented at senior levels within the RVC.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.