Job ID: 117920

Chief Scientific Officer – UK Dementia Research Institute

Position: Professional services - Leadership

Deadline: 15 March 2024

Contract Length: The role is available immediately and funded by the UK DRI until 31 March 2028 in the first instance, with likely extension beyond then dependent on successful quinquennial review.

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

Institution: UK Dementia Research Institute

Department: Central Team (based at UCL)

Description:

B02-06492
Professional Expertise: Professional Services Leadership
Department: School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)
Location: London
Working Pattern: Full time
Salary: See advert text
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Type: Hybrid (20% – 80% on site)
Available For Secondment: No
Closing Date: 15-Mar-2024
FULL APPLICATION

About us

Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our century – currently affecting fifty million people worldwide, projected to triple by 2050, with huge financial, emotional, and social impact on people directly affected, their carers, families, and the community.

Dementia is a symptom of several neurodegenerative disorders, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for about 60% of cases. To date there is no way to prevent or even slow the rate of progression of neurodegeneration – there is still a major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill this gap.

We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of over 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a step change in our understanding of neurodegeneration, and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent dementia. The UK DRI Central Team works across all our UK DRI centres driving a single Institute culture of collaborative and inter-disciplinary research, common policies on hiring, communications, capital investments, finances, and a single tech transfer programme.

About the role

We have an excellent opportunity for an expert science administrator and strategist who relishes the prospect to be part of the continuous development and growth of a world leading Institute.

The Chief Scientific Officer is a key senior executive level appointment with strategic oversight of all UK DRI science and line management of six postdoctoral science managers. You will work closely with the UK DRI Director in the development and delivery of the Institute science strategy, scoping and building external partnerships, internal funding programmes and activities across a broad range of scientific areas, including coordination of scientific platforms, cross-centre themes and training initiatives, and leading on periodic reporting activities to the UK DRI Board.

The role is available immediately and funded by the UK DRI until 31 March 2028 in the first instance, with likely extension beyond then dependent on successful quinquennial review.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 50-60% of time on site.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).

For informal enquiries about the role please contact UK DRI Director, Professor Siddharthan Chandran (siddharthan.chandran@ukdri.ucl.ac.uk).

A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.

About you

You will hold an PhD or equivalent experience in life sciences research and experience in establishing and managing research programmes, and promoting and coordinating scientific collaborations.

The ability to understand and effectively present complex scientific concepts for a variety of audiences, to produce high standard, clear and comprehensive progress reports, and compelling cases for support is also required for this role as is ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects from inception to completion

In addition, you will need to possess effective leadership qualities with outstanding communication, project management, and networking skills.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

What we offer

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

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

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

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+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.