Role description


Role purpose

Research student working in lab

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding academic with an excellent track record and ongoing programme of research in liver disease. The successful applicant will be a talented and positive individual, knowledgeable and aware of current research, who will develop a compelling, inspirational and achievable vision, building on the existing relations between the IoH, King’s and KCH, thus strengthening translational research.

In addition to their own successful research programme, the Director is responsible for the scientific and academic leadership of the IoH, developing a research strategy that is aligned to the mission of its main funding body, the Foundation for Liver Research, and the research and clinical priorities of KCH and King’s in liver disease. The IoH is an independently funded and managed research centre that benefits from substantial external support, while its partnership with KCH and King’s enables the prosecution of world-class research, education, and clinical practice to improve patient health.

The primary purpose of the Director of the IoH is the effective leadership, governance and management of the IoH so as to establish a centre of international academic excellence working effectively with partners to achieve this. As a Professor of Hepatology, the role holder will also undertake academic duties expected at this level.

Should the successful candidate be medically qualified an honorary consultant contract at KCH will be offered.

Key Areas/Responsibilities


1. Leadership and Strategic Direction

• To develop and encourage a shared vision for the future direction, goals and research priorities of the IoH, aligned to the Foundation’s mission and vision, the commitment to research excellence of King’s in the context of the KCH Liver Service and wider clinical priorities of liver disease research nationally and internationally;
• To maintain and enhance the academic reputation of the IoH and university;
• To work with the scientific staff of the IoH, in addition to collaborators at King’s and KCH, to foster the development of outstanding research, research training and academic programmes
• To represent the IoH’s interests in the affiliated organisations, professional societies, industry and government contexts;
• To initiate, maintain and strengthen links between the IoH and other academic units and relevant professional and industry bodies and community.
• To prepare and implement the IoH’s strategic and operational plans and oversee delivery of strategic direction and goals;
• To prepare an annual report of progress and outputs in research, engagement and education;
• To implement quality assurance and improvement procedures to enhance all aspects of the IoH’s activities, including the postgraduate student experience;
• To manage, administer and foster excellence in the IoH’s research, engagement and teaching activities;
• To monitor and evaluate the IoH’s research, engagement and teaching activities in relation to comparable units both within and outside the university sector.


2. Academic Delivery

• To develop an internationally competitive research programme in a relevant field that draws upon the existing strengths within the Department of Inflammation Biology, the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine at King’s College London and the IoH, harnessing collaborative and interdisciplinary potential.
• To contribute to King’s education programmes as appropriate;
• To establish and maintain communication with appropriate committees, and networks within the affiliated organisations;
• To obtain external funding from various sources as research councils, Charities, NIHR, Industry and others, to support cutting-edge internationally renowned research programmes.

3. People Management & Culture

• To design and implement suitable management structures for the IoH;
• To ensure that the IoH complies with local policies and meets its legal and statutory obligations; including employment, health and safety, financial procedures and regulations;
• To take responsibility for performance delivery and management of all staff in the IoH;
• To play the lead role in the recruitment, selection and induction of senior staff, appointing staff (and potential leaders) of the highest calibre;
• To facilitate and promote effective communication and positive morale within the IoH and communicate directly with all staff on a regular basis;
• To distribute administrative and research management duties in an equitable manner, taking into account where possible the wishes and agreed career development plans of individual staff members within the context of the strategic plan for the IoH;
• To monitor the performance of allocated duties, and to take responsibility for appraisal, performance management and career development of IoH staff;
• To manage and, as far as possible, resolve conflicts and grievances within the IoH; taking advice from Human Resources and using appropriate procedures;
• Actively participate in ensuring a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion within the Department, School, and university, alongside that of the IoH;
• Act as a role-model, mentor, and advisor to colleagues seeking to develop their academic careers and/or clinical research in the field;
• Engage with departmental and School executive activity across administration, education, research and engagement activities, representing the Department/School at Faculty/College level where appropriate.

4. Financial and Infrastructure Management

In conjunction with the CEO of the Foundation for Liver Research/Head of Administration of the IoH:
• To prepare the IoH budget and monitor expenditure and income against budget;
• To engage in appropriate budget forecasting and staffing and infrastructure planning;
• To manage and allocate physical resources to ensure a safe and good quality of environment for staff and students;
• To maximise opportunities for generating income from appropriate sources outside the IoH;
• Where appropriate, to pursue opportunities to commercialise research/teaching outcomes and intellectual, property.
• To lead the annual review of current research with the potential for commercialisation and apportionment of that expenditure to the FLR trading subsidiary, Liver Research & Development, as the basis of the annual R&D claim

5. Key Working Relationships

• Board of Trustees, the Foundation for Liver Research
• Partnership Oversight Board, the Board established to oversee the performance of the IoH Director
• Academic and administrative leadership of the School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences (SIMS), Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine (FoLSM), King’s College London
• Senior Management Team of the Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology
• Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College London
• Clinical Liver Service, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust