Job Description

The Department of Psychology is a strong academic department with challenging teaching programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and excellent research. At undergraduate level, the Department delivers innovative research-informed Psychology programmes for Single and Combined Honours students. Both programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). At postgraduate level, the Department offers an MSc Psychology as a conversion course with BPS accreditation. The department has a flagship Masters programme, which reflects the increasing strength of Department’s research focus on Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuropsychology. Prominent research topics are neuro-developmental aspects in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), face processing, social neuroscience, colour perception, the interaction between perception and motor control, meta memory, the role of working memory in cognitive development, the development of expertise, cognitive ageing, numerical cognition, interactions between emotion and cognition and the impact of addictive substances on perception, attention and memory. Another main strand of research in the Department is the field of Political Psychology. The research in this area follows a number of themes such as moral development, the impact of political violence on children, adolescents and adults, peace building and challenging violence. 

The University has recently made a significant investment in a new state of the art science building, which features specialist laboratory spaces dedicated to nutrition, genomics, biological science, robotics, and psychology, along with laboratories and space for sport and exercise science. The psychology labs are equipped with modern and high-level research facilities, which include cognitive, and neuro-behaviour suites such as an eye-tracker (Eyelink 1000/2000), EEG (BioSemi) and an fNIRS system; and a colour vision lab. The building also includes space for research synergies with sports psychology, health sciences, and computer science, robotics and mathematics areas. 

We are looking for a candidate with an outstanding reputation to inspire, motivate and lead colleagues in their research and teaching. The appointed candidate will have an excellent research record at an international level, a track record of research funding and be able to lead the further development of a strong research culture within the Faculty, which will include guiding and promoting the research of others. 

The appointee is expected to work with the Dean and other senior colleagues in the Faculty of Science to determine and implement strategic development of the subject. We would welcome applicants with experience to develop and enhance subject provision at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The appointee will also be expected to work with the rest of the Faculty on developing external links through curriculum, enterprise activity, widening participation activities and summer schools. 

Our new colleague will have a vision for the further development of the Psychology Department and will be flexible and committed to working as part of the wider Faculty of Science.  He or she will be a good team leader with experience of academic leadership. 

The person appointed to this post will need to have an academic profile appropriate to hold the title of Professor at the University.  The appointee will have an earned doctorate and in all cases be demonstrably research active at the highest level (for example by having been included in the 2014 Research Assessment Exercise, UK or equivalent with at least 3* and some 4* work).  We are particularly looking for a candidate with research expertise in areas of Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience that complement the existing research focus in the department and with an established track record of attracting research funding.  It is a general requirement at Hope that both in terms of the quantity and quality of their work Professors can be entered into the forthcoming Research Excellence Framework with the reasonable expectation that their outputs would be at the 3* level at least with clear evidence of some 4* work (using the 2014 REF descriptors). A key responsibility of the person appointed will be to lead the Department to achieve further excellence and success in the forthcoming REF exercise. 

In sum, Liverpool Hope is looking for a good team player who will make an active contribution to the life of the University in general and, in this case, to the Psychology Team in particular.  We are looking for persons who enjoy interacting with students and staff, are willing to assist others in their research and pedagogic development and will in addition carry out their own high-quality research.  In return, Hope is able to offer a number of research-related privileges, including generous funding for conference participation.

KEY DUTIES OF POST^[1]

The academic Role Profile for Professor gives further and precise guidance regarding the level and type of activity required at that grade at Hope.  Below is a broad indication of typical key duties.  The document relating to the duties of a Head of Department outlines the duties expected of those in that particular role. 

The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate the ability to: 

• be responsible and accountable for setting and advancing the academic strategy of the Psychology department in line with Faculty and University strategic plans and direction;
• be an active member of the Faculty and University Board and contribute to the overall leadership and management of the Faculty and University. It is expected that Head of the Psychology Department will carry functional responsibility for specific agreed cross-Faculty areas;
• lead the development of research at subject level, including facilitating increased access to research opportunities for academic staff in the subject;
• conduct research at an international level;
• make a strong contribution to teaching at all levels;
• encourage publication of research by other members of staff;
• liaise effectively with external bodies, such as accrediting bodies, research organisations and funding councils, and lead on the acquisition of external funding grants;
• provide strong personal leadership and make a significant contribution to research within areas of expertise and in the Faculty;
• establish/maintain links with the wider regional, national and international subject community; and
• supervise research students and take a leading role in the further development of the research degree programme. 

For further details relating to the Faculty of Science at Hope and to the Psychology Department in particular please contact:

Professor Atulya Nagar

Dean of Faculty of Science

Liverpool Hope University

Tel: 0151 291 3930

nagara@hope.ac.uk