Overview
Faculty/Directorate: Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care & Education. School/Function: School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry. Contract type: Permanent. Location of vacancy: Penrhyn Road. Actual hours: 37. Posted Date: 24/03/2026. Closing Date: 20/04/2026. Ref No: 4797.
Documents: Candidate Pack (PDF, 10722.76kb); Job Description (PDF, 440.5kb).
The Role
Kingston University is passionate about the power of a university education to transform lives. We strive for staff and students to be sought-after for their academic achievements and their ability to shape society and contribute to the economy. We are an inclusive university, and our ambitious Town House Strategy drives our mission to enhance students' life chances, support the ambitions of staff and strengthen the university's impact on our locality, industry, policy and associated professions to enable a sustainable future—socially, economically and environmentally. With an overall Gold Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rating, we are recognised for our commitment to high-quality teaching, outstanding student experience and successful degree outcomes.
The Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education (HSSCE) is seeking to appoint a new Head of the Department of Pharmacy. The University's Town House Strategy has set an ambitious growth target in student recruitment for the next three academic years. HSSCE is well positioned to contribute effectively to this target. We look forward to hearing from individuals with a successful track record of student recruitment within the higher education sector and particularly in Pharmacy.
The post of Head of the Department of Pharmacy is an opportunity to lead a remarkable academic team, based on the main campus of the University on Penrhyn Road. With exceptional laboratory and technical facilities, there is significant scope for the post-holder to build further on the Department's strong foundations.
The Person
We are seeking an accomplished professional with a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacy profession, its operational landscape, and effective liaison with external bodies. The ideal candidate will bring experience of working with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or within a GPhC-regulated environment, alongside current GPhC registration. Demonstrable leadership, substantial line-management experience in higher education, and a strong record of providing vision and strategic direction are essential. You will have extensive experience in teaching Pharmacy at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as a proven background in curriculum development and validation. Experience as an MPharm Course Director and a strong track record of negotiating with senior stakeholders are highly desirable. Applicants must also meet the University's criteria for appointment at Associate Professor or Professor level.
Candidates should have a proven track record in successful leadership and management of an academic community in an interdisciplinary environment, with a substantial commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching relevant to Pharmacy. They will have a demonstrable record of collaborative working with internal and external bodies and will provide inspirational leadership to a diverse and large body of academic staff providing one of the largest courses within the University. The Department obtained a full six-year accreditation in the latest reaccreditation and has an enviable success rate in national pre-registration exams.
The Head of Department will provide strategic and operational leadership, champion excellence in learning and teaching, support research and knowledge exchange, and foster a collegiate and inclusive culture. The post sits within the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy & Chemistry, offering opportunities for interdisciplinary work; the appointee is expected to embrace this. The Head of Department will work closely with the Head of School and colleagues across the School and Faculty to strengthen the portfolio, maintain and develop PSRB relationships and deepen engagement with industry partners. Interdisciplinary collaboration is an important feature of our School, and we expect the successful candidate to embrace and extend this approach.
Taught courses in the Department include MPharm (including MPharm with preparatory year and MPharm with Biopharmaceutics) and a postgraduate taught course (MSc in Advanced Pharmaceutics and Public Health). The Department also has a thriving research culture active in producing world-leading research supported by national and international funding bodies and industry.
The successful candidate would be expected to contribute to the relevant Unit of Assessment output in the forthcoming REF, both as journal outputs at 3*/4* REF level and/or impact case studies.
The Faculty
There are few faculties across the UK university landscape as varied in scope as the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education (HSSCE). We teach and research across a wide range of subjects, allowing for cross-discipline innovation and creativity. Our lecturers are experts—working at the forefront of their fields and actively engaged in research so they can bring advanced knowledge to their teaching. For future pharmacists, the learning experience combines real-life experiences with strong theory from a TEF-Gold rated university. This creates a truly vibrant, exciting environment in one of the largest and most diverse Health Care/Sciences faculties in the sector.
The School
The School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy & Chemistry at Kingston University is where innovation meets education on the cutting edge. Our School comprises four dynamic departments: two Life Sciences departments, the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Pharmacy. Collaboration is integral to the learning experience. The School is a diverse and inclusive environment catering for the specific needs of our students.
Further information
This is a full-time, permanent position with a starting salary from £60,996 (Associate Professor) to £73,931 (Professor) per annum, plus a £6,000 per annum Head of Department supplement. The Head of Department role is a 4-year term, reverting to Associate Professor/Professor substantive as appropriate, or continuing for a second term as Head of Department subject to academic management framework rules.
The closing date for applications is Monday 20 April 2026 (midnight). Interviews will be held at Penrhyn Road campus on Friday 22 May 2026.
For further details, please contact Professor Mehmet Dorak, Head of School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy & Chemistry. Please apply by clicking the 'apply' button and follow the instructions. Applications should consist of a concise covering letter (ideally no longer than two pages), an up-to-date curriculum vitae, and names and contact details of three referees (referees will only be approached at the final stage and only with your express permission). If the interview date poses a problem, please let us know at the time of application.
Bring your true self, expertise, and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities. We are a place-based organisation, proud of our location in Kingston. Staff are expected to be on campus for the majority of their working week. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.
To apply, click on 'Apply Now'. If you need an alternative format for accessibility, please email jobs@kingston.ac.uk or call the HR Shared Services team on 020 8417 3118.
#J-18808-Ljbffr