Head of School - School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, transforming lives and delivering world-changing impact for almost 600 years.
We are proud of being nationally and internationally recognised:
- World’s top 100 universities (QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education)
- UK top 25 University (The Guardian University Guide)
- Top 30 universities in the world for sustainability (QS and THE)
With a unique history and reputation for excellence, Glasgow remains firmly focused on the future, investing in infrastructure and people to be the home of the world changers of today and tomorrow. As such, there has never been a better time to join the University.
The University of Glasgow is now sezeking an innovative, forward-thinking leader to join the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences as Professor and Head of the School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing – a world top 100 school.
The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing is renowned for pioneering teaching methods and superb facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate study. The School is also recognised for innovative and distinctive basic science, translational and clinical research programmes in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and healthcare based on interdisciplinary and a multiprofessional approach.
Alongside driving the success of the School across all areas of its mission, including high quality student experience and knowledge exchange, the post-holder will play a key role in the College Management Group, contributing to the overall leadership of the College and working with colleagues to drive excellence in teaching and research across the wider University.
The post-holder will bring ambition, a track record of delivery and of leading strategic change in a complex, teaching led environment through a collegiate and inclusive leadership style.
Thank you for your interest in the University of Glasgow; we look forward to hearing from you.
The College of Medicine, Veterinary & Life Sciences
The College is organised into eight Schools, each focused on key strategic research and teaching themes, and supported by College Services. Our research generates income of around £120m per annum and is focused on improving the health and quality of life of humans and animals across the globe.
Our Schools deliver internationally recognised research-led undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes and build upon the diversity of our College's extensive research activity, providing our students with a rich stimulating learning environment which prepares them for a wide variety of careers ranging from clinical medicine and veterinary medicine to biological and environmental science.
The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences is home to over 2,900 staff and over 8,600 students and has a turnover of around £300m per annum. We cultivate a wide range of strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders.
We are a curiosity driven, intellectually stimulating and enterprising academic community. Our vision is to positively impact the major challenges that face our society in Scotland, the UK and globally. Our research employs state-of-the-art technology and multi-disciplinary approaches to interrogate the critical questions of our time. We are committed to delivering outstanding education to future world changing students, informed by this rich research culture. Our College seeks to be inclusive and diverse, a place where staff and students alike will reach their potential, accomplished within a sustainable, future-focused culture.
The Schools
The College of Medicine, Veterinary & Life Sciences is home to eight Schools renowned for their world-leading research and a wide range of internationally recognised research-led undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes:
School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
School of Cancer Sciences
School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
School of Health & Wellbeing
School of Infection & Immunity
School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
School of Molecular Biosciences
School of Psychology & Neuroscience
About the School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing is renowned for pioneering teaching methods and superb facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate study. It has a long history of teaching excellence and accomplishment:
- The Times University Guide (2025): Ranked 3rd in the UK for Medicine
- The Times University Guide (2025): Ranked 1st in the UK for Nursing
- The Times University Guide (2025): Ranked 2nd in the UK for Dentistry
The School is home to 2,700 undergraduate students, 330 postgraduate taught students, 110 postgraduate research students and 330 post registration nursing students (jointly with the Singapore Institute of Technology). We have around 300 members of staff and 2,300+ honorary staff engaged in teaching, scholarship and research.
The dimensions of the School encompasses the Undergraduate Medical School, the Dental School and the Nursing, Midwifery & Health Care School. We also have specialist research areas as well as the Anatomy Facility and the department of Forensic Medicine.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
The School has several dedicated EDI leads as well as, an active and diverse Athena SWAN working group, and we are currently in the process of renewing our Athena Swan Silver Award.
Teaching highlights
The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing offers a rich and rigorous teaching programme spanning undergraduate and postgraduate levels, anchored in world-leading health professional training.
Our students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, hands-on teaching and research opportunities and a supportive academic community dedicated to nurturing curiosity and developing expertise at all levels.
Overall, our teaching is designed to develop subject-specific knowledge suitable for health professions but also a wide range of transferable skills, which will equip graduates for successful careers in health, research, academia, industry and beyond.
Undergraduate Studies
Medicine
The Undergraduate Medical School is one of the largest in the United Kingdom and has a unique brand that reflects the exposure of medical undergraduates to research leaders and teachers in clinical and basic science. Our students have the opportunity to experience a diverse mixture of clinical attachments that range from National Tertiary Referral services to single-handed rural General Practice. Our Medical Graduates are highly regarded for the breadth of their undergraduate experience and ability. The City of Glasgow and surrounding West of Scotland provide an environment with unrivalled and diverse opportunities for medical training. We aspire to train medical graduates who are highly sought after in every branch of medicine; equipped for postgraduate training in the UK and in other healthcare systems; and who are equipped for a career in Medicine in the 21st Century.
Dentistry
Established in 1879, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School delivers a modern, integrated Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme over five years. The second largest Dental School in the UK, we provide postgraduate research opportunities and, in addition, taught postgraduate programmes in a range of subjects.
The Dental School benefits from comprehensive modern facilities for patient care, student clinical practice, and training, and for education and research in dental and oral diseases and disorders.
Nursing
The Nursing & Health Care School is committed to evidence-based practice and research that enhances patient care and service delivery and which underpins our teaching. Our research activity is multi-professional, patient-centred, and collaborative, and sits mainly within the themes of Improving Health, Wellbeing and Care and Education.
We provide access to excellent facilities and a wide range of world-renowned experts in their subjects. A strong science component, integrated with caring and leadership skills and strongly underpinned by research is a unique feature of our programme. We have excellent relationships with clinical staff across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde where students have clinical placements. Our highly valued graduates have excellent employment prospects.
Anatomy
The University has developed state-of-the-art anatomy facilities where students learn through human cadaveric material in spaces equipped with modern audiovisual equipment. Students also benefit from teaching resources developed in-house using our 3D scanner and printer, as well as interactive laboratory-based digital resources developed by our own staff and students.
Postgraduate Studies
At postgraduate level, the School offers a broad range of taught master’s degrees (MSc). This includes advanced lecture courses, specialist modules and a substantial research project undertaken in one of the School’s cutting-edge research groups:
Clinical Trials [MSc/PgDip/PgCert]
Health Care, Advanced Practice in [MSc(MedSci)]
Health Services Management [MSc/PgDip/PgCert]
Healthcare Chaplaincy [PgCert]
Lymphoedema Management, Advanced [PgCert: Blended learning]
Medical Genetics & Genomics [MSc(MedSci)]
Medical Visualisation & Human Anatomy [MSc]
Nursing Science, Advanced [MSc]
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery [MSc(DentSci)]
The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing has over 110 postgraduate researchers and is a vibrant, inspiring environment for ambitious scientists ready to take the next step in their journey. There are opportunities for both clinical (MD/PhD/MSc) and non-clinical (PhD/MSc) research in a number of areas, supervised by subject specific experts. We aim to facilitate interdisciplinary research in a number of themed areas of basic science, translational and clinical research programmes including:
The School combines innovative facilities with world-leading expertise to deliver an outstanding postgraduate experience. We provide expert supervision, professional development training, and opportunities to present research on the world stage.
Research Highlights
The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing is the largest of the Schools that reside in the College of Medicine, Veterinary & Life Sciences.
It is recognised within the University and externally for its innovative and distinctive research programmes in medicine, dentistry, nursing and healthcare based on impactful, clinically relevant studies characterised by interdisciplinarity and a multiprofessional approach.
We have one of the largest and most prestigious medical schools in Europe with over 110 postgraduate research students involved in a wide range of research subject areas including human nutrition, paediatric endocrinology, cancer biomarkers as well research in medical education and e-learning.
The interface with NHS partners is critical to our research strategy and comprises a key element for translating basic science discoveries into clinical practice with clear societal benefits.
The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing recognised for the outstanding quality, rigour, and real-world application of its research.
Research Impact
Key Examples of Impact:
- Childsmile Programme (Dentistry): Our research led to Childsmile, a community-based programme that significantly reduced dental decay in Scottish children, especially from deprived backgrounds, leading to its formal integration into national child health services.
- Colorectal Cancer Treatment (Medicine): The SCOT trial, led by the University, proved that shorter chemotherapy (three months versus six months) is as effective, reducing side effects and saving significant NHS costs, influencing global guidelines.
- Occupational Therapy (Nursing/Allied Health): Research on "meaningful occupation" led to changes in clinical guidelines for the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and improved care in mental health settings.
- Public Health & Fluoride (Dentistry): Research informed revised WHO guidelines for monitoring tooth decay and led to recommendations for increased fluoride in UK school milk, improving child dental health.
Role Description
The Head of School reports to the Vice Principal/Head of College and performs a pivotal and instrumental academic leadership role in the University’s organisational structure. They carry significant accountability for providing a coherent academic vision and direction for the School, through the Vice Principal/Head of College, to the Principal and ultimately the University Court.
Schools are key organisational units, each led by an appointed Head of School with accountability for the strategic leadership and development of the subject disciplines within the School. The Head of School is financially accountable and the recognised budget holder for their respective School, and a full member of the College Management Group. The Head of School is responsible for determining and successfully delivering the strategic direction of the academic disciplines within its remit aligned with the strategic imperatives of the College supporting the School’s research and knowledge transfer; learning, teaching & scholarship and internationalisation ambitions; and contributing to the success of the University. This role embodies responsibility for academic staff and students in the School.
Purpose
- Champion the provision of high-quality teaching, research and scholarly activities within the School ensuring a stimulating, collegial and well-managed environment. The post holder will work in partnership with a School Executive.
- Contribute to the delivery of the College’s strategy including promoting excellence in the School’s contribution to the University’s Research & Knowledge Exchange, Learning & Teaching and Internationalisation strategies.
- Be accountable for ensuring the overall delivery of the student experience.
- Be accountable for the effective governance and leadership of the school including, adherence to academic, research and relevant policy related principles.
- Lead, develop and motivate a high performing School and its staff, engendering a culture of excellence, accountability and transparency, ensuring alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan.
- Be responsible for the effective and efficient use of allocated resources to maximise the School’s contribution to the College and University strategy.
- Play a major role in the strategic development of the College.
- Where appropriate, be closely associated with a Research Institute.
Main duties & responsibilities
- Develop and deliver a compelling, cohesive and ambitious vision for the School aligned to College strategic objectives.
- Actively influence and contribute to the development and delivery of a compelling and sustainable University strategy.
- Manage the School’s academic, physical and financial resources to maximize its contribution to the growth and success of the University.
- Provide academic leadership and direction to the School, embracing the range of subject disciplines represented in the School, by providing a coherent academic vision and direction accordingly.
- Lead, develop and motivate a high performing School and its staff, engendering a culture of excellence, accountability and transparency, including responsibility for the career development and performance management of academic staff within the school.
- Attract, manage and retain staff to achieve academic excellence, supported by Performance and Development Review processes, and contribute to the successful development of the School and the College.
- Identify, promote and contribute resources to developing the School’s research strengths and broader research portfolio. This will include identifying and supporting opportunities for research and programme developments internally, externally and internationally, both within existing funding streams, and where possible, through multi-disciplinary collaboration.
- Formulate and implement local aspects of the Learning and Teaching strategy which enhance the quality of the provision, ensuring that students are engaged fully and that the quality assurance of all provision is carried out in line with University policies.
- Promote engagement of students in critical evaluation of the education provision on an ongoing basis, taking cognisance of the needs of the diverse student body.
- Ensure academic staff in the School design, develop and deliver (undergraduate and postgraduate) degree programmes and relevant courses for agreed interdisciplinary degree programmes to the necessary standards.
- Actively develop and promote the School’s international academic profile and enhance its international recruitment and partnership development in line with the University’s Internationalisation strategy.
- Develop School strategies and associated financial and operational plans in partnership with staff and the VP/Head of College; to allocate School resources accordingly, with clear objectives, targets and associated measurements.
- Support cross-School and College developments in research, teaching and internationalisation including engaging with the Research Institues.
- Support and promote knowledge transfer between the University and non-academic users of research through appropriate mechanisms.
- Ensure close links are maintained with the relevant professional, statutory and regulatory bodies and that the School meets the required quality, accreditation training and development needs of the professions.
- Encourage, support and facilitate entrepreneurial activity, identifying and pursuing external funding and income–generating activities for the School.
- Ensure that all relevant University policies and procedures are communicated across the School.
- Forge and maintain external relations essential to the School’s business, promoting the University as required to external bodies and organisations and enhancing its reputation, profile and influence in Scottish, UK and international forums.
- Act as an ambassador for the School and College raising its profile externally including internationally and embodying good practice.
- Deputise, when required, for the Head of College, in connection with College business.
Qualifications
- Academic – Level 10 (Professor, Clinical preferred).
- PhD or demonstrable evidence of equivalent training and experience.
Skills & Experience
- Successful and sustained leadership that is evidenced internationally.
- Successful track record of academic leadership and team building.
- Leadership style that engenders a positive collaborative culture, sustaining high performing and effective teams that engage with colleagues across the University.
- Significant experience at a senior level in an academic based environment.
- Well-developed understanding of the priorities, operation and strategy of relevant funding bodies as evidenced by a track record of funded research.
- Proven experience of managing staff and their performance.
- History of successful training and development of early career academics, including PhD students.
- Demonstrable track record in strategic and operational management and planning.
- Experience of financial planning and resource allocation.
- Experience of leading and successfully initiating and implementing change.
- Experience working at a senior level with Health Boards and other national and regulatory bodies.
Personal Qualities
- Ability to identify, create and articulate a coherent academic vision for the School.
- Ability to combine and integrate the skills and expertise of highly motivated staff into multi-disciplinary teams, developing and building upon existing collaborations as well as creating/facilitating new opportunities.
- Ability to engage a range of internal and external stakeholders to collaborate in identifying problems and appropriate solutions, within agreed timetables and budgets.
- Ability to manage resources to ensure that the School is self-sustaining from income generated from research funders and other sources including teaching and research student supervision.
- Ability to motivate academic staff to create, develop and deliver innovative postgraduate taught degree programmes, working closely with Heads of College.
- Experienced in encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial activity.
- Fellowship of a subject specific society and international visiting appointment at a leading (top 200 global or top 3 in a specific country) international university.
Campus development plan
Our Vision
Over the next 10 years, the major investment will expand our campus footprint by 25%, creating a new urban quarter with the University at the heart of a revitalised west end. This is the largest development since the creation of the original campus in 1870.
This is a unique opportunity for a University to extend the boundaries of its historic core in a central city location.
The expansion of our Gilmorehill campus into the 14-acre, former Western Infirmary site will transform the West End of Glasgow. The Masterplan for the site will incorporate:
- New learning and teaching facilities supporting our students and making sure they get the best in modern teaching and learning styles and approaches
- Creation of a Research Hub, housing large-scale multidisciplinary projects and incubator space for spin out collaborations with industry. This will encourage further innovation development
- New public cycle and pedestrian routes and a new central square which will link Byres Road to the up-and-coming cultural quarter for the West End, with new links to Kelvingrove and the newly-refurbished Kelvin Hall
- Refurbishment of five listed buildings: The Chapel, the Outpatients building, the Macgregor building, the Tennent Institute and Anderson College
- Commercial opportunities, including a hotel, restaurant, bars and cafes
- The state-of-the-art Learning and Teaching Hub adjacent to the Boyd Orr building on University Avenue will be completed next year.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shopaholic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
Relocating to Glasgow
Choosing to relocate to Glasgow is a big decision. There are numerous things to be considered, such as the costs of moving, the cost of living, and where exactly to relocate to. We have created two guides to aide you in the decision-making process.
Find out more on relocating to Glasgow at the below link:
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
WORLD CHANGING GLASGOW 2025
Our outstanding disciplinary breadth and expertise has enabled us to make world-changing advances in fields as diverse as medicine, physics, linguistics, public policy and global development.
The key to our success is our talented staff and students pushing back at the boundaries of knowledge and understanding together.
Our World Changers Together strategy recognises the fundamental importance of a culture of open cooperation: not just as colleagues and mentors or students and teachers, but as a community of discovery that reaches beyond its walls and draws inspiration and strength from its connections and partnerships worldwide: excellence that's part of something bigger. The strategy is articulated across three themes:
COMMUNITY
- People centred, globally engaged
CONNECTIVITY
- Collaboratively minded, digitally enhanced
CHALLENGES
- Solution focused, impact oriented
Find out more
How to apply
Full details of the role and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
The closing date for applications is the 8th of March 2026.
Contact Martina Cooper at martina.cooper@glasgow.ac.uk for an informal, confidential discussion.
Terms & Conditions
Individuals are appointed to the role of Head of School for a period of four years in the first instance. Subject to satisfactory performance, appointments may be renewed on a mutually agreeable basis, normally for a further two years.
Substantive salary will be within the relevant Professorial or Clinical Academic range, with Head of School allowance during that period of office.
The Head of School will become a substantive Professorial member of staff within the School on demitting office.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
A flexible approach to working.
A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University .
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
Our values
The future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.
We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:
Ambition and Excellence
- We strive for excellence through our work
- We defend academic freedom globally
- We recognise and celebrate shared success
- We have an unrelenting focus on development
Curiosity and Discovery
- We innovate and solve problems together
- We lead by influence and example
- We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
- We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and Truth
- We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
- We share our work widely and generously
- We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
- We take responsibility
An Inclusive Community
- We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
- We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
- We champion education as an engine for social progress
- We practise and advance sustainability