The University of Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) and University of Southampton (UoS) are inviting expressions of interest for the role of Co-Director for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex, for the period 2026 - 2031.The successful applicant will be expected to act as ARC Wessex Co-Director Designate, working with the Director Designate, leading the preparations for, and submission of, an application to the new NIHR open competition for infrastructure in applied health and care to designate and fund NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) in England. The Co-Director will have specific leadership and management responsibilities for aspects of the ARC programme (to be negotiated with the successful applicant)

 

Applicants should be an NIHR Senior Investigator or equivalent world-leading academic at full professorial level and renowned international standing as a leader in their field. Proven expertise in leading large-scale centers of research along with a deep understanding of ARC Wessex and the wider NIHR infrastructure along with system transformation is required.

 

The role requires an average commitment of one day per week, (0.1FTE funded from April 2026 if the ARC is designated by NIHR): 

 

Expressions of interest should be made through submission of an curriculum vitae (CV) and covering letter (maximum 750 words), explaining why you would be a suitable candidate. This should include:  

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• evidence of a track record of leadership within the applied health and care research environment, particularly within the priority areas set out in the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) 2024 Guidance for Applicants and NIHR strategic research priorities; 

• https://www.nihr.ac.uk/nihr-applied-research-collaborations-arcs-2024-guidance-applicants

• evidence of experience of leading research within the current ARC Wessex, with health and care professionals, providers, patient/public groups and other relevant organisations within the health and care system, to support and influence approaches to the practice of health and/or care delivery;

• evidence of experience of effective involvement and engagement of communities to realise benefits for patients, public, research end-users and/or the health and care system;  

• evidence of a commitment to, and experience of, improving research culture and research inclusion in the research workforce and developing an inclusive research portfolio that addresses health and care inequalities;

• evidence of experience in approaches to support implementation of research findings through meaningful engagement with patients, health care professionals and service end users and commitment to, and experience of, successful research knowledge mobilisation and impact;

• evidence of commitment to developing research capacity and capability within the health and care system, including supporting early career researchers to become future leaders.

 

The deadline for submissions of expressions of interest is 4.00pm on Friday 30th May 2025. Please send toRachael Hartup (r.j.hartup@soton.ac.uk).

 

Expressions of interest will be shortlisted. An interview will be scheduled for shortlisted applicants.