UNIVERSITY OF LUTON
Luton Business School
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE Professor/Reader in Entrepreneurship and Small Business
and Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies
REPORTS TO Head of Department of Strategy and Human Resources
DATE 18/7/02
Purpose
To publish research of international quality in the field of entrepreneurship and small business development which underpins the curriculum delivery and development
To head the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, which develops and undertakes commercial work, funded research and other income generation activities
To assist in the development and delivery of postgraduate and undergraduate modules in entrepreneurship and small business development.
Funded research programmes and/or commercial contracts in the field of entrepreneurship and small business development
Subject research in the area of entrepreneurship and small business
Delivery and leadership of postgraduate and undergraduate modules in entrepreneurship and small business development
Any other duties that may reasonably be requested by the Head of Department.
Person Specification
Candidates are expected to have:
a national or international reputation in their field
a doctorate in an appropriate area
a record of recent high quality publications in relevant areas
related teaching experience
good communication skills
ability and willingness to work alone and in teams
an understanding of the needs of students in a modern university
a flexible approach to work.
The foregoing should be seen as dynamic evolving concepts and it is important that the person appointed is able to work within a changing environment and is adaptable to the needs of the organisation and the market.
The Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies has a growing reputation in the region as well as nationally and internationally and attracts substantial grants for research from various agencies including the East of England Development Agency, LEONARDO and other EU sources. It also carries out consultancy work for SMEs in the region. Several staff are involved in a project to foster enterprise in the community, particularly among ethnic minority groups. Staff involved with the Centre include one other Professor and a Research Fellow.
The Centre is part of the Department of Strategy and Human Resources. The Department has an establishment of 20 full-time members of staff, and 5 research students. These include two other Professors (one in Entrepreneurship) and a Research Fellow. There is also a Visiting Profesor of Entrepreneurship and the Dean also has an academic interest in the area.
The Department delivers teaching to most of the Business School's programmes, at all levels, however of particular relevance are the MSc in Entrepreneurship and Business Management and the MBA (Entrepreneurship). The Department runs a Doctorate in Business Administration programme, demand for which substantially outstrips available places.
Within the Department are other areas of national and international research excellence, particularly in the domains of research methods, personal constructs and reward systems. Two staff have major research remits and most others are actively engaged in research or consultancy. Funding for research is gained from a range of sources, including industry and commerce, various European initiatives and the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Wales. The Department also leads the teaching and consultancy contributions of the School in other commercial activities, including "in-company" programmes delivered for Vauxhall Motors and Camelot.
The Business School received a 3a rating in the recent Research Assessment Exercise in the area of Business Management and a 4 in Tourism and Leisure.
The post arises because of the departure of the current Director to a Chair position at another institution and the University's continuing expansion of this area of activity. The University has recently appointed a Visiting Professor to work with the Centre and the University's Knowledge Hub, developing entrepreneurial networks, and offers a range of programmes to SMEs, supported by the EU/Government. These include: Toolkits - workshops on competitiveness; WEBstep - developing internet and e-commerce skills; LeB - foreign language training courses for e-business; Atlas - supported virtual language learning; Law for Life - on-line legal training package; Pheonix - e-business for women; Griffin - certificate in engineering product management.
Nature and Scope
Employment is on a full-time contract, although applications from individuals who wish to undertake these roles on a part-time basis alongside continuing involvement with business will be welcomed.
As Head of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, the individual will be expected to further develop the existing research and teaching provision within the University. This will involve seeking funds from outside bodies. Teaching time is negotiable, based upon the research income generated, however, the maximum teaching contact per year is 275 hours, which may include evening, Saturday or summer work within national or local agreements. This includes supervision of projects and dissertations, research projects and allowances. The person appointed may be expected to input specialist teaching on the modules provided by the Department to the University's undergraduate and postgraduate modular schemes.
The appointee must have a national or international reputation in the field of entrepreneurship and small business. A doctorate in an appropriate area is essential and a substantial publication record is expected. Good interpersonal and communication skills are necessary for the post. The ability to work in teams is essential, as is the individual's willingness to further develop the University's reputation and activities in this area.