Director of Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies

About the role

The University of Malawi seeks a senior leader to steer its research, innovation and postgraduate agenda. Reporting to the Deputy Vice‑Chancellor, the Director will shape strategy, raise the university’s research profile and ensure high‑quality postgraduate programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement institutional research, innovation and postgraduate strategies aligned with the University Strategic Plan.
• Provide leadership for interdisciplinary, high‑impact research across all schools and research centres.
• Oversee postgraduate policies, quality assurance, supervision standards and timely programme completion.
• Lead innovation, technology transfer, intellectual‑property management and commercialization frameworks.
• Mobilise research funding through grants, partnerships, consultancies and donor engagement at national, regional and international levels.
• Strengthen research ethics, integrity, compliance and governance systems.
• Establish and manage strategic collaborations with industry, government, development partners and international institutions.
• Promote staff and postgraduate research capacity development, including training in grant writing and research management.
• Monitor and report on institutional research performance, outputs, rankings and impact metrics.
• Supervise the Head of Research and Innovation, the Head of Postgraduate Studies and the Heads of Research Centres.

Required profile

• PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification from a recognised university.
• Senior academic rank (Senior Lecturer or above) or extensive senior‑level research management experience.
• Proven track record of research publications and successful grant acquisition.
• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in research leadership, postgraduate administration or research‑innovation management.
• Experience in strategic planning, policy development and institutional leadership.
• Strong understanding of research governance, ethics, intellectual‑property and innovation systems.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage national and international research partnerships.