Loughborough University
Professor and Academic Director of UK SCALE Centre
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Loughborough Business School
Full Time, Open Ended
Loughborough University and Loughborough Business School, through a long-term partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Centre for Transportation and Logistics (MIT-CTL), have established the UK Supply Chain and Logistics Excellence (UK SCALE) Centre as the UK’s national convener for supply chain progress and transformation, and the newest member of the world-leading MIT Global SCALE Network. Now in its second year, UK SCALE is moving decisively from establishment into a dynamic scale-up phase, expanding its research activity, deepening partnerships, and strengthening its national role in shaping resilient, productive, and sustainable supply chains.
Our purpose is to reimagine and optimise the supply chains that connect and power our world, helping industry, policymakers, and academia to build systems that are more resilient, productive, and sustainable. We believe supply chains do more than move goods; they move society forward. Located in Loughborough, at the heart of the UK’s logistics and manufacturing corridor, the Centre is uniquely positioned to connect global insight with national delivery. It brings together leading researchers, industry partners, and policymakers to address the UK’s most complex supply chain challenges. Through applied research, education, and engagement, we develop smarter systems and stronger futures.
Discover further information about the UK SCALE Centre.
The role and what we’re looking for
As Academic Director, you will lead the development and delivery of the UK SCALE’s academic network and research collaboration model, with a particular focus on convening and directing the UK Supply Chain Academic Network (SCAN). Acting as a national convenor, you will bring together academics, industry, and partners to shape and deliver challenge-led, collaborative research aligned to UK supply chain priorities.
A central responsibility of the role will be to design, convene, and deliver an industry-funded “sandpit” model, working closely with the UK SCALE team and partners to translate industry challenges into collaborative research activity. The Academic Director will act as the academic lead for this programme. A key deliverable will be the establishment of at least one industry-funded sandpit in 2026/27, creating a foundation for a scalable pipeline of collaborative research activity.
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We are seeking candidates with a research, teaching & enterprise background or an industry/practitioner background. We are particularly looking for applicants with significant relevant experience in supply chain management, transportation, logistics, operations management, or a related discipline who are on a professorial trajectory or at an early stage of their professorial career. Alongside disciplinary expertise, candidates will have the credibility, energy, and collaborative leadership skills to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders, build partnerships, and bring people together around shared goals.
For more information on the role please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
Key details
- The successful candidate will be part of the school’s Management Science and Operations discipline group.
- This post is available on a full-time, open-ended basis, with a start date of as soon as practically possible in 2027. Hybrid working is also available, with a mix of working in the office and from home.
Application and assessment process
- The closing date for applications is 30th September 2026.
- First stage interviews will be conducted via MS Teams on 16th October 2026.
- Candidates who successfully pass this stage will be invited to the second stage of interview in-person on the morning of 30th October 2026.
- This second stage will include the following assessment methods:
- A role play exercise
- Presentation
- Formal interview
For informal enquiries please contact Professor Jan Godsell, Dean of Loughborough Business School at J.Godsell@lboro.ac.uk
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Why should you apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Loughborough Business School and be part of the new UK SCALE Centre. As well as Loughborough being a great place to work, we offer a generous employment package - find out more about the range of Loughborough Benefits on our website, including our generous annual leave allowance.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that you may need during the recruitment process. If there are adjustments that you’d like to request please contact Professor Martin Tuuli, Director of Academic Staffing at M.M.Tuuli@lboro.ac.uk
Our Benefits
At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:
- Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme
- Where you work – access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
- Financial wellbeing – competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities
- Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.
- Health and wellbeing – discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support
- Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting
Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.
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