Dean of School for Engineering and Innovation

Shape the Future of Engineering & Innovation as Dean at Aston University.

Aston University, located in Birmingham, UK, is recognized for its focus on employability, industry engagement, and innovative research. Established in 1895 and granted university status in 1966, Aston has built a reputation for excellence in education and research. It was named University of the Year for Student Success by the Daily Mail University Guide and awarded Best University Placement Team at the 2022 National University Employability (NUE) Awards. Ranked 21st in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and in the top 10% globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, Aston also ranks among the top 20 for graduate salaries in the UK. The university is one of the few in the UK to achieve triple Gold in the latest REF and holds a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.

Aston is undergoing significant expansion as part of the Aston 2030 Strategy, with the development of two new buildings, a London hub, international partnerships, and growth in enterprise through Aston Commercial. The university is divided into three colleges: Engineering & Physical Sciences, Business & Social Sciences, and Health & Life Sciences.

The College & School

This is an exciting time to join Aston which has recently risen in many league table positions including Guardian, Times and QS. The College of Engineering & Physical Sciences (EPS) delivers exceptional teaching and research, with top rankings in Product Design (1st), Biomedical Engineering (2nd), and Computer Science (12th), Design and engineering (4th), Chemical Engineering (9th) in the Guardian and Sunday Times 2025 rankings for teaching, student experience and graduate outcomes. The Guardian placed Computer Science at Aston at 12th place. EPS was one of a handful of colleges to be awarded Athena Swan Gold for Equality Diversity and Inclusion. 

The college houses three schools and the Design Factory Birmingham, which collaborates with industry on real-world projects. Research focuses on AI, Sustainable Engineering, and Biotechnology, with larger institutes in Energy (EBRI), Photonics (AiPT), Membranes (AIME), and Digital (ADFI). The college supports Aston Professional in delivering professional education, including degree apprenticeships, and contributes to the Omnichannel Strategy through international partnerships and the new Aston London Hub.

The Role

We are now seeking an outstanding candidate to lead the school’s growth and shape new academic disciplines.  The Dean will manage a team of Heads of Department and Associate Deans for Education, Student Experience, and Research. The school aims to expand in the next five years, starting with the creation of an MEng in Aerospace. Experience in establishing new disciplines, such as Aerospace, is preferred. The school offers pathways in Mechanical, Biomedical, Chemical, and Design Engineering, with future expansion planned in Civil Engineering, Engineering Management, and Supply Chain Management pending the formation of a new School of Infrastructure & Built Environment.

The role is for a 5-year fixed tenure (0.8 FTE), with the potential to extend, with the remainder of the time dedicated to teaching or research, as agreed with the PVC Dean of College.

The school management team will ensure alignment with the Aston 2030 Strategy, achieving top rankings in national league tables for teaching, a successful REF return, and stronger industry partnerships.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a forward-thinking and impactful academic school at Aston University.

For informal enquiries about this position, you can contact Prof. Tony Clark PVC Dean tony.clark@aston.ac.uk.   

The salary and job description for this role are likely to meet the requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. Please see the Home Office Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job 

Closing Date: 04 Apr 2025

Unit: Teaching & Research

Salary: £65,632 to £101,647 per annum