(AMU) Director, Centre for Research and Graduate Studies

Job Overview :

The Director, Centre for Research and Graduate Studies (CRGS) is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of the University's research and postgraduate agenda. The role encompasses the development of a vibrant research culture, enhancement of research productivity and impact, acquisition of external funding, effective management of postgraduate programmes, and strengthening the University's performance in national and international ratings, rankings, and quality assessment exercises.

Job Responsibilities :

• Research Strategy and Development
• Develop and implement the University's research strategy, policies, and initiatives in alignment with the University's strategic plan.
• Foster a strong research culture and promote interdisciplinary and collaborative research activities across faculties and centres.
• Establish initiatives to increase research productivity, quality publications, and research impact.
• Promote innovation, commercialisation, consultancy, and knowledge transfer activities.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with industries, government agencies, professional bodies, and research institutions locally and internationally.

• Research Grants and Funding
• Lead initiatives to secure external and internal research grants and funding opportunities.
• Identify and disseminate information on research funding opportunities to academic staff.
• Work closely with faculties to develop competitive research grant proposals.
• Monitor the performance and implementation of funded research projects.
• Establish mechanisms to increase the University's research income and sustainability.

• Publications and Research Performance
• Develop strategies to significantly increase high-quality publications, including indexed publications in journals such as Scopus and Web of Science.
• Monitor research output and publication performance at individual, faculty, and institutional levels.
• Encourage publications in high-impact journals and promote research visibility and citations.
• Establish targets and initiatives to improve the University's research indicators and benchmarking performance.

• Institutional Rankings and Quality Assessments
• Coordinate and lead the University's contributions towards research-related indicators for:
  1. MyRA (Malaysia Research Assessment);
  2. SETARA;
  3. Ministry of Higher Education requirements;
  4. MQA and other regulatory submissions;
  5. International rankings and benchmarking exercises where applicable.
• Monitor institutional research performance indicators and develop improvement plans.
• Prepare reports, evidence, and documentation required for assessments, audits, and rankings exercises..

• Postgraduate Studies Management
• Provide strategic direction and oversight of postgraduate education and research-based programmes.
• Ensure effective governance, administration, and quality assurance of postgraduate programmes.
• Work closely with faculties in the management of research-based postgraduate programmes, including:
  1. candidature management;
  2. supervision arrangements;
  3. research progress monitoring;
  4. examination and viva voce processes;
  5. thesis submission and graduation requirements.
• Review and enhance policies, procedures, and systems relating to postgraduate studies.
• Promote postgraduate student recruitment, retention, and completion rates.

• Capacity Building and Academic Development
• Plan and implement continuous professional development programmes and in-house training on research and postgraduate matters.
• Organise workshops, seminars, colloquia, and training sessions on research methodologies, grant writing, publications, supervision, ethics, and academic writing.
• Mentor and support academic staff in developing research capabilities and supervisory competencies.
• Promote best practices in research governance and postgraduate education.

• External Engagement and Visibility
• Represent the University in conferences, seminars, forums, and professional engagements relating to research and postgraduate education.
• Increase the University's visibility and reputation through active participation in national and international academic and research activities.
• Establish collaborative networks and partnerships that contribute to research excellence and postgraduate development.
• Promote the University's research achievements and scholarly contributions to external stakeholders.

• General Responsibilities
• Ensure compliance with University policies, procedures, regulations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of research and postgraduate information and records.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and strategic papers relating to research and postgraduate matters.
• Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice Chancellor or Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & Research) from time to time.

Key Competencies

1. Strategic leadership and planning skills
2. Research management and grant acquisition expertise
3. Knowledge of higher education quality assurance and regulatory requirements
4. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
5. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
6. Project management and organisational skills
7. Ability to build collaborations and partnerships
8. Leadership, mentoring, and people development capabilities
9. Professionalism, integrity, and accountability

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

1. Increase in the number and quality of indexed publications and research outputs.
2. Growth in external research grants and research income secured by the University.
3. Improved institutional performance in MyRA, SETARA, and other quality assessment exercises.
4. Effective implementation of research policies and strategic initiatives.
5. Successful management and quality assurance of postgraduate programmes.
6. Improvement in postgraduate enrolment, progression, and completion rates.
7. Number and impact of research collaborations, consultancies, and external partnerships.
8. Number of in-house training programmes, seminars, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives conducted.
9. Increased visibility and representation of the University in national and international academic and research engagements.

Job Requirements :

• Possess a Doctoral degree in Education / Management from a recognised institution.
• Preferably an Associate Professor or Professor with an established track record in research and postgraduate supervision.
• Minimum five (5) years of academic leadership and research management experience in higher education.
• Demonstrated success in obtaining research grants and leading funded research projects.
• Strong publication record in indexed journals and evidence of scholarly contributions.
• Experience in postgraduate supervision and management of research-based programmes.
• Good understanding of MyRA, SETARA, MQA requirements, and higher education quality assurance frameworks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to lead strategic initiatives and work collaboratively across faculties and departments.