Applications Now Open: Training Associate Director x 3
Published: 14 July 2026
The Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) is seeking three outstanding academic leaders, from across our 17 member HEIs, to help design the next generation of doctoral researcher development through Scotland's AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) Hub.
Training Associate Director x 3
Concepts & Critiques | Empirical Enquiry | Creation & Practice
Help shape the future of Arts and Humanities Doctoral Training in Scotland
This is a unique opportunity to influence national policy and practice, build collaborative networks across all 17 Scottish HEIs, and leave a lasting legacy for doctoral education. Working across institutional boundaries, you will help shape how doctoral researchers are supported, how new approaches to researcher development are designed, and how Scotland continues to lead internationally in collaborative Arts and Humanities doctoral training.
If you are passionate about doctoral education, thrive on collaboration and want to help shape the future of research training at a national level, we would love to hear from you.
Why this Opportunity Matters
Doctoral training is undergoing significant change across the UK. As the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award Hub for Scotland, SGSAH is leading a new national approach to collaborative researcher development.
The three Training Associate Directors will play a central role in shaping this future. Working with the SGSAH Directorate and academic colleagues across Scotland, you will influence strategy, develop innovative national training, strengthen cross-institutional partnerships and help ensure doctoral researchers benefit from an ambitious, inclusive and world-class training environment.
About SGSAH
SGSAH is the world’s first and only national graduate school for the Arts and Humanities. Through collaboration, partnership and innovation, SGSAH supports doctoral researchers, develops national programmes and champions the value and impact of Arts and Humanities research.
Academic Training Pillars / DLA Spokes
Each Training Associate Director will lead one Academic Training Pillar. Applicants should state which Pillar they wish to lead:
- Concepts & Critiques: Focuses on theories, methods, concepts and frameworks underpinning arts and humanities research, supporting doctoral researchers to work confidently and critically across disciplinary boundaries.
- Empirical Enquiry: Focuses on practical and applied research methodologies, including data collection, analysis, fieldwork, qualitative and quantitative approaches, and other forms of evidence-based investigation.
- Creation & Practice: Focuses on practice-led, practice-based and creative research methodologies, including creative arts approaches and the physical, material, conceptual or collaborative production of knowledge.
Each Pillar provides strategic leadership for an important area of doctoral training and contributes to a coherent, interdisciplinary national programme.
Your contribution
You will provide academic leadership for one Academic Training Pillar, helping to shape nationally coordinated doctoral training, develop vibrant academic networks across Scotland, and contribute to the strategic development of the DLA Hub.
You will work collaboratively with colleagues from across the SGSAH partnership to design innovative researcher development opportunities and strengthen Scotland's national doctoral training landscape.
Full responsibilities are provided in the accompanying Job Description.
Why apply?
Beyond making a significant contribution to doctoral education, these roles offer the opportunity to:
- Influence the future direction of Arts and Humanities doctoral training nationally
- Work alongside leading academic colleagues from across Scotland
- Build lasting strategic partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations
- Contribute to sector-wide innovation in researcher development
- Further develop your own academic leadership through a nationally recognised role.
Who can apply
Academic colleagues from SGSAH's 17 member HEIs with experience of doctoral education, research leadership and collaborative working are encouraged to apply. Please refer to the Job Description for the full eligibility criteria and person specification.
Institutional contribution
SGSAH will provide a strategic partnership contribution of £3,000 per annum to the successful applicant's employing institution in recognition of its support for this national activity. This contribution supports institutional engagement within the wider SGSAH partnership and is not intended as personal remuneration or full cost recovery. Reasonable expenses directly related to the role will be met by SGSAH
All applicants must confirm that they have support from their departmental budget holder before applying.
Terms
The roles are for two years in the first instance, commencing on 1 January 2027 (or as soon as possible thereafter). The roles are undertaken on a flexible hybrid basis, with meetings taking place online and at locations across Scotland.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
SGSAH believes excellent doctoral training is strengthened by diverse perspectives and experiences. We warmly welcome applications from colleagues across all disciplines, backgrounds and career paths, particularly those currently under-represented within the sector. We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible and will happily discuss any reasonable adjustments required throughout the application and interview process.
How to apply
Please submit the following to applications@sgsah.ac.uk by 10 August 2026:
- Covering letter (maximum 3 pages)
- CV (maximum 4 pages)
- Contact details for two referees (including current line manager)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview on 1 September 2026.
For an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact Professor Maria Fusco at director@sgsah.ac.uk.
First published: 14 July 2026
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