Posted: 6th March 2019

Professor Dave Gavaghan has become the University of Oxford’s first University Advocate for Research Staff Development. He says of his new role,

‘Research staff comprise some of the brightest minds in their generations drawn to Oxford from across the globe to conduct cutting edge research across the University’s four divisions. The importance of the University’s research staff in maintaining its position as one of the world’s leading research institutions cannot be overstated.

If the University is to continue to attract the best researchers to Oxford, particularly in the face of the current external challenges, then it needs to provide an environment within which each member of research staff can determine and successfully move on to the next stage in their career, whatever that next stage might be. In short, the University needs to provide a world-leading researcher development environment to support its research staff.

Appointment to the role of University Advocate for Research Staff Development will enable me to continue to take a leading role in the development of this environment, and in ensuring that the University continues to be the destination of choice for researchers wishing to move on successfully to the next stage of their careers.’