Job Description
Professor and Academic Director of UK SCALE Centre Job description 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. 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 infl