Head of Department - Psychology (HoD)

Head of Department - Psychology (HoD)

Institutional Context and Location

A highly-ranked, NAAC 'A' accredited private university in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, focused on innovation.

Role Overview

The Head of Department (HoD) will be the principal academic and administrative leader for the Department of Psychology. This critical role demands a visionary leader with a strong scientific foundation to drive academic rigor, research output, and student success across all departmental programs. The HoD is responsible for the strategic direction, operational management, and excellence of all academic offerings, ensuring compliance with both institutional and statutory standards.

Academic Programs Under Direct Leadership

• Doctoral Programme in Psychology
• M.Sc. Psychology (Clinical)
• M.Sc. Psychology (Human Resource Development and Management - HRDM)
• M.Sc. Psychology (Counselling)
• B.Sc. Psychology

Key Responsibilities (Mandatory and Necessary)

1.Academic Strategy and Curriculum Management: Direct the design, review, and execution of curriculum across all five specified programs (UG, PG, and Doctoral). Ensure the content is evidence-based, technically rigorous, and aligns with the latest advancements in psychological science.

2.Research and Innovation Leadership: Establish and maintain a vibrant research environment. Actively promote and secure extramural research funding, mentor faculty and doctoral candidates, and ensure high-quality scholarly publications.

3.Departmental Administration and Resource Management: Manage the departmental budget, allocate resources effectively, oversee faculty recruitment, and handle student admissions and grievance redressal in coordination with central administration.

4.Professional Development and Accreditation: Oversee specialized program streams (Clinical, Counselling) to ensure subject-specific technical standards are met for professional practice and maintain necessary professional body accreditations or affiliations.

5.Faculty Mentorship and Evaluation: Lead, motivate, and evaluate the performance of faculty and staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing academic culture.

Key Qualifications and Experience

The revised criteria emphasizes a strong scientific and technical foundation.

Essential Qualifications and Background

• Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Psychology or a highly relevant sub-field from a recognized national or international university.
• Mandatory Science Background: The candidate must possess a strong foundational academic lineage in Science, explicitly demonstrating B.Sc. and/or M.Sc. qualifications in a related Science stream prior to or alongside their Psychology specialization.
• Relevant Academic Experience: A minimum of 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in teaching, research, and administration at recognized universities or colleges of repute.
• Leadership Experience: At least 5 years in a significant academic leadership role such as Head of Department, Program Director, or equivalent administrative position.

Essential Subject-Specific and Technical Expertise

• Deep Technical Expertise: Proven ability to manage and supervise technically demanding post-graduate programs in specialized areas like Clinical or Counselling Psychology, including knowledge of diagnostics, psychometrics, and intervention methodologies.
• Research Competence: Substantial record of successful research work, evidenced by a significant volume of publications in Scopus/WoS indexed journals and successful supervision of Ph.D. scholars.
• Scientific Methodology Focus: High-level expertise in contemporary research methodologies (e.g., experimental design, longitudinal studies) and advanced statistical analysis (e.g., multivariate techniques, structural equation modeling).
• Program Management Skill: Demonstrated experience in the full lifecycle management of a Doctoral Programme in Psychology, including coursework, comprehensive examinations, and thesis defense protocols.

Preferred Criteria

• Experience in liaising with regulatory bodies (e.g., UGC, AICTE, RCI) and securing program approvals.
• Documented experience with industry collaborations, establishing MOUs for internships, and securing placements for specialized programs (e.g., HRDM, Clinical).