SCIENTIST Julia Goodfellow is to be the next vice-chancellor of the University of Kent.

Professor Goodfellow, who is currently chief executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), takes up her new appointment in September following the retirement of Professor David Melville.

She has been in her present job since 2002 and is responsible for more than £350m of Government funding for biological research in universities, and 2,600 staff in the seven BBSRC-sponsored institutes in the UK.

She was previously Vice-Master (deputy vice-chancellor) at Birkbeck, University of London, following her appointment as Chair of the School of Crystallography.

Prof Goodfellow said: "I am delighted to accept appointment as the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent at an exciting and challenging time for the higher education sector.

"I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead the university and am fortunate to be able to build on the excellent base established by Professor Melville and colleagues.

"We will be looking to continue to enhance course provision and the learning environment for students on all campuses, to increase Kent’s success in research and to build up innovation and enterprise activities in the region.

"I am looking forward to working with the excellent staff and students at Kent and to strengthening the partnerships that are at the centre of the University’s plans."

Valerie Marshall, chairman of the University’s Council, said she was delighted with the appointment. "We attracted a very strong field of candidates for this appointment and I am very pleased to be able to welcome Professor Goodfellow to the University.

"The vision of our current Vice-Chancellor has enabled Kent to transform itself into one of the most dynamic universities in the UK. We are confident Professor Goodfellow will lead us to success in our ambition to be one of the leading universities in the UK."