Imperial College London: Donal Bradley, plastic electronics pioneer, appointed Pro Rector

Professor Donal Bradley FRS, a physicist who has spearheaded the development of plastic electronics research at the College, is announced today as Imperial's new Pro Rector (Research) from 1 October 2011.

Professor Bradley is one of the most highly cited scientists in the fields of physics and materials science, and is a co-inventor of conjugated polymer electroluminescence, an innovation that launched the field of plastic electronics.

In his new role he will be responsible for strategic research issues across the College, determining priorities for strategic research investment and coordinating and developing the College's research relationships externally.

Rector Sir Keith O'Nions said: "Donal is truly one of the outstanding scientists of his generation, a pioneer in the field of plastic electronics and a figurehead for research excellence within Imperial. He is the ideal person to lead the College's strategic activities as we look to strengthen our research relationships with external collaborators."

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Bradley said: "I am delighted to be continuing my long relationship with the College in a new role. Imperial's interdisciplinary approach, with an emphasis on translation, distinguishes it among other world-leading research institutions. I look forward to working closely with colleagues throughout the College in promoting research excellence and in fostering successful collaborations both internally and with external partners."

Reporting to the Rector, he will join the College's Management Board, the senior management committee, which is responsible for the vision and overall strategy for the College.

Professor Bradley is currently Deputy Principal of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, a position he has held since 2009. From 2005-2009 he was Head of the Department of Physics and in 2009 he became the first Director of the Centre for Plastic Electronics, which integrates and coordinates plastic electronics research activity within the College, bringing together an interdisciplinary team from across faculties, departments and research groups.

Among his many awards and honours, Professor Bradley was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2004, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics in 2005, and was awarded a CBE in the 2010 New Years Honours for services to science.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, over 70 per cent of Imperial research activity was judged as world-leading or internationally excellent, the highest proportion of all UK multi-faculty universities. In 2009-10 the College's research income was almost £300 million, one of the largest of any university in the UK.

Professor Bradley will take over from the Acting Pro Rector (Research), Professor David Begg, who will continue as Principal of the Imperial College Business School. The position of Pro Rector (Research) is part-time and Professor Bradley will continue to lead the Centre for Plastic Electronics, and retain his research activities within the Centre and the Department of Physics.