Two of the biggest jobs in higher education are open for recruitment – with the London School of Economics and Political Science and the University of Cambridge both looking for new leaders.

At the LSE, current director Craig Calhoun (pictured) is to leave on 31 August this year, with a replacement sought to “start in post as soon as possible thereafter and at the latest by September 2017”, according to the advertisement for the post.

"Candidates must be of exceptional calibre with eminent intellectual standing," says the advertisement.

"The successful candidate will have well-developed change management skills gained at a senior level in a complex institution, as well as the ability to balance active participation in internal academic governance with an external profile," it continues.

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At Cambridge, the new candidate will take over from Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, who started in 2010, after he comes to the end of his term in September 2017.

Cambridge has already held for members of the university to give their views on the search.

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According to a given at the meetings by Ian White, master of Jesus College and chair of the selection committee, the new incumbent will face a “huge demand to modernise and reorganise” elements of the university, including a rebuild of its historic Cavendish laboratory.

There are also parts of the university that are “historic sites barely fit for purpose”, according to his presentation. It acknowledged that Cambridge has “underinvested in its estate for decades”, and that it would require at least £100 million of capital expenditure a year for the next two decades.

One challenge listed for the new vice-chancellor during the presentation was to ensure that Cambridge “remains attractive, affordable, and that salaries and rewards are competitive”.

Another listed is ensuring “strong continuing international performance” in the midst of the “impact of US and Asian universities”.

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david.matthews@tesglobal.com