Professor Borysiewicz was nominated by the University Council. Subject to the approval of the Regent House, the University’s governing body, he will succeed the present Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Richard, at the end of her seven-year term on October 1 2010.

The Vice-Chancellor is the full-time, resident head of the University and its most senior academic officer. The role dates back to 1412 and Professor Borysiewicz will be the 345th office-holder. The nomination is the culmination of an international search, which the University Council’s Advisory Committee began earlier this year.

Professor Frank Kelly, Master of Christ’s College, Cambridge, who oversaw the search, said:

“In its 800th anniversary year the University has had much to celebrate from its past achievements and its transforming effect on lives and society, and it looks to the future with confidence and ambition.

“Professor Borysiewicz’s wide experience and outstanding personal qualities equip him superbly to lead Cambridge as a world-leading centre for education and research.”

Prior to joining the MRC, Professor Borysiewicz was Deputy Rector at Imperial College London, having joined in 2001 as Principal of the Faculty of Medicine. In his latter role at Imperial, Sir Leszek was responsible for the overall academic and scientific direction of the college, particularly the development of inter-disciplinary research between engineering, physical sciences and biomedicine. During his time at Imperial, Sir Leszek was also Governor of the Wellcome Trust (2006-2007), Chairman of the UKCRC Integrated Academic Training Awards Panel (2005-2007), and he continues to Chair the HEFCE RAE Main Panel A Assessment Panel.

Previously he had been a Lecturer in Medicine at the University of Cambridge (1988-1991), as a member of Wolfson College where he is now an Honorary Fellow, before moving to the University of Wales as Professor of Medicine (1991 – 2001).

Professor Borysiewicz was knighted in the 2001 New Year’s Honours List for his research into developing vaccines, including a vaccine to prevent the development of cervical cancer.

Professor Borysiewicz said: “I am delighted to be nominated for the position of Vice-Chancellor and excited by the opportunity to build on Cambridge’s strong tradition of academic excellence in both teaching and research. I will be sad to leave the Medical Research Council but I am proud to have helped the MRC write the next chapter in its long and successful history of improving human health through the impact of its excellent research.”