BOSSES at Glasgow's new £300 million supercollege are searching for a new principal to head up the project.

Applications are being sought for the £150,000 post of principal and chief executive of the city's dual-campus new college.

Plans are now well underway to create the biggest educational institution in Scotland, which will merge Central College, Metropolitan College and the College of Nautical Studies.

The new principal will be charged with co-ordinating the phased transfer of the three colleges from the existing buildings to twin city centre and riverside sites over the next five years.

He or she will also have the responsibility of delivering the project by summer 2014, within budget.

The new principal will also act as chief executive officer of the college's board of management.

Eric Tottman-Trayner, chair of the shadow board, said: "Recruiting a principal is a key stage in the merger process.

"The new principal will be tasked with leading and delivering the successful merger of the three colleges as well as its new custom-built campus.

"One of the key challenges for the new principal will be to establish a unique culture, ethos, brand awareness and reputation for the college.

"The shadow board is currently engaged in taking this forward using specialist recruitment consultants and would hope to appoint a principal designate before Christmas."

The proposals, which have been under discussion for nearly a decade, will lead to 2000 staff and around 60,000 students being on one site by 2014.

The architects for the project were appointed earlier this month.

Atkins, which was responsible for the landmark Burj Al Arab in Dubai, was selected ahead of four rival firms for the contract.