Crossword Genius

Top university job includes a hairdo (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

uppermost

'top' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'university job includes a hairdo' is the wordplay.
'university' becomes 'U' (abbreviation as in UMass).
'job' becomes 'post' (post is a kind of job).
'includes' is an insertion indicator.
'a hairdo' becomes 'perm' (perm is a kind of hairdo).
'post' enclosing 'perm' is 'ppermost'.
'u'+'ppermost'='UPPERMOST'

(Other definitions for uppermost that I've seen before include "At or nearest to the top" , "Support me being on top" , "get to top" , "Highest in place or rank" , "On top or first in the mind" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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