Job Title: Quantum Applications Engineer in Analog Quantum Computing
Salary: £39,748-£44,166 (Band E) gross per annum dependent on experience*
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Location: Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK
Visa Sponsorship: We are able to sponsor Visa applications, reimburse application fees, and encourage international candidates to apply. A relocation package may be available.
*Specialist Allowances, which are a form of additional pay independent of salary, may be applicable for this role for suitably qualified candidates of up to £8000.
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.
Context
The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is a new research institution, funded through UK Research and Innovation, which is dedicated to accelerating the development of quantum computing by addressing the challenges of scaling up the technology. The Centre will work with businesses, the government and the research community to deliver quantum computing capabilities for the UK and support the growth of the emerging industry. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines for developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.
A purpose-built facility for the NQCC, which is due to open in 2023, will be located at Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. Until then, the NQCC’s activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. The NQCC will sit alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and is part of the wider National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP). The NQCC is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Key Accountabilities
The Deputy Director for Programme Delivery will have primary responsibility for delivering both the NQCC core programme and a £35m multi-party programme that seeks to ensure end-user adoption of quantum computing through access to resources, skills development and demonstration of quantum advantage driving economic value, security and productivity enhancement for the UK. This role is not responsible for the delivery of the NQCC facility construction or commissioning aspects of the wider programme and business case. Furthermore, this role will have strategic ownership of the future sustainability funding model and business case development for the NQCC.
As part of the leadership team, this role will report to NQCC Director and will work across the activities of the NQCC and with colleagues in UKRI delivering a new programme seeking to deliver a demonstration of one or more UK-based small-scale NISQ-era hardware platforms and to utilise cloud and hosted QC resources to demonstrate quantum advantage. Furthermore, it seeks to accelerate the growth in user adoption of quantum computing and associated essential skills and to uncover critical bottlenecks in understanding technology readiness and systems performance to support objective criteria specification of further missions on the pathway to delivering fully fault-tolerant error-corrected quantum computing for the UK. In support of this programme, the NQCC will play a coordinating role in bringing together delivery and procurement partners across UKRI and providing Programme oversight.
It is envisaged that the Centre will comprise approximately 65 staff across 3 divisions including Operations, Research and Innovation. It is anticipated that this role will have 8-10 reportees, either directly or indirectly and influence over a significant cohort of funded projects across key partners and stakeholders.
The main activities and outputs will include:
- Providing oversight and direction on the management of a portfolio of end-user, collaborative and in-house development projects, ensuring that all agreed deliverables meet or exceed stakeholder expectations
- Providing oversight and management of externally funded multi-party programmes across the quantum computing ecosystem. The first of these programmes is a £35m investment into an early demonstration of quantum advantage
- Directing the requirements for the delivery and construction of detailed and workable implementation plans
- Ensuring effective risk management is in place across all projects, so that risks to NQCC and the wider STFC can be identified and managed from the outset before they become issues
- Driving continuous improvement in all that we do across departments and more widely within STFC
- Developing and delivering a sustainable business case with the government to ensure a balanced portfolio of core funded activities, externally resourced collaborations and externally funded initiatives within NQTP and the necessary resources for delivery
- Management and reporting of NQCC programme resources, budgets and forecasts
- Working in collaboration with the Deputy Director for Research to build long-term programme structures to support and deliver technical roadmap execution
- Working in collaboration with the Deputy Director for Innovation to build long-term programme structures to support and deliver external collaborations and industry partnerships, particularly on application development
- Working in collaboration with the Deputy Director of Operations to build a sustainable programme supporting the operation of NQCC facilities, infrastructure and user access.
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications for shortlisting:
- Degree or equivalent level qualification in a science or engineering-related field
- Proven experience in effectively challenging and influencing at senior management and senior external stakeholder level with significant experience in a senior management position within a hi-tech or science and technology organisation
- Ability to ensure programmes are delivered within agreed timescales, within budget and to a high calibre through the use and implementation of Quality Management and Project management structures
- Demonstrable experience in financial planning and analysis
- Experience in a senior management position within a science and/or technology organisation.
- Proven project/programme management skills
- Experience and commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
- Demonstrable commitment to safe working practices and the well-being of facility users and visitors.
Essential for assessment at Interview:
- Excellent leadership with strong team working and collaboration skills
- Excellent oral and written communication, relationship building and influencing skills
- Excellent decision-making ability, taking measured risks where appropriate
- Driven and achievement-focused
- Results and detail orientated
- Experience in developing and maintaining strategic relationships and partnerships and gaining the respect of stakeholders with an understanding of the strategic and operational environment in which UKRI and the NQCC operate
- Demonstrable capability and judgement to initiate and develop technical programmes, influencing internal and external resource managers
- Demonstrated experience in management and leadership of people and related policies, including employee relations and the inclusion, diversity and equality agenda
- Credibility in the community and with stakeholders with a pre-existing professional network with key stakeholders within quantum computing community and related fields
- An appreciation of governance and risk management principles
- Ability to positively influence stakeholders
Benefits:
We offer an excellent benefits package including a generous defined pension scheme, 30 days annual leave plus an additional 10.5 public and privilege days and many more benefits that will help maintain a healthy work life balance. Join us and discover what’s possible!
SC Clearance:
The post you are applying for attracts a National Security Vetting clearance, there are further eligibility requirements, for further details at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/united-kingdom-security-vetting
To meet national security vetting requirements, you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years for CTC, 5 years for SC and 10 years for DV prior to the date of application. All DV posts are required to be UK Nationals.
You may still be considered if, for example:
- You’ve been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with your parents.
About the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)
As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre, which includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field. The Centre is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
A purpose-built National Quantum Computing Centre will be built and operated by UKRI at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) campus in Oxfordshire. The Centre will be open and operational by December 2022. Until then, the NQCC’s activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. The NQCC will sit alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and will be part of the broader National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).
The primary purpose of the NQCC is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.
The NQCC’s initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards an error and noise-free fault-tolerant machine capability with benchmarking and verification demonstrated in collaboration with the UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit the benefits of working for UKRI.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications are only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and cover letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a cover letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted cover letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
Additional Information
Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) – National Quantum Computing Centre
Contract Type: Open Ended
External Closing Date: Mar 31, 2023
Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 61,227
Hours: Full-time / Part-time