Job Title: Quantum Cluster Manager
Salary: £51,716 -£57,463 (Band F) gross per annum dependent on experience. Specialist Allowances may be available for suitably qualified candidates
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time / Part Time- Minimum 4 days per week (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
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.
Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.
Harwell Campus is developing clusters focussed on key high-potential sectors of the UK economy and encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration between clusters across the campus and beyond to spark innovation and fresh thinking. The power of clustering is well documented, and numerous benefits derive from the physical concentration of related businesses and science-led capabilities in one geographical area. The current clusters are Space, Energy, & Health at Harwell and Health, Space and Digital at Daresbury. This role will develop and manage a new Cluster in Quantum, with a primary focus at Harwell.
The Quantum Cluster Manager will jointly report to the Director of Clusters and Harwell Campus Business Development, STFC and the Deputy Director – Innovation, National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), working closely with both teams and also with the Harwell Joint Venture Partnership.
The NQCC is a new research institution dedicated to accelerating the development of quantum computing. The Centre works with businesses, government and the research community towards delivering quantum computing capabilities for the UK and supporting the growth of the emerging industry. As a national lab, the NQCC will act as an anchor research institution for the new cluster.
The key elements of this role are:
• Developing the strategy for the new Quantum Cluster: This involves working closely with cluster stakeholders: UKRI, partners in the National Quantum Technologies Programme and key opinion leaders across the UK, to develop a coherent and joined up strategy for the cluster. Launching the new cluster and the strategy at a high-level event
• Supporting the growth of companies within the Quantum Cluster: ensuring that companies are benefiting from being part of the Cluster and that through the cluster they connect to the wider UK Quantum sector and to opportunities across the wider cluster network. This involves:
o Communicating with the Cluster organisations through regular newsletters, social media and in person at events, external conferences or direct meetings
o Understanding the needs and aspirations of cluster organisations and the opportunities within the wider cluster network
o Leveraging opportunities by connecting organisations, as appropriate
o Organising events, including a large annual Quantum event, company roundtables and workshops that are relevant to the organisations in the Cluster
o Working closely with the other Cluster Managers in the team, the NQCC and with other quantum clusters across the UK and internationally
• Work to exploit the cross-disciplinary activities inherent in the Harwell Campus for the benefit of the Quantum community and other
• Develop links to regional clusters around the UK to mutual benefit and the benefit of the UK economy, including the Sci-Tech Daresbury Campus and Edinburgh and other quantum centres of excellence, proactively supporting the Levelling up Agenda
• Build, maintain and refresh the strategy for the Quantum Cluster by identifying critical success factors to attract key players and accelerate the growth of the Quantum Cluster by engaging in new opportunities
• Work with Impact and Engagement colleagues to promote the offer of the Quantum Cluster locally, nationally and internationally
• Articulate the Quantum Cluster offer to businesses that are contemplating growing or investing in Harwell, via event attendance and managing the generation of leads from this, from inception through to delivery of an agreed development, partnering and funding plan
• Support/lead the development of tenders and bid inputs, ensuring effective negotiations of commercial deals and delivery of successful outcomes to boost innovation and growth within the cluster and stronger connectivity to the rest of the UK
• Track metrics of performance and growth of the Harwell Quantum cluster
Person Specification
Essential
• Educated to degree level in a field related to science, engineering, technology or business or equivalent relevant experience
• Demonstrable knowledge of the quantum technologies industry and the international landscape, including the key actors, market opportunities and end use sectors
• Demonstratable experience in creating and developing business strategies and with the ability to think, plan and operate strategically
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to formulate and deliver plans, and lead teamwork, with demonstrable impact
• Experience in writing successful business cases and/or funding proposals
• Excellent skills in communication, negotiation and stakeholder management, with the ability to influence key stakeholders, build collaborative relationships and deliver complex messages to a wide range of audiences
• Project management skills with experience of the whole project lifecycle including appraisals and finance
• Ability to prioritise work, manage time effectively, and complete objectives within agreed standards and deadlines
Special Requirements
Must be able to travel within the UK and abroad
Our Benefits
UKRI recognises and values employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a defined benefit pension scheme and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.
Join us and discover what’s possible!
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 salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
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 only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering 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 covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.