Science and Technology Facilities Council
Job Title: Professional Training Lead for Quantum Computing
Salary: £43,116 – £47,086 gross per annum Dependent on Experience *
Location: RAL, Harwell Campus- Oxfordshire
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time/Part Time (min 80%) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
*This role may be eligible for up to £5000 specialist allowance for suitably qualified candidates
Together, our scientist, 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.
About Us:
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, 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 2024 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).
Our Benefits:
UK Research and Innovation 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 flexible working scheme, Defined benefit pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.
About the Role:
As Professional Training Lead for Quantum Computing, you will work within the Innovation Team and have the unique opportunity to help shape and deliver the NQCC’s initiative on quantum workforce and skills development.
Your main focus will be to work with the Quantum Readiness Delivery Lead to develop the NQCC’s early careers and professional development strategy and then to deliver against that strategy. You will help to identify the skills needs for different quantum job roles through engaging with key internal and external stakeholders (e.g. industry, academia, government), and keeping up to date with the relevant literature.
To address these skills needs you will manage, develop and promote a diverse range of activities including the NQCC’s own PhD programme, training for Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), professional skills courses, skills events and early career placements. An important part of this role is to review and evaluate training materials based on technical knowledge.
The overall aim of this work is to support the development of a skilled quantum workforce to drive quantum industry, through providing a diverse range of accessible opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
• Work with the Quantum Readiness Delivery Lead to help develop the NQCC’s early careers and professional development strategy and deliver against that strategy.
• Establish and coordinate the NQCC’s PhD programme.
• Commission and/or develop quantum computing training courses for professionals and postgraduate students to address identified skills needs.
• Track and manage professional skills activities to ensure their long-term success.
• Lead the delivery of professional skills events e.g. the NQCC’s quantum hackathon.
• Develop standards and criteria that allow assessment of external training partners and NQCC accreditation of relevant training materials.
• Coordinate the NQCC’s activities supporting Centres for Doctoral Training.
• Engage with external (e.g. UKRI Early Careers Team) and internal stakeholders to coordinate early career placement schemes (e.g. apprenticeships, graduate placements).
• Manage the top-level advice and support for e.g. apprentices, NQCC PhD students.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders e.g. industry, academia, government to ensure the skills portfolio addresses relevant skills shortages.
• Ensure relevant audiences are aware of the NQCC’s early career and professional development opportunities by promoting through relevant communication channels, careers fairs and outreach events.
• Represent the NQCC externally at conferences, workshops, and forums as appropriate.
Person Specification:
We offer significant development opportunities at the NQCC, but as a starting point you should be able to demonstrate some of the following;
(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)
• Educated to Degree level, or relevant experience in a field related to quantum computing, including (but not limited to) physics, maths or computer science (S).
• Familiarity with the knowledge and skills required for quantum computing and/or the aptitude to build understanding of the knowledge and skills required (S&I).
• Experience in technical training and skills development including through teaching, creating learning content or designing syllabuses (S&I).
• Experience of running and delivering projects or events (S&I).
• Experience of supporting those early in their careers (S&I).
• Excellent skills in communication and stakeholder management, with the ability to build strong relationships and influence internal and external colleagues and stakeholders (S&I).
• Excellent organisational and teamworking skills, with the ability to respond flexibility and adaptively in planning work. (I)
• Knowledge and understanding of UK postgraduate landscape and funding bodies (S&I).
You would need to be available to occasionally travel/work within the UK and overseas when required. Careers and outreach events may require limited/occasional work at weekends.
How to Apply:
Online applications only for this role. Please submit your CV and a covering letter that clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation to join STFC and the role you’re applying for. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the file name description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit your application without a covering letter may result in your application not being considered.
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.
Additional Information
- Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) – National Quantum Computing Centre
- Contract Type: Open Ended
- External Closing Date: Feb 15, 2024
- Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 43,116
- Hours: Full-time / Part-time