- Salary: £38,969 – £43,300 per annum (depending on experience)
- Based RAL, Oxford
Background
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 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.
The Role
We have an exciting new opportunity for an experienced Programme Manager with extensive project and programme management skills, coupled with technical expertise in a relevant discipline to support the delivery of the NQCC core objectives.
The Programme Manager will work alongside the Operations and Research Directors to ensure timely, assured and cost effective delivery of the NQCC work streams and technology roadmap within established constraints and to maximize the benefits. The Programme Manager will ensure that suitable management of the projects is in place to enable credible planning and informed decision making, and will undertake accurate and informative reporting as well as ensuring the maintenance of appropriate project tools. The NQCC follows closely the approach promoted by the UK Association for Project Management whilst being tailored for use within a collaborative science environment. The Programme Manager will be expected to help develop these methods and processes as part of the NQCC Operations team.
The role will include:
- Managing projects within a portfolio of development programmes and projects, ensuring that all agreed deliverables meet or exceed stakeholder expectations
- Identifying the requirements for delivery and construct a detailed and workable project plan, with critical path, and ensure adherence to the delivery dates, keeping the project on track
- 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
- Maintaining project documentation (including RAID Log, Project Initiation Document/Business Case, Milestone Log, Project Update Reports, Project Plan/Gantt Chart, Communications Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Map, Lessons Learned Log, Budgets, Benefits Realisation) and communicate project updates to stakeholders
- Following best practices, techniques, and tools for project management and planning, tailoring as appropriate to the situation. Ensure that problem resolution is handled appropriately and escalated when a decision is required at a more senior level or another business area
- Helping develop new processes within the department for the operation and maintenance of projects including updating progress and resource allocations, populating project report templates, maintaining risk and issue logs and any other documentation as necessary.
Skills and Experience Required
Essential Criteria:
- Educated to degree level in a relevant engineering, technical or science discipline or HNC/HND in relevant engineering, technical or science discipline with significant relevant experience
- Project and Programme Management experience in the field of scientific or technology delivery
- Technical or scientific experience relevant to the post
- Public sector institution Monitoring & Evaluation processes and reporting
- Significant demonstrable Project and Programme Management experience in the field of scientific or technology delivery
- Recognized project management qualifications (PRINCE OR APMP) or relevant experience
- Significant experience in monitoring project performance, milestones and evaluation criteria
- Extensive IT skills including the following applications; MS Office & MS Project
- A good understanding of basic engineering principals and manufacturing drawings
- Familiar with a range of professional tools and methods related to programme delivery
- Pragmatic attitude towards the work of others, particularly in a collaborative environment where there is no line-management control of participants
- Eye for detail interpreting and presenting project performance data.
Desirable:
- Experience of project delivery within an ISO9001 quality management system
- Experience of working within UKRI PMO and monitoring & evaluation structures or similar organisation
- Understanding of high performance computing and/or relevant related technologies
- Experience using and developing Product Lifecycle Management systems
- Appreciation of Risk Analysis
- Appreciation of Health, Safety and Environment
- Familiarity with UKRI policies and procedures
- Technical expertise in quantum computing is not required as part of the role since this is provided by the project’s scientific and technical participants.
- Consideration will be given to a less experienced individual if there is evidence of potential and enthusiasm to grow into the role.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.
One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
How to Apply
Online applications only for this role. Please submit your CV and a covering letter which 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 filename 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.
About UKRI
Launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). UK Research and Innovation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. More information can be found at https://www.ukri.org/.
Additional Information
Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Contract Type: Open Ended
External Closing Date: Feb 3, 2021
Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 38,969
Hours: Full-time