- Job Title: Quantum Readiness Delivery Lead
Salary: £50,702-£56,336 (Band F) gross per annum dependent on experience. Specialist Allowances may be available *
Position: 2 x Open-ended
Hours: Part Time/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.
Who are we?
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.
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, a Defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution – currently up to 26%), 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and a number of other benefits.
What’s the purpose of this role?
We are recruiting for the new role of Quantum Readiness Delivery Lead, to champion and manage the delivery of the NQCC’s flagship engagement programme. The quantum readiness programme’s central aim is to help prepare the UK to fully realise the benefits of quantum computing. It involves initiatives related to training and skills, networking, collaborative R&D, engagement and outreach, the foundational elements for which are already in place.
You will work as part of the Innovation directorate, alongside business development and user engagement specialists (sector leads), to deliver quantum readiness activities aligned to the key themes of: awareness, engagement, evaluation, action and advocacy. You will engage with the NQCC’s stakeholders in industry, academia and the public sector to build relationships and enable delivery. We are seeking self-starters who are strategically minded, pro-active and can readily apply their knowledge to understand technical and sector challenges.
These activities meet the NQCC’s goals of delivering scalable quantum computing capabilities in support of our technology roadmap and building a quantum-ready UK economy.
Key projects will include quantum readiness for critical industry verticals such as Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals, Advanced Materials, Energy, Healthcare, Security and Bio-Chemistry. Project support is provided via Quality Assurance, Monitoring & Evaluation, Procurement and Project Leader support staff within the Operations team, as well as quantum information processing specialists across the technology team and external expertise.
What will I be doing?
- Managing delivery and acting as a champion of the NQCC’s flagship engagement programme on quantum readiness, ensuring the appropriate planning, resourcing and timely execution
- Acting as an advocate for quantum computing as an important emerging technology for the UK
- Building strong relationships and co-ordinating with NQCC staff and other internal stakeholders, including across business development, user engagement, comms and marketing, to ensure successful delivery
- Building strong relationships and coordinating with external stakeholders, including other research and technology organisations, government, industry, business, trade associations and standards & regulatory bodies.
- Taking responsibility for scoping and organising delivery of appropriate training courses and learning tools related to quantum computing, ranging from short courses for students through to continuing professional development (CPD).
- Managing the delivery of calls for collaborative R&D project proposals. This is to include scoping calls, preparing the relevant documentation, defining the evaluation criteria based on standard assessment procedures, running the evaluation process and ensuring the necessary funding mechanisms and agreements are in place to enable project delivery
- Delivering engagement activities to build stakeholder networks that enable knowledge exchange and the sharing of ideas
- Working with the NQCC’s sector leads to ensuring global coordination and facilitation of user engagement activities.
- Working with the NQCC’s outreach and engagement officer to ensure the successful coordination and delivery of outreach activities
- Preparing reports and making presentations on the quantum readiness programme for a range of audiences, including for the purpose of reporting to the NQCC’s senior management
- Tracking spend, assessing delivery risks and putting in place suitable mitigation strategies
- Tracking delivery of the quantum readiness programme, ensuring that the benefits and impacts are captured through the NQCC’s performance monitoring and evaluation framework
- Representing the NQCC externally at conferences, workshops, forums and in the media as appropriate
- Making site visits to commercial and academic partners, as needed
- Presenting work at internal and external meetings both within the UK and internationally
- Working within the ISO9001 Quality Management System
- Driving continuous improvement within the Centre.
What experience do I need?
The successful candidate must exhibit a pragmatic demeanor towards the work of others, particularly in a collaborative environment, whilst having a good eye for detail in interpreting and presenting technical and market data.
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)
Essential:
• Educated to at least a Degree level or with equivalent experience in a field relevant to quantum computing, including (but not limited to) physics, maths or computer science (S)
• Demonstrable prior experience and/or a broad-based knowledge relevant to quantum computing or a closely associated field (S&I)
• Proven ability to run, manage and report on complex projects and/or programmes (S&I)
• Experience in stakeholder management in a client-facing, user engagement or outreach role, with a track record of building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships (S&I)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders (S&I)
• Computer literate with skills and experience in the use of MS Office as a minimum (S)
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work in a dynamic environment (S&I)
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, but also demonstrate autonomy within your area of responsibility (S&I)
• Knowledge or experience in measuring and monitoring performance and impact (S&I).
Desirable
• Significant experience of industry-focused end-user engagement or experience in a client-facing role (S&I)
• A proven ability to synthesise business/market data to inform decision-making (S&I)
• An understanding of the international landscape for quantum computing, including the key stakeholders, prospective applications, use cases and/or market opportunities (S&I)
• Experience in project delivery within an ISO9001 quality management system (I)
• Appreciation of health, safety and environment (I)
• Availability to travel/work within the UK and overseas, when required (I).
How to apply
Online applications are 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 file name 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.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.