The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

The Academic Engagement team coordinate the Institute’s internal and external fellowship schemes, the university network of thirteen university partners, the university liaison function (Turing University Leads and University Liaison Managers at Turing university partners), researcher engagement schemes such as Interest Groups and Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights, and broader engagement with universities across the UK. All of these areas are anticipated to expand further as the Institute matures.

Interest Groups enable researchers to gather around shared areas of interest in data science and AI with the aim of sharing ideas and knowledge, sparking new ideas for research collaboration and projects and to communicate emerging scientific concepts to the wider Institute and beyond.

Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights are two-week events where teams from university partners and external institutions collaborate to begin to tackle foundational challenges in data science and AI. Each event focuses on tackling a specific theoretical or methodological challenge that has the potential to impact data science and artificial intelligence at a fundamental level.

ROLE PURPOSE

Reporting to the Senior Academic Engagement Manager, this new role will principally manage and coordinate the Institute’s Interest Groups and Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights (TMCF) initiatives, both of which are anticipated to grow and develop further as the Institute matures.

The postholder will work closely with various teams across the Institute to develop both initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to, Communications and Engagement, Programme Management, Finance, Legal and the University Liaison teams. They will work closely with the Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights Lead for the delivery of TMCF.

The role is an excellent opportunity for someone excited by the prospect of developing and shaping Institute processes and schemes, building academic communities, working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple Institute teams and acting as an Institute representative to external partners and researchers across the UK.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Interest Groups

• Manage all elements of the Turing’s Interest Groups (IG) initiative: provide updates and oversee all communication to IG organisers, ensure the website remains up to date, monitor budgets and expenditure, provide guidance and advice to IG organisers, respond to general queries from in- and outside the Institute and lead on other processes as they arise.
• Act as the primary lead between the Institute, its teams and IG organisers, and a contact point for enquiries and advice.
• Lead and manage all aspects of the application process for new IGs and support applicants as required.
• Work closely with colleagues in the Programme Management Unit and Communications and Engagement team to develop clear processes, best practice and a toolkit for IG organisers to facilitate and lead their groups.
• Working with the legal team, ensure appropriate contracts and agreements are in place for each IG.
• Organise the IG annual reporting process: manage the platform, communications, review panel and process, feedback and evaluation. Create reports for Institute committees as required.
• Oversee the expansion and development of the IG initiative, linking to the Institute’s strategic aims where possible.
• Coordinate any funding made available to IGs including, but not limited to, administering funding applications and proposals, budget tracking, travel and expenses, and reporting.

Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights

• Oversee the planning and delivery of Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights (TMCF) events, ensuring they are managed to business requirements, specification, time and budget. Work with local organisers and university partners as required.
• Provide support and advice to the Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights Lead in the implementation of robust programme management processes and protocols.
• Lead the call and application process: develop the call document with the Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights Lead, coordinate promotion and communications, manage the application platform, support applicants as required and manage the voting process.
• Act as the primary lead between the Institute and TMCF Challenge Leads and guide them through the various requirements on them pre-, during, and post-event. Provide support to the challenge team on all operational and logistical matters.
• Act as primary lead and liaise with external delivery partners as required.
• Manage all post-event reporting and impact tracking and create reports for Institute committees as required.

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualifications and / or experience
• Experience of research/academic administration and an understanding of the research environment in Higher Education
• Experience of working co-operatively and effectively with academics
• Ability to work flexibly, under pressure, balance competing priorities/workloads and to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to apply judgement to complex situations
• Demonstrable success working on projects across many teams and with multiple stakeholders
• Experience of managing small-scale events

Please see the Job Description for a full breakdown of the person specification.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3575 or 0203 862 3340, or email [email protected].

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to [email protected] quoting the job title.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 28TH SEPTEMBER AT 23.59, depending on the number of applications we could be interviewing shortlisted candidates before the closing date. We reserve the right to close this advert once we have found a suitable candidate.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full time post is initially offered on a one year fixed term basis. The annual salary is £35,000-£40,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to building a diverse community and would like our leadership teal to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be made for any candidates with a disability.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].