Director of Science and Innovation-Fundamental Research

Alan Turing Institute London United Kingdom Senior Leadership
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Company Description

Named in honour of Alan Turing, The Institute undertakes inspiring, exciting work. We need passionate, sharp, and innovative people to apply their skills to our mission to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) research to change the world for the better. Please find more information about us here.

Position

Join us as we define a new era for The Alan Turing Institute. With renewed energy and focus, we will pursue our purpose to make great leaps in data science and AI in order to change the world for the better.


We have three ambitious interconnected goals:

  • Advance world-class research and apply it to national and global challenges.
  • Build skills for the future.
  • Drive an informed public conversation.

At the heart of our work is fundamental research. Now more than ever we must advance our efforts to maintain and develop the foundations of world-class data science and AI research. The Institute’s capabilities in fundamental data science and AI will be crucial to our ambition to create an end-to-end interdisciplinary pathway and power progress towards the Institute’s grand challenges in health, defence & security, and environment & sustainability.


We are now looking for an ambitious and inspirational leader, to drive the Institute’s capabilities in fundamental data science and AI.

Reporting to the Institute’s Chief Scientist, this role will form part of the Science and Innovation leadership team and will take collective responsibility for delivering impact at scale in alignment with our vision for Turing 2.0.


ROLE PURPOSE

We are seeking a diverse set of Directors of Science and Innovation and are interested to hear from candidates with experience and successes both within the norms of academia and traditional research environments and outside. The ideal candidate will be an effective leader with the ability of taking vision into execution.


Collaborative by nature you will be delivering real-world impact in terms of science and innovation, building skills for the future and helping to drive an informed conversation around this fast-moving technology.


You will take on an enabling role, helping to make big things happen for the UK and the Turing by removing existing barriers to use data science and AI to solve some of the most pressing challenges.


MAINS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Providing leadership

  • Lead and motivate an agile team with responsibility for developing, dynamically communicating, and implementing action plans, that deliver against the Institute’s strategic priorities.
  • Lead innovative world-leading science and innovation that delivers impact nationally and internationally with and for academia, industry, the public and third sector, achieving wide-ranging public and societal benefit.

Working with stakeholders

  • Develop new and nurture strategic external relationships with partner organisations in academia, industry, the public and third sector.

Developing culture

  • Promote the Institute’s vision, purpose and values to colleagues and stakeholders internally and externally.
  • Act as a role model, in alignment with Turing values, identifying, encouraging and developing talent and innovative ideas within the organisation.

Act as a figurehead

  • Represent the Institute at the highest levels of academia, industry, the public and third sector, as well as other appropriate organisations and stakeholders.
  • Be a public voice for the Institute helping to drive the conversation regarding safe, ethical and responsible development and adoption of data science and AI in industry, the public and third sector, as well as society more broadly.
  • Act as an informed national voice for your specialism, working with media, events and other public platforms to drive thought leadership.

Requirements

  • Record of world-leading excellence in an academic, government and/or industrial setting, in the field of data science and/or AI.
  • Strong scientific track record evidenced by senior authorship of publications in prestigious international journals.
  • Proven leadership track record across research and innovation programmes either in an academic or commercial organisation.
  • In depth understanding of the national data science and AI landscape.
  • Ability to establish strategic and long-lasting relationships with national and international stakeholders and long term strategic plans.
  • Can translate vision into execution.
  • For Fundamental Data Science and AI Research only: Strong scientific track record evidenced by senior authorship of publications in prestigious international journals.

Please visit our portal for a full breakdown of the Job Description.

Other information

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The roles will be appointed on a permanent basis, or alternatively could be for a minimum of a fixed term of 5 years.


In exceptional circumstances we can accommodate secondments on an interim basis before engaging in a permanent employment contract. You must be willing to commit at least 80% of your time to the Turing with a maximum of 20% of your time working on non-conflicting activities at your home organisation.


The Institute is headquartered in Kings Cross, London and so while we operate a hybrid working model you will be expected to spend time there each month to connect to your peer group and to work with teams across the Institute.


The position offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits


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 3536, 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.


If you are an internal applicant and wish to apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter directly to [email protected] and your application will be considered. Please make sure that you include a Cover Letter with your application.


CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Tuesday 31 October 2023 at 23:59


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 team to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.


We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at [email protected] to find out how we can assist you.


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].