Named in honour of Alan Turing, the Institute is a place for inspiring, exciting work and we need passionate, sharp, and innovative people who want to use their skills to contribute to our mission to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better.

Please find more information about us here.

Academic Engagement is the Institute’s gateway to UK universities and top research talent. The Academic Engagement team coordinate the Institute’s internal and external fellowship schemes, the Turing University Network (currently with 65 university members), researcher engagement schemes such as Turing Interest Groups and Theory and Method Challenge Fortnights, and broader engagement with universities across the UK. All of these areas continue to evolve as the Institute matures.

The Turing AI Fellowships are a £46 million initiative created as part of the AI Sector Deal’s ambitious skills and talent package aimed at retaining, attracting and developing the best and brightest AI international researchers. Fellows from a wide variety of disciplines undertake world-leading creative and innovative AI research, working in collaboration with partners from other sectors to accelerate the impact of their research. The Institute co-delivers the Turing AI Fellowships in partnership with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) on behalf of UKRI, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The Institute welcomed the UK’s first cohort of five Turing AI Fellows in Autumn 2019. Following subsequent calls, the cohort has since grown to 27 fellows. Further information about the Turing AI Fellowships, including the different cohort of fellows, is available here.

ROLE PURPOSE

Reporting to the Fellowships Manager, this role primarily coordinates cohort activity for the Turing AI Fellows working closely with UKRI and DSIT, maintains strong relationships with the fellows individually, and seeks to involve them in Institute activity as appropriate. The postholder will work closely with members of the Academic Engagement team, various teams across the Institute, contacts at UKRI and DSIT, and contacts across the Turing University Network. There is substantial overlap between Institute fellowships and the role will also support elements of the Turing’s other flagship Fellowship schemes.

The duties and responsibilities of the role may evolve and change as the Institute, and its schemes, evolve. Full time (1.0 FTE) secondments from any of the Turing’s partners will be considered.

ROLE PROFILE

Academic Engagement is a people-facing team, working closely with researchers and key academic stakeholders. Team members are required to be effective communicators in all forms with the ability to engage with diverse audiences, be personable, engaging, and feel comfortable representing the Institute externally.

There is an unprecedented pace of change as data science and AI technologies continue to develop and the nature of our work is constantly evolving. Ideal candidates will need to be outcomes-focused, proactive, adaptable, with a positive can-do attitude.

The role is an excellent opportunity for someone excited by the prospect of working closely with and supporting top talent in UK data science and AI, of building a community of academics at universities across the UK, of organising impactful bespoke events, meetings and workshops, and working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple Institute teams.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with fellows, understanding their priorities and current activity, and linking in with Turing activity as appropriate. Act as the primary contact for all Turing AI Fellow matters relating to cohort management and a contact point for enquiries and advice for fellows.
• Work closely with the Fellowships Manager, UKRI, DSIT, Turing’s business team and UK universities to coordinate all cohort management activity relating to the Turing AI Fellowship scheme. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring all fellows are embedded within the Institute, coordinating bespoke events for the fellows and their teams, ensuring they stay up to date with Institute news and developing opportunities for fellows to engage with industry and government leaders.
• Plan, shape and deliver a range of impactful and inclusive online and in-person events and community engagement activity (e.g. workshops, networking events, training sessions, a monthly fellow coffee morning). This includes, but is not limited to, speaker invitations, pre- and post-event communications to delegates and attendees, event registration, catering, venue coordination and on-site support. Evaluate events and make evidence-based recommendations for future events.
• Working with members of the Academic Engagement team, draft and coordinate appropriate content for regular email newsletters to Turing AI Fellows to ensure they are aware of all opportunities to engage and remain up to date with Institute news and news from across the broader data science/AI landscape.
• Champion the fellowships across the Institute - provide support, clear communication, updates and guidance to Turing staff on Institute fellowships. Ensure an in-depth understanding of the scheme to secure support and buy-in from across the Institute.
• Support the broader cohort of post docs and students connected to the Turing AI Fellowships. This includes, but is not limited to, organising and leading regular meetings, coordinating all communication and updates, and other activity contributing to community building.
• Coordinate administrative elements of the fellowships including but not limited to, developing and maintaining support resources for fellows, secretariat support at cohort management meetings, relevant Intranet pages, co-manage the shared fellowships inbox, and champion and maintain the Institute’s CRM and Purchase Management (finance) system.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualifications and/or experience
• Detailed understanding of and notable experience in the research environment in Higher Education
• Demonstrable experience of working co-operatively, effectively, independently, and confidently with senior academics and a diverse range of researchers
• Proven track record of planning and delivering complex events, speaker opportunities, webinars and other engagement opportunities, both online and in person
• Demonstrable experience of working independently and proactively to ensure a project’s success
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Basic knowledge of data protection legislation

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.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2024 at 23:59 (London UK BST)

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early or to interview suitable candidates before the closing date if enough applications are received.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a fixed term basis until December 2025. The annual salary is £39,189 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. We expect staff to come to our office at least 4 days per month. Some roles may require more days in the office; the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

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 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].