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 Research Engineering Group supports the research work of the Institute by developing software and by undertaking data science projects to address real-world modelling challenges. We collaborate with Turing Fellows, Turing Partner Organisations, and other researchers, usually by working with these groups on projects.
The Group’s staff comprises about 30 research software engineers and research data scientists. At any one time, the team may be working on 20–30 projects, each lasting between a few months and a few years. Team members typically work on two projects simultaneously. In addition, the team has certain other responsibilities to the Turing, including providing support for certain computing platforms and software and supporting the Programmes in developing projects. The Group works on a cost-recovery model under which it is mandated to recover the majority of its costs from this project work. Thus it is important for us to have a “full pipeline” of work without over-committing to work we cannot deliver.
A significant challenge within the Group is therefore managing its portfolio of projects and the allocation of individuals to those projects. This work requires the following activities, among others:
The group presently manages this challenge through a combination of outsourced systems (“Forecast” and “GitHub”) and manual processes. Over the next year we plan to develop better reporting and monitoring systems and we may eventually replaced some of the outsourced functionality with in-house software.
ROLE PURPOSE
The holder of this role will be responsible for the process described above, ensuring that the Group has a good understanding of its current and future projects, that individuals are appropriately allocated to projects, and that likely scheduling conflicts or under-resourced projects are identified.
The role will report directly to the Director of the Research Engineering Group. The holder will need to coordinate with the Programme Management team, Finance, and members of the Group.
The holder will be responsible for adapting the current processes as necessary or appropriate, either because the team is growing or because the holder feels that a different process would be more effective. We would expect the holder to assist in the transition to in-house software by providing feedback on usability and functionality as they will be one of the main users of that software.
The holder will also be responsible for undertaking administrative tasks that the Director may from time to time require.
DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The main duties of this role are:
Other duties
Essential
Desirable
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 them on 0203 862 3340, or email [email protected].
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 6th June 2021 at 23:59.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This full time post is offered on a fixed term basis for 12 months. The annual salary is £26,500-£28,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits
This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to change as the demands of the Institute and the role develop. The role requires flexibility and adaptability and the post holder needs to be aware that they may be asked to perform tasks and be given responsibilities not detailed in this job description.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. 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.
Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can also be made for any candidates with a disability.
Please note all offers of employment are subject to continuous eligibility 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].