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.

Programme Management

The Alan Turing Institute has ten Programmes of scientific research in key areas of AI and data science, each led by a Programme Director. There are also a small number of significant programmes of activity which sit across several research Programmes.

This role sits within the Institute’s Programme Management directorate, which is responsible for the management and delivery of these programmes in support of the senior academic Programme Directors and Principal Investigators. The team oversees millions of pounds of data science and AI research, training and knowledge exchange programme initiatives in these programmes, ensuring they are managed to business requirements, specification, time and budget.

AI for Science and Government (ASG)

At the end of 2018, the Alan Turing Institute was awarded a five-year £38.8 million research programme through UKRI’s Strategic Priorities Fund. AI for Science and Government (ASG) is delivered in partnership with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and in collaboration with a number of other research councils.

The research activities will support UK priority areas which are nested within existing Institute programmes and aims to deploy AI and data science through six themes, as well through cross-theme activity:

Themes

• Digital Twins: Urban Analytics underpinning the planning system;
• Digital Twins: Complex Engineering Systems in industry;
• Health: revolutionising health services through precision medicine;
• Criminal Justice System, laying foundations for AI in government departments and agencies;
• AI for Science: delivering AI into national labs;
• Tools, Practices and Systems, bringing best practice into domain areas.

Cross theme projects

• Shock and resilience – Measuring policy impact in the COVID-19 crisis and building resilience against future shocks
• Ecosystem of Digital Twins – Brining together multidisciplinary expertise in urban analytics, complex systems engineering and economics
• Environment and sustainability – Using data science and AI to tackle environmental and climate challenges

ROLE PURPOSE

A Research Project Manager at the Turing coordinates the implementation and delivery of advanced data science, AI and modelling research projects, and research engineering innovations in data, software and collaborative practices. This role is to coordinate and support work across the AI for Science and Government programme.

The post holder will work within the ASG programme team comprising the ASG Programme Chair, ASG Programme Director, Associate Director and the ASG Programme Manager, to ensure the delivery of the programme outputs and the achievement of the outcomes. This team is supported by a dedicated Finance Business Partner.

The post holder will work with the programme’s scientific leadership, project leads, academic researchers and the other Research Project Managers who are are responsible for managing ASG theme or cross-theme research, to coordinate each research project from concept to implementation; this will involve understanding the resource requirements for each project, drawing up detailed financial plans, coordinating funding applications, negotiating funding or collaboration contracts, agreeing on clear milestones for each project, ensuring that the deliverables are completed on schedule, as well as providing regular updates to the Institute’s leadership on the progress of each project.

Working closely with theme Research Project Managers, the Research Project Manager (ASG) will help to ensure activities are coordinated and consistent across all themes.

The role currently reports to the ASG Programme Manager.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Research project management and delivery

• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of research projects.
• Coordinate some of the programme’s events, training, and knowledge exchange initiatives.
• Maintain up-to-date records that enable effective monitoring, control and evaluation of the programme’s research initiatives.
• Coordinate the creation of the quarterly ASG newsletter
• Produce and collate regular reports on activity to external partners and funders.

Programme operations and resources management

• With the Programme Manager, coordinate the delivery of strong programme governance. This will involve managing the ASG programme’s Management Board and External Advisory Board, including developing the agendas with the Programme Chair and Director, drafting or collating relevant board papers, minuting meetings and ensuring records of all key decisions and discussions.
• Working with the HR team as appropriate, organise the recruitment of additional researchers or business team staff. This may involve writing job advertisements, organising interview panels, and overseeing the onboarding process for new hires.
• Provide day-to-day support to the ASG programme team as required

• Degree or equivalent level of professional qualifications and/or experience.
• Strong project management and organisational skills: Ability to plan, execute and keep on schedule with numerous projects in an organised fashion.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Experience of working closely with Finance Team, and of budget management and financial processes including budget planning, reporting, and reconcilliations.
• Clear and effective communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to adapt style to suit a wide range of people and audiences at all levels.
• The ability to form and maintain relationships with a wide range of people at all levels.
• Independently make decisions which impact themselves or immediate team members. Escalate decisions where appropriate.
• Consider possible solutions to identify those which offer wider benefits, and obtain evidence to support thinking.

Please see the Job description for a full breakdown of the duties and responsibilities as well as 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 020 3862 3546 or email [email protected].

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 02 February 2022 at 23:59

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a fixed term basis to 31st May 2023. 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].