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.

There are a number of Programme and Research Project Managers within the team, usually focussed on one research Programme or programme of activity, but who may provide programme and project management capabilities and support to other projects or activities from time to time as required. Programme managers and Research project managers are not permanently attached to programmes and may be moved to other research programmes in-line with business needs, and may have the opportunity to support other programmes, both ad-hoc or more formally.

Data Science for Science and Humanities programme

The main aim of the programme is to ensure that research across science and the humanities can make effective use of state of the art methods in artificial intelligence and data science.

The programme works closely with researchers across the Turing’s university partner network and with national research facilities including STFC, British Antarctic Survey, Norwich BioScience Institutes and the Met Office. Key programme areas include climate science, digital humanities, environmental intelligence, molecular biology and net zero.

The programme is led by Programme Director, Professor Jon Rowe.

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 co-ordinate and support work within the Science theme of the Data Science for Science and Humanities programme. It will include administering a portfolio of high impact research projects, as well as overseeing, planning, organising and communicating the activities generated by those projects.

The post holder will work with the Programme Director, theme leads, and academic researchers 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.

The post holder will also coordinate the Data Science for Science and Humanities programme’s interactions with the science research community; this will involve organising meetings and workshops that bring together academic and industry researchers and policy makers. The post holder will be instrumental in ensuring that the Turing’s Data Science for Scence and Humanities programme runs smoothly and delivers on its ambitious aim to ensure that science research makes effective use of state of the art methods in artificial intelligence and data science.

The Research Project Manager will need to liaise closely with Institute research and operations staff, in London, at university and research centre partners, to perform their duties. Management of small projects in other areas may also be required, subject to business needs.

This role reports to the Senior Programme Manager, Portfolio.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Research project management and delivery

• Coordinate and oversee the high-quality delivery of ground-breaking, multi-disciplinary research projects as part of several research workstreams.
• 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;
• Produce regular reports on activity to external partners and funders.

Programme Operations and Resources Management

• Perform resources planning and financial analysis for the programme. This will involve assisting in the preparation of the programme’s budget, anticipating future staffing and operational needs, identifying potential funding sources, as well as managing the programme’s office space and payment of expenses;
• Coordinate the delivery of strong programme governance. This will involve developing, writing, and editing reports and presentations for the Institute’s senior leaders, Board of Trustees, and funders, which outline the programme’s progress and initiatives.
• Working with the HR team, organise the recruitment of additional programme researchers or administrative staff. This will involve writing job advertisements, organising interview panels, and overseeing the onboarding process for new hires;
• Provide day-to-day support to the Programme Director and programme research leadership

• 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: 27 March 2022 at 23:59

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full time post is offered on a permanent 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]

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.

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter.

From 01 March 2022 we will trial a Hybrid Working Model for an initial six-month trial period. During this period, staff will be expected to work at our British Library office for a number of days per month, dependent on the requirements of the role. As a guide, we anticipate this will be between 2-4 days per month, but the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.