ESA Phi Lab Operations Manager

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Job Title: ESA Phi Lab Operations Manager
Salary: £54,043 per annum
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (6 years)
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

STFC has secured the contract to run the UK's first ESA Φ-lab. The objective of a Φ-lab is to support the growth of space commercialisation via disruptive innovation with applied research which leads to new products and services and/or space-based solutions. Our Φ-lab will focus on sustainability in space.

We are looking to recruit a ESA Φ-lab operations manager who will be required to pull together the activities of the ESA Φ-lab working closely with ESA Φ-lab partners and stakeholders, including RAL Space, ESA, UKSA and other space sector networks and collaborators.

Key Responsibilities include:

- Lead the ESA Φ-lab UK operations and promote its activities;

- Ensure a high-quality deal-flow of applicants to the ESA Φ-lab UK by identifying potential applicants and supporting them to develop and submit applications to the programme;

- Deliver ESA Φ-lab UK programme targets (e.g., number of new projects per year, number of projects accessing technical support);

- Engage with potential research projects to determine its innovation(s) and commercial potential;

- Ensure that research projects complete their scope of work and fully exploit its technical and commercial potential;

- Collaborate with the STFC's Impact and Engagement team to promote the ESA Phi Lab UK and its impact;

- Work closely with STFC's cluster development teams to maximise the impact of our support for the research projects; and

-Work closely with the established ESA BIC team, sharing pipeline, impacts and best practice.

Person Specification:

Essential

- Educated to Degree level or equivalent industry experience;

- Experience of working with technology-based organisations and knowledge of the support they require;

- Ability to evaluate the quality and innovativeness of a potential research project, and to provide constructive, action-oriented feedback and recommendations;

- Business development experience with demonstrable evidence of having grown and managed a pipeline of business opportunities;

- A track record in managing one or more projects / programmes to time and on budget;

- Good organisational skills including time management and prioritisation. Able to deliver timely, high-quality updates and formal reports on project/programme progress and deliverables;

- Excellent communication (oral and written), networking and presentation skills, including the ability to interface with technical, commercial, and research audiences;

- Good understanding of early stage technology development and IPR management;

- Strong knowledge of the space sector and demonstrable network of contacts.

Desirable

- Further education in science/engineering or business related subjects (e.g. MBA);

- Project management qualifications (e.g. APMP, PRINCE 2);

- Membership of a relevant professional institution;

• Familiarity with the objectives of STFC, ESA and UKSA.

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role or a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel.

We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.