Research Project Manager, Urban Analytics

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.

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Position:

Programme Management

The Alan Turing Institute has a number of Programmes of scientific research in key areas of AI and data science, each led by a Programme Director and/or Co-Directors. 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.

Cities and Regional Science Programme

The Programme seeks to advance its four core missions (mobility, land use, liveability, and digital twins) which are of fundamental importance to the Grand Challenges of the Institute; to develop a technology platform that enables the delivery of the missions; and to build social infrastructure around the Science of Cities and Regions. These goals are only possible by building further capacity at the Turing; increasing its relevance to stakeholders and university partners; consolidating its connectivity to other Turing programmes and activities; and producing world-leading applied research and innovation.

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. We anticipate that the postholder will need to embody core values of initiative, reliability and collaboration in addition to their commitment to our EDI Principles and Our Values.

This role is to co-ordinate and support work within the Urban Analytics 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, the Deputy Director, 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 Urban Analytics programme’s interactions with its research community; this will involve organising meetings and workshops that bring together academic and industry researchers and policy makers.

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 Programme Manager for Urban Analytics

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Research project management and delivery

Coordinate and oversee the delivery of research projects. This will involve:

• Working with the research teams to outline the resource requirements for each project, to support them in applying for funding (if needed), to agree on clear milestones for each project, and to ensure that the deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Working with the Turing’s finance team to draw up detailed financial plans for each project and with the Institute’s legal counsel to put the right contracts in place;
• Providing regular updates to the Institute’s leadership on the progress of each project.
• Working alongside the communications team to disseminate the findings of each project.

Coordinate some of the programme’s events, training, and knowledge exchange initiatives. This will involve:

• Working alongside researchers and the programme’s leadership to identify a suitable venue for each initiative, to shape the agenda, to create the guest list, to publicise the initiative, and to ensure that meeting minutes are taken and distributed.
• 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

With the Programme Manager, coordinate the delivery of strong programme governance. This will involve:

• Managing implementation including meeting arrangements and minute taking.
• 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.
• Maintaining programme documentation on risks and issues and contributing to programme planning.
• Resource planning and financial analysis for the programme. This will involve assisting in the preparation of the programme’s budget and finance reports, anticipating future staffing and operational needs, and working with Partnership Development colleagues to identify potential funding sources.
• Working with the researchers, and Recruitment and HR team as appropriate to manage the recruitment of additional programme researchers. This will involve reviewing job advertisements, organising interview panels, and supporting the onboarding process for new hires.
• Providing day to day support to the Urban Analytics programme team as required.

Requirements:

• Degree or equivalent level of professional qualifications and/or experience
• Strong project management and organisational skills: the ability to plan, execute, and keep on schedule numerous projects in an organised fashion.
• Budget management and general financial processes
• The ability to form and maintain relationships with a wide range of people at all levels
• 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
• Accurate and up to date knowledge of Research Project Management in an Academic environment with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to adapt services and systems to meet customers’ needs and identifies ways of improving standards and to learn from complaints
• Track record of excellent problem solving skills, ideally in settings which require multiple domain specialist cooperation.
• Ability to define, measure, and track key metrics for each project
• Experience in research management in academic environment is desirable

Other information:

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 3533 or 0203 862 3516, or email recruitment@turing.ac.uk.

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 recruitment@turing.ac.uk quoting the job title.

If you are an internal applicant and wish to apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter directly to recruitment@turing.ac.uk and your application will be considered.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 14 May 2023 at 23:59

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a fixed term basis for 2 years. The annual salary is £40,950-£44,100 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 building a diverse community and would like our leadership team to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

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 adjustments@turing.ac.uk 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 HR@turing.ac.uk.