Company Description

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.

UKAEA leads the way in realising fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

Job Description

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

The Role

The Research and Technology Manager at UKAEA leads the Robotics Research and Technology (RRT) teams, focusing on low-TRL research, strategy delivery, academic engagement, and cross-cutting technology development for the Robotics Repurposing and Decommissioning Directorate (RRDD). This role collaborates closely with the Head of RRT, overseeing research programs, technology strategy, and implementation while providing guidance on robotics research and technology operations.

In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the research team, directing program activities, and potentially acting as a deputy for the Head of Research. This role will be reporting to Rob Skilton. You will collaborate with RRDD researchers, engineers, and project managers to uphold safety, efficiency, and quality standards in RRT-related research initiatives. Additionally, you will manage relationships with both internal and external partners, reporting directly to the Head of RRT within the RAICo Division of RRDD.

If you possess financial management expertise, including managing budgets for research projects, as well as experience in program and project management, along with knowledge of key UK and international research funding bodies and their processes, we would be interested in hearing from you.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Oversee all research activities within RRDD to ensure excellence, impact, and timely delivery within budgetary constraints, including managing research governance.
• Manage the pool of RRT technologists and coordinate financial aspects with RRDD Finance Business Partner and program leads.
• Ensure appropriate management of intellectual property and sensitive information, along with direct and indirect line management of RRT researchers and scientists.
• Authorize major project activities and manage RRDD's small research projects portfolio, including identifying funding opportunities and coordinating proposal delivery.
• Plan research capacity and capability, lead recruitment campaigns, and oversee contractual and commercial aspects of research teamwork.
• Coordinate learning and development of the RRT research team, manage RRDD research calendar, and oversee routine activities, including reporting and events.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements:

• Engineering degree or equivalent qualification
• Chartered status in relevant STEM discipline or equivalent experience
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Significant experience of managing an interdisciplinary research team
• Experience of leadership of complex inter-organisational research programmes
• Proven ability to interact efficiently with a diverse range of people in a variety of different situations
• Ability to manage people and equipment to deliver complex research projects
• Understanding of governance, H&S and compliance issues

Desirable:

• Relevant management-related qualifications
• Research qualifications (PhD)

Additional Information

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.