Graduate Project Manager Didcot 2021

RAL Space provides world-leading space research and technology development, space test facilities, instrument and mission design, and studies of science and technology requirements for new missions. The Department has established a long-standing heritage of excellence in space flight going back over 50 years, with significant involvement in over 200 space missions! It has a unique position at the heart of the interaction between the UK government, space industry and academia.

The Imaging Systems Division (ISD) is one of the key engineering divisions in RAL Space specialising in providing bespoke optics, sensors and electronics instrumentation. We are involved in a variety of projects from R&D focussed activities to full flight programmes covering a wide range of applications in space-borne and ground-based astronomical instrumentation, earth observation and planetary exploration!

The Programmes & Strategy Group sit within ISD to lead and support the divisions' portfolio of projects. The group is also responsible for financial and resource monitoring and the delivery of key information to the Head and Group Leaders to enable strategic decision making in terms of future work and technology development. The group is active in identifying potential opportunities for funding, whilst leading and supporting bid preparation for new work, as well as being committed to establishing and maintaining a delivery plan for future research and development.

Your responsibilities

The primary role of this post is to perform project management activities for the design, manufacture, assembly, test and delivery of electro-optics projects. The Graduate will work under the direct supervision of one of our Senior Project Managers, supporting them in handling a number of our many space instrumentation projects. Duties include, but may not be limited to:

• Organising and co-ordinating project activities
• Coordinating key reviews and meetings with different stakeholders
• Scheduling of project tasks and identification of resource and schedules, proposing solutions as appropriate
• Monitoring the finances of projects
• Identifying and monitoring project risks
• Collaborating closely with all members of the project team
• Writing reports for Senior Management and Customers
• Supporting project proposals and bids for new work
• Being vigilant with health and safety
• Helping with outreach activities and tours of the Division

Communication

The Graduate will report to one of the Division’s Senior Project Managers on a day-to-day basis. In addition, the Graduate may be required to communicate to the following:

• Report to senior project staff on progress as appropriate
• Interaction with staff within the whole of the RAL Space Department
• Interaction with Customers
• Interaction with suppliers as the need arises
• Interaction with UK Shared Business Services
• Interaction with visitors to the Division / Department during outreach activities

Personal Skills and Attributes

We are looking for a Graduate with the following skills / attributes:

• First degree in a scientific or engineering field, minimum 2:1
• Excellent organisational skills, and the ability to multi-task
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Good PC literacy skills
• Good presentation skills
• Self-motivated
• Able to work in a team
• Diligent

Any other Relevant Information 
Experience / knowledge of the following would be an advantage:

• As the post is within the Imaging Systems Division, an understanding or interest in electronics and / or optics is useful, but not essential
• Scheduling software (e.g. MS Project)
• Leading a team
• Organisation of complex tasks

What you'll need

Qualifications

Essential

• Obtained first degree bachelors or Masters, (not doctorate) in a relevant subject in either 2020, 2021 or be due to receive it in 2022 
• Expected or have achieved a 2:1 or above 
• The right to live and work in the UK 

Desirable

• Project Management Qualification (e.g. APM Project Fundamentals Qualification or equivalent) 

Knowledge

Essential

• Organisational experience, such a leading a team 

• Giving presentations at various levels 

• Use of Microsoft Office 

Desirable

• Project Management experience, e.g. managing a project at University 
• Budget responsibility 
• Use of scheduling software 
• Interest in electronics or optics, especially for space applications 

Skills 

Essential

• Ability to multi-task 
• Excellent written and communication skills 
• Good problem solving skills 
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Self-motivated 
• Able to work in a team 
• Diligent

Special Requirements

Essential

• Willingness to travel, within the UK and abroad if required 

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

The STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake ground-breaking projects in an outstanding diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving progressive advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.

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.

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.