Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £29,922
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington
Closing Date: Sunday 20th October 2024
Assessment Centre: December 2024/January 2025 (Virtual)
Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.
Working as part of the Business and Innovation Directorate, this position will play a key role in delivering UKRI-STFC’s Research and Innovation Cluster strategy, focussed on the North West of England.
As a Graduate Cluster Development Officer, you will join a well-established team that is developing innovation clusters in high-growth economic sectors such as Health & Life Sciences, Digital and Space, and supporting wider regional cluster developments (including in Materials, Industrial Biotech and Security). The role is based at the Daresbury Laboratory at Sci-Tech Daresbury, home to national R&D facilities (such as the Hartree Centre and Daresbury Laboratory), public sector bodies (like the Health Innovation Network for the NHS in the region) and a broad range of businesses (from blue-chips like Croda and IBM Research) to start-ups in incubation programs STFC runs onsite.
You will report to the Head of North West Clusters and work closely with the North West Cluster team and the STFC Campus and Incubation team at Daresbury to support the delivery of dynamic projects, knowledge exchange and horizon scanning activities. These will be designed to encourage regional collaboration and engagement, involving both campus and cluster organisations, strengthening connections, the exchange of ideas and stimulation of new technologies & products in businesses.
There are also opportunities within this role to work with a diverse group of people across the Business and Innovation Directorate, including with teams that support innovation and impact, business development and early-stage business incubation, depending on your strengths and interests. These wider opportunities will help to develop your knowledge and experience, grow into your role, and take your career in your chosen direction.
The North West Clusters build on the establishment of the clusters at Daresbury’s twin campus at Harwell, with the launch of the Harwell Space Cluster in 2010, Health in 2015 and Energy in 2018. Since then the North West Clusters have developed and launched with the North West Health Cluster in 2019, Digital in 2021 and Space in 2022. Areas of additional focus for the cluster team include Advanced Materials, Industrial BioTech, Defence & Security, Quantum and more.
The driving objective is to harness the cluster model to drive greater R&D activity, enable collaborations, facilitate increased investment (national and international) and support economic growth.
Brief overview of the scheme
The STFC Graduate scheme will give you the opportunity to pursue your interests and passion early in your journey with us, supported by technical training and a broader programme of career support and development.
Our dedicated Early Careers Development Team will provide the right combination of challenge and support throughout, helping you achieve your ambitions. We know that professional recognition is also important to you too, so we will provide mentoring and expertise to help you achieve valued qualifications or chartered status in your chosen field.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours!
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
Working with the Head of North West Clusters to help plan and deliver cluster-focussed activities, including knowledge exchange events, conferences, stakeholder meetings and networking – both virtual and face-to-face. This will initially involve supporting activities then as confidence grows leading and even proposing the organisation (where agreed and pertinent) supporting the organisation, delivery and associated logistics, as appropriate.
Supporting the delivery of key Cluster development activities, including engagement with stakeholders, researchers and businesses. This will involve communication of cluster activities (such as events), promotion of programs (like the STFC Cross Cluster Proof of Concept fund) and understanding needs.
Gathering, understanding and maintaining an awareness of the diverse Cluster community developments alongside the activities of other STFC developments, including the Business Development and Innovation and Impact teams, to enable closer working and the spotting of strategic opportunities.
Contribute to the collecting and analysing data on Campus and Cluster activities to help evidence their impact.
Contributing to the development of case studies and articles to raise the profile of the clusters.
Building and maintaining good working relationships with organisations on the Sci-Tech Daresbury Campus and key stakeholders across the research and innovation system. Including attending key Campus and Cluster-focused events to help facilitate interactions between attendees e.g. Sci-Tech Daresbury Business Breakfast, Cluster Stakeholders meetings, anniversary conferences etc.
Propose activities that would support the development of the clusters.
To apply for this graduate opportunity, we are looking for the following:
Essential:
* Achieved, or be on course to achieve, a minimum 2:1 degree
* Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment
* Experience and ability to integrate into a team
* Strong communication and personal skills, including presenting ideas to peers and the writing of reports
* Project management experience, including experience with using analytical approaches to track progress
* Communication
* Teamwork
* Motivation
* Self-Management
* Organisation
Desirable:
* Awareness of UKRI and/or Research and Innovation organisations
* Demonstrable commitment to continuous improvement (projects and personally)
* Marketing experience including the use of social media tools and crafting of briefs and newsletters
* Leadership experience
Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based on how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.
Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
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.
For more information about STFC please visit stfc.ukri.org.
You can also visit our careers site stfccareers.co.uk.
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.
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