Research Project Manager

Job description

We wish to appoint a Research Project Manager to support projects run by the King’s Earth Observation and Wildfire Research Group ( https://wildfire.geog.kcl.ac.uk/), who are based in King’s School of Global Affairs (SGA) and within NERC’s National Centre for Earth Observation . These Groups projects are focused on environmental science using satellite remote sensing, field campaigns, laboratory experiments and use of the NCEO Airborne EO Capability, which is run by the Group and hosted inside King’s Geography. This is one of the leading airborne EO research capabilities in Europe, with a current high funding profile amongst NERC, ESA, ECMWF and other major research funders. If you are keen on working with motivated and interesting people, would love to help make the implementation of a wide ranging and impactful set of research projects a success, then this role maybe for you. You should have a track record in managing projects, budgets, logistics and HR, and be interested to join in the work of the School of Global Affairs (SGA) who’s research seeks to address some of the most pressing issues facing our world today.

The postholder will sit within the SGA Research Team and will work predominately with Professor Martin Wooster - who leads the King’s- NCEO groups strategy – and the rest of the King’s-NCEO team who deliver the groups scientific and technical project work. You will play a key role in ensuring the strategy is delivered and that the team have the support they need to undertake their science and technical developments. This will include undertaking project administration and logistics, managing deadlines and deliverables, liaising with King’s central services, helping airborne campaign planning and operations - and providing careful monitoring and support of projects throughout their duration.

This is currently a hybrid role and post holders will need to be able to split their week partly working on campus, partly at a dedicated instrument laboratory located in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and partly remotely. 

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract for 24 months.

Key responsibilities

• Work closely with the PI to support the delivery and development of the research programme and airborne capabilities within the Group.
• To manage the operational and logistical needs of the Group and research project(s). This will include responsibility for leading and/or liaising over HR, finance, internal/external communications, contracts, physical resources, purchasing of highly specialised equipment, and other administrative functions with the constituent HEIs.
• Contribute to airborne campaign planning by attending and organising meetings with key stakeholders, assigning tasks and delegating responsibilities across the Group, working within strict and often tight timelines to ensure campaigns deploy on time and to budget.
• Proactively meet with key stakeholders (PI, Group, SGA Research Team, SGA Technical Team), to address complex issues as they arise with a view to providing solutions to problems, while ensuring the work remains compliant with funder and King’s regulations.
• Be able to take part in airborne campaigns and other related-activities to provide on-the-ground logistical and operational support to the Group as needed. This will involve being able to travel internationally with the Group and possibly staying for a few weeks at a time.
• Provide the Group with timely and efficient administration, responsive problem-solving, task-prioritisation and organisation.
• Work with the health and safety officer to assist with statutory compliance.
• Manage and report on the Group’s research budgets, ensuring appropriate robust control and monitoring so that all financial transactions comply with Funder and College financial regulations.
• Process invoices and expense claims; provide advice and direction on issues such as auditing requirements based on different Funder regulations.
• Establish and maintain data systems regarding key performance indicators, deliverables, milestones and reporting of research and campaign outcomes
• Work with Group and SGA Technical team to manage advanced bookings and forward planning use of the scientific equipment, balancing and prioritising the needs of research, potentially, commercial users. 
• Work with PI and SGA Research Team to ensure compliance with HR regulations and policies (such as monitoring of visas, managing fixed-term contracts, occupational health matters, etc.), liaising with HR and providing guidance, as necessary.
• Support the recruitment process liaising with key SGA staff and HR, as necessary
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional services staff from across the College, including Faculty, Estates, HR, Finance and Procurement.
• Demonstrate flexibility in providing support to the Group
• Work on own initiative, drive, ambition and unsupervised
• To build strong networks and relationships with external partners and other stakeholders collaborating, advising or otherwise engaged with the Group’s capabilities and research.
• Work with Group, SGA and Faculty staff, as appropriate, to develop and maintain internal and external communications and public engagement, maintaining webpages promoting the Group’s research profile and capabilities, and generally display appropriate use of web, social and print media to promote and disseminate information.
• To contribute towards a publication record and dissemination plan to enhance the Group’s research reputation and capabilities at national and international level
• Regularly communicate information in a clear and precise way.
• On occasion, provide support to PI with organizing meetings and diary-keeping

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1.       Post graduate degree (MSc or PhD) OR substantial relevant experience

2.       Experience of working in an administrative environment within the HE sector

3.       Excellent knowledge of (university) policies and procedures including financial regulations.

4.       Proven ability in managing a research facility or large, complex research projects with multiple partners and funding streams.

5.       Excellent demonstrable project management skills, including setting deliverables and keeping track of milestones.

6.       Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders, both within and outside the organization.

7.       Experience of funder systems for post-award award management.

8.       Experience of reporting on large project grants and budgets

9.       Substantial experience supporting costing process for technical/scientific grants.

10.   Ability to prioritise workload in a busy environment

11.   Ability to travel between our London Campus and the Research Laboratory in Hertfordshire and travel abroad as required by project and campaign schedules

Desirable criteria

1.     Experience in complex or temporary exports would be a bonus

2.     Experience of managing and leading change

3.     Some knowledge of Earth Observation and/or field campaign work