Company overview
The Aerospace Technology Institute sits at the centre of UK aerospace research and technology. It is responsible for the UK’s Aerospace Technology Strategy and development of a national R&T investment presently worth over £4 billion through to 2031. It is a truly game-changing initiative, whose objective is to reduce aviation’s environmental impact through providing thought leadership on all aspects on the future of flight and through funding research projects that secure jobs, maintain skills and deliver economic benefits across the UK.
The importance of aerospace to the UK cannot be overstated. The UK is Europe’s number one aerospace manufacturer, second globally only to the United States. The industry is a major driver of economic prosperity through leading edge technology, high-wage jobs and high-value exports. The industry is resilient and growing at over 4.5% each year. These reasons are the basis for government investment and a coordinated effort to position the UK for success.
A small and young company charged with a big responsibility, the ATI encourages free thinking and innovation. We need individuals with drive, passion, ability to adapt and work flexibly, and who share our ambitions for the sector and UK. Our team is collaborative, open, respectful, positive and supportive.
Mission statement
Transforming aerospace through technology and innovation.
Diversity & inclusion
We are experts in our field, trusted to be impartial in our activities, and present a fair and independent view. We are passionate about innovation and technology and understand the rewards of bringing together a diverse and forward-thinking team to explore, enhance and shape our aerospace agenda. We are committed to equality in everything we do. We are proud to lead by example, demonstrating independent leadership and collaborating for success in all aspects of our work.
The opportunity
Position Title: Research Programme Co-Ordinator
Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract (to end March 2025) or open to secondment opportunities
Location: London (hybrid working)
Travel: As required
Reporting to: HCN Technical Lead and the Head of Skills & Research
The Hydrogen Capability Network programme
The Research Programme Co-Ordinator will join the ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network (HCN) team, which is at the heart of the ATI’s efforts to decarbonise flight. Phase 1 of the HCN is a 12-month project which runs from April 2024 to March 2025. Phase 1 follows a successful Phase 0 project and will continue to develop the objectives of the HCN and will focus on the following objectives:
- Developing a long-term strategy and business case for the future of the HCN, including future operating and funding models.
- Mobilisation and delivery of a two-year capital infrastructure programme to develop a medium scale liquid hydrogen test hub.
- Mobilisation and delivery of a four-year strategic research programme on Cryogenic Hydrogen Materials Testing Standards (CHyMES) for future aircraft design.
- Securing funding and delivery of a skills pilots for liquid hydrogen in aerospace. To lead to a future skills strategy and programme.
- Developing a strategy for enabling the next 10 years of liquid hydrogen test and demonstration to make future hydrogen aircraft a reality.
- Working in collaboration with industry and academia to scope strategic research projects and a challenge led approach to future research.
- Engagement and collaboration across the entire aerospace sector on this emerging capability to gain insights, gather requirements and disseminate knowledge and develop strategic partnerships.
Phase 1 of the programme will run from April 2024 to March 2025, during which the HCN will submit a proposal into government to secure long-term funding for the sector for LH2.
The key outputs from Phase 1 include:
- Development of a business Case for subsequent phases of the HCN
- Developing a strategy for next phase of test infrastructure
- The design of a LH2 research programme
- The design of a sector skills programme
- Securing LH2 supply for test hubs and materials test programme
- Continued sector engagement and collaboration
The role
The Research Programme Co-Ordinator will report to both the Technical Lead and Head of Skills and Research to support the delivery of the Phase 1 objectives listed above. This focus of this role is on building future strategic research projects and achieving the following objectives:
- Co-ordinating the design of future research projects working with Technical Lead and Head of Skills and Research
- Co-ordinating definition of delivery structures for each research project, through bringing together a network across academia, research organisations, industry, and other institutions.
- Co-ordinating the development of business cases for each project in line with requirements from the proposed funding organisations.
Responsibilities will include:
- Organising and managing working groups to define scope (aims and objectives), develop plan (WBS, timeline, costs), and delivery structure (roles and responsibilities).
- Bringing together draft content for business cases in line with requirements from the proposed funding organisations.
- Supporting the organisation of workshops through maintenance of contact lists, invites and attendees for events, interfacing with host organisations on organisational details and communicating outcomes to the community.
- Publicising events through recognised communication channels and ensuring maintenance of website for events, both ATI and relevant external events.
- Ensuring the landscape mapping tool (skills, research and facilities) is regularly reviewed and updated.
- Support the organisation of a research conference to help development of an aerospace hydrogen community.
- Managing the administration and reporting of external work packages as required by the working groups, working in conjunction with contracts manager and engagement with subject matter experts.
The candidate
The candidate will be passionate about the decarbonisation of flight and driving change within the aerospace sector. They will have a background in project administration with experience in coordinating research programme development.
Background and experience
- Higher Education Qualification in relevant subject desirable
- Track record in programme development from initial definition to implementation
- Experience in stakeholder management across a wide range of organisations
Skills and knowledge
Educational background
- Project management qualification or equivalent experience desirable
- Higher Education Qualification in relevant subject desirable
Project co-ordination
- Track record in co-ordinating complex projects across many stakeholders
- Experience in all phases of the project management process from scoping to delivery
Communication
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
IT skills
- Good IT skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, databases, collaboration tools, online communication platforms, and remote working tools.
Organisational and personal skills
- Strong organisational and planning skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Proven stakeholder management skills
As an individual
- Self-starter with great energy and drive to deliver
- Strong communicator who comes across with conviction and credibility and is able to engage at various levels
- Natural collaborator with strong work ethic and team spirit with the ability to take the leadership, strategic and implementation aspects of the role in his/her stride
- Comfortable working in ambiguous situations, energetic and flexible to pick up and lead work in areas on the periphery of their core responsibilities to “get the job done”
ATI benefits
- Competitive salary
- Attractive pension scheme
- Private Medical Insurance
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Life Assurance
- Professional development training
- Paid membership to one professional body per year
- Hybrid working, including core hours
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional Christmas leave
- Company Maternity & Paternity Pay
- 30 days Company Sick Pay
Assignment process and timeline
Short-listed applicants will go through a two-stage interview process with the ATI. Applications should be made by submitting a CV and covering letter by 1st May 2024. Please submit your application on our recruitment partner’s site here.