Junior Project Manager, SKA-Mid Dish

At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development. 

More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.

Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.

Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.

Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!

An exciting opportunity to join a highly experienced team of project managers and scientists and using state of the art technology to build SKA-Mid, part of what will be the world's largest radio telescope.

Job Location Cheshire, UK (Head Office)

The Junior Project Manager SKA-Mid will assist delivering a number of SKA-Mid Dish contracts (for radio frequency receiver systems and supporting cryogenic, vacuum and control systems) whilst working closely with the SKA-Mid Dish Project Manager and other key stakeholders including engineers, scientists and operations planners.

 The Junior Project Manager SKA-Mid will report to the Senior Project Manager SKA-Mid, who is responsible for the delivery of the SKA-Mid telescope.  The role operates under a matrix structure and the Junior Project Manager SKA-Mid will primarily support the Dish Project Manager in managing Dish-related contracts to scope, schedule and budget, engaging the support of domain specialists in order to do so.  Through interaction with the Dish Product Delivery Team and others, the Junior Project Manager SKA-Mid will learn about the internal systems and the developing technology under their management. 

 SKA’s Project Managers will form the primary managerial link between the SKA Observatory and the contractors and consultants based in the member countries of the Observatory to ensure successful project delivery and, ultimately, scientific outcomes.

The role is a three-year fixed-term and is based at the SKAO Headquarters at Jodrell Bank, UK. 

The role will include frequent national and international travel to contractors and the construction site in South Africa.

SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory. 

There may be occasions where this role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

The post holder will:

• Work closely with the Dish Project Manager and the Dish Product Delivery Team (PDT) to learn about, and take over, assigned work packages;
• Work closly with Contractors monitoring progress to achive project objectives tracking risk and schedules and delivery components for the Telescope.
• Co-ordinate and lead matrixed staff and contractors within defined parameters, monitoring their work against their contracted schedules and work plans, taking corrective action or escalating issues with performance where appropriate;
• Support project quality reviews in order to identify, assess and take action to mitigate risks to project success;
• Liaise with stakeholders, internally and externally, in order to resolve queries, using specialised knowledge to guide decision making;
• Ensure project controls are implemented for contracts under their management such that they are delivered to the expected cost, time and quality parameters;
• Deliver their contracts to successful Operations Readiness Review;
• Travel nationally and internationally to contractors and the construction site in South Africa as required (usually for one week or less, up to 10 times per year).

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Recognised university degree-level education/training in engineering or physical sciences or relevant experience;
• Relevant Project Management qualification or training with good understanding of project management methodologies;
• Demonstratable practical experience of contributing to the successful delivery of science or engineering-based programmes/projects that have been gained in either a project management role or in a project support role;
• Knowledge of contract management and procurement procedures;
• Broad understanding of the technical specialism within which the role will be working, with considerable on the job training provided;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn about new technologies via interaction with technical specialists;
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to gather data and use this to inform understanding; 
• Experience of working collaboratively with geographically dispersed teams;
• A flexible and self-motivated team player who is adaptable to change;
• Good English oral and written communication skills to be able to to liaise with others and build relationships;

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Membership of recognised national or international project management and/or engineering institutes;
• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary, multi-national projects with team members in different time-zones;
• Management or support of projects within the telecommunications, defence or space sectors and/or in a systems development environment;
• Experience in large scale science infrastructure projects;
• Experience in NEC contracting;
• Industry experience within a scientific enviroment;
• Familiarity with the formalism for, and requirements of, quality control environments such as ISO9001.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.

Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants. 

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.

SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.

The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.

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