Director of STFC Particle Physics Department

Didcot

Based on site at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire 
£87,565 – £99,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience) 
Full-time, Open-ended appointment

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is seeking an experienced scientific leader as Director of the Particle Physics Department (PPD). This role presents an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver a growing national programme, supported by exceptional staff and facilities, amid a period of significant scientific potential. 

STFC’s PPD conducts a dynamic science programme at the forefront of fundamental physics research, among the largest and best-resourced particle physics groups internationally. The department’s mission is to support and enable the entire UK community in the delivery and organisation of particle physics research, in collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) 

Reporting to the Executive Director of National Laboratories Science and Technologies, the Director will lead a department of over one hundred staff and students across multiple national and international sites. Managing a budget of over £18M per year, the Director will provide financial and risk management, and collaborate with senior professionals in STFC and the national and international science communities to enable the delivery of the science programme.  

The Director will have a highly visible externally facing role, representing STFC on international bodies and committees, maintaining an awareness of and participation in global science strategy processes, and developing cooperative relationships with international laboratories. The successful candidate will also role model encouraging and promoting STFC’s values of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and commitment to sustainability and investment in staff, in all their activities. 

About us

STFC’s mission is to deliver world-leading national and international research and innovation capabilities to discover the secrets of the Universe. As part of STFC’s national laboratories directorate, the Particle Physics Department (PPD): 

• Supports the UK scientific community through the design, construction, operation, and exploitation of experiments in particle physics, particle astrophysics, and related areas 
• Enables the future science programme through research and development in instrumentation, accelerators, computing, and data analysis
• Maintains facilities, expertise and talent in the scientific, technical and professional subject areas needed by the programme, and offers long-term career support for staff
• Ensures efficient and effective science via project management and operational support
• Defines and develops the future programme together with UK and international partners
• Supports STFC planning and decision-making, providing expertise, information, and insight
• Promotes societal, industrial, and interdisciplinary impact
• Develops sustainable approaches to all aspects of the science programme 

Find out more about the state-of-the-art facilities available at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. 

For further information on the role and responsibilities, please request a copy of the candidate prospectus by emailing SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org  

We understand that individuals might hesitate to submit an application if they don’t meet each of the criteria. If you’re enthusiastic about joining our organisation and possess a majority of the skills or experience, we encourage you to proceed with an application. We recognise that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enriches our work environment and therefore actively welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates. 

Candidates will be assessed against the following criteria throughout the recruitment process: 

 

• Your record of professional achievement in experimental particle physics or particle astrophysics   
• Experience of conducting research at a high level as a user or staff member at major international laboratories, and a network of connections throughout the international community   
• Your leadership within the academic community at senior level, with an ability to represent the high-level interests of STFC and the UK within the international science community   
• Experience of developing and delivering strategy including resource planning, operational delivery and pursuing and delivering major projects 
• Proven skills in effectively leading people, including commitment to developing others and upholding and promoting STFC’s values   
• Your communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, with an ability to build effective working relationships both within and outside the particle physics field  
• Familiarity with the organisation and delivery of particle physics in the UK, as well as knowledge of the coordination and political dynamic of international particle physics 

STFC offers a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work–life balance including: 30 days annual leave, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, exceptional pension scheme, and social and sporting activities and societies. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 5 years. An assignment duration
is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them
to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through
building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above.
This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions.
Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and
conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your
personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any
absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you
to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

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Job contact :

• Name : UKRI Senior Recruitment
• Email : SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org