Director of STFC Particle Physics Department (PPD)

Fully onsite based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) seeks an experienced scientific leader as Director of its Particle Physics Department. This exciting position offers the chance to help shape and deliver a growing national programme in fundamental physics, at a time of exceptional scientific opportunity, and backed by leading and extraordinary staff and facilities. The Director will provide effective and inspirational leadership within STFC and as a senior figure in UK science.

Reporting to the Executive Directors of National Laboratories, the Director will lead a department of over one hundred staff and students across multiple national and international sites. They will provide financial and risk management with a budget of over £18M per year and collaborate with other senior professionals in STFC and in the national and international science communities to enable 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. Significant travel will therefore be required. 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 and, through those, discover the secrets of the Universe. Our research and innovation campuses across the UK support fundamental research in astronomy, physics and space science. More information on our mission and strategy can be found in the STFC Strategic Delivery Plan. 

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 

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

Shortlisting Criteria: 

• Exceptional professional record of achievement in experimental particle physics or particle astrophysics  
• Proven track record of leadership within the academic community at senior level, and a broad knowledge of the relevant science landscape 
• Experience of conducting research at a high level at major international laboratories and a network of connections throughout the international community 
• Experience of conducting or overseeing strategy development, project management, resource planning, and operational delivery
• Ability to represent the high-level interests of STFC and the UK within the international particle physics community 

 Interview Criteria: 

• Proven skills in effectively leading people and managing resources in pursuit of major projects, including commitment to developing others
• Knowledge of the coordination and political dynamic of international particle physics
• Familiarity with the organisation and delivery of particle physics in the UK 
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships within and outside the particle physics field 

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 4 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 : UK Research and Innovation
• Email : SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org