Head of Science Operations

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Department of Plant Sciences as Head of Science Operations at our Crop Science Centre located on Huntingdon Road.

The Department of Plant Sciences is part of the School of Biological Sciences. It has an international reputation and welcomes staff, students and visitors from across the world. The Crop Science Centre (CSC) has grown rapidly since opening in 2020. We are therefore creating a new senior management role, Head of Science Operations, reporting to, and with delegated authority from, the Centre Director. The remit of the role is to provide leadership on areas of scientific functionality including communications, intellectual property, regulation, scientific platforms and scientific services. As the CSC Director is Programme Leader for the ENSA research programme, the role holder will be significantly involved in that, and oversee functions relating to it.

CSC is part of the Department of Plant Sciences with HR, finance, IT and facilities managed centrally. This new role will oversee and manage local CSC functionalities, co-ordinating as appropriate with overall Department operations. The role-holder will be responsible for day-to-day staff and resource management of Centre functions to ensure effective provision in support of scientific services and research, acting as line manager to 4 staff. They will lead on identifying collaboration and commercial opportunities for researchers, implementing relevant policies and procedures to support this, and co-ordinating impact by working with the ENSA Impact Manager. They will have responsibility for developing an overall communications strategy, both Centre and ENSA-specific, working with the Communications Co-ordinator and an external agency to build effective platforms.

They will oversee delivery of scientific services and the ENSA platforms team, providing guidance and strategic support with decision-making and resource allocation. They will review, identify and implement changes to relevant processes as required; co-ordinate retreats; lead centre working groups; liaise with the Department Business and Operations Manager and Finance Manager on strategic issues as required.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in an operations management role; line management experience; demonstrable evidence of team leadership and skills in resource management. They will be able to manage relationships between commercial and non-commercial parties, with the ability to discuss science at a high level, and demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of how research labs and facilities function.

A PhD in Plant Sciences or a relevant scientific field is desirable, together with excellent communication skills, strong organisational and IT skills, and project management experience. They will have the ability to liaise with colleagues at all levels of the organisation and work both independently and in a team.

In Plant Sciences we offer a friendly, inclusive and supportive environment, with hybrid and flexible working opportunities, and the option to apply for on-site parking subject to certain criteria. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

If you have not heard from us within 1 month, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.

Please quote reference PD42517 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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