Research Project Manager – SKA / Synchronisation and Timing (Sat)

Job reference: SAE-032384
Salary: £37,694 - £46,049 per annum depending on experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: School of Natural Sciences Admin
Hours Per Week: Full time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 15/10/2026
Contract Duration: Fixed term for 12 months
School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Research Project Manager – SKA / Synchronisation and Timing (SAT). Reporting to the Project Support Operations Manager the Research Project Manager will be responsible for administration of the University of Manchester’s involvement in the SKA Telescope. The Project Manager is needed to oversee key deliverables in the Synchronisation and Timing (SAT) area, amongst other things.

You will be responsible for:

• Provide a totality of project management function: detailed work plans, milestone setting, budget control, meetings management and preparing reports.
• Collate, analyse, and present data on project finances, progress, and risks, producing briefings and reports, both verbal and written to funders/advisory boards/internal and external stakeholders.
• Working closely with SKAO to oversee and manage key industry contracts, ensuring deliverables, timelines and budgets are adhered to while resolving any issues
• Drive the project deadlines to ensure activity is delivered in a timely manner.
• Line management of Project Support staff directly on the project, providing a good quality induction, probation monitoring, P&DR, pastoral support and daily workload direction to ensure project progress.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• First degree and/or significant experience in project management/administration.
• Good working knowledge of SAFe Agile framework practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of industry contract management practices
• Experience of supporting management to successfully deliver large-scale projects and programmes in a responsible capacity.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage and prioritise conflicting tasks in a busy environment and to manage competing deadlines.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in Higher Education Institutions, particularly within astronomy or other STEM department
• A relevant qualification in industry contract management practices e.g., NEC training
• Familiarity with SKA projects
• Knowledge of project platforms and tools such as Confluence, ALIM, CEMAR etc
• Experience of STEM communication, e.g., writing articles, social media updates etc to communicate project aims and progress

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Claire Huyton

claire.huyton@manchester.ac.uk 

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

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