Location: SAMS, Oban
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, until 31st March 2025 (with potential for extension)
Working Pattern: Full Time, 37 hours per week
Salary Range: £29,915.19 - £33,647.14 per annum (starting salary will depend on applicable experience)
Introducing the Scientific Robotics Academy at SAMS
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is developing a Scientific Robotics Academy on its campus, near Oban, in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. SAMS is emerging as a centre of excellence in the use of marine and airborne robotics to deliver cutting-edge environmental research. The Oban area is also attracting significant UK investment in robotics, such as a new drone technology hub at Oban Airport, due to its unique balance of road and rail accessibility whilst being a gateway to the Hebridean Islands and the Atlantic Ocean. Empty airspace and pristine sea lochs make Argyll a unique place for robotics students to develop their skills.
The Scientific Robotics Academy teaches established and developing environmental scientists the skills and capabilities of these emerging technologies. The Academy has a parallel role of introducing robotics engineers to the future needs of the Global Observation community, and the challenges facing the design of robust instrumented platforms.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The Role
Our mission for the Academy is two-fold. Firstly, to train the next generation of environmental and climate scientists in the capability and use of autonomous instrumented platforms. Secondly, we aim to teach the present generation of engineers in the needs, desires and challenges of the marine science community who monitor the planet.
You will lead on the operational delivery of The Scientific Robotics Academy at SAMS; co-ordinating inputs from research and education colleagues to create a full programme of courses, seminars, and consultancy to support the training needs of scientific robotics users. You will project manage the creation and delivery of engaging content and materials. In time, you will have responsibility for maintaining a full marketing and sales pipeline for the Academy.
You will liaise with Enterprise, Research and Education colleagues to facilitate and co-ordinate a full calendar of training activity and stakeholder engagement. Working with SAMS’ world leading environmental robotics researchers, you will co-create relevant training programmes to address client needs from industry entrants to experienced robotics users, including development of specialist CPD packages.
You will be a skilled communicator with experience of internal and external stakeholder engagement. You will engage in the promotion of the services of The Scientific Robotics Academy throughout the UK, Europe and potentially globally.
This is a fixed term role initially, with the potential for continuation and progression for the right candidate.
This role sits within SAMS Enterprise, the commercial subsidiary of SAMS.
Our Ideal Candidate
As a highly motivated self-starter with excellent communication and organisational skills, you will enjoy the challenge of successfully delivering projects at the training interface of scientific research and operational activity. With a keen interest in the use of robotics in environmental research applications, you will be an experienced project manager with solid co-ordination and delivery skills, ideally developed within a commercial training environment.
A willingness to embrace team working is essential. You will be flexible and motivated to deliver to customer requirements. You will have an eye for detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines.
What do we offer in return?
Looking for a change in lifestyle or location? We are based on the beautiful west coast of Scotland – within Argyll & Bute. In addition to your salary, we offer flexible working, a generous remuneration package including pension, holiday allowance, structured career development path, free on-site parking as well as occupational health & wellbeing support. In addition, our employee benefits package includes purchase of additional holidays, technology & smartphones, payroll giving, discounted shopping vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.
Additionally, SAMS encourages and recognises excellence among staff through various recognition and reward arrangements. We constantly develop and expand the benefits and offers for our colleagues.
SAMS offers a generous salary and pension as well as employee benefits package. We also have supportive policies to assist absence, family and other leave types.
Interested?
We would love to hear from you. If you have queries on the job and would like to talk these through before applying, please email these through, in the first instance, to HR@sams.ac.uk
Applications must include CV and Cover Letter and should be sent electronically to recruitment@sams.ac.uk quoting Job Ref ‘D14/23.MS’ in the subject heading.
Closing date for applications is 25th September 2023 – Interviews will likely be held by mid-October 2023.
Please note, candidates must have the rights to work in the UK already in place before applying.
Full details on this vacancy can be found here: Project Manager – Scientific Robotics Academy