At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead groundbreaking research in particle profiling and drive technological advancements.
- Company: Join ARIA, a pioneering R&D funding agency transforming science and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid work, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Catalyse world-changing breakthroughs and collaborate with top scientists in an innovative environment.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in aerosol science or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 44550 - 54450 £ per year.
Salary Levels: £70,000, £90,000, £105,000 (offers will be calibrated on benchmarked experience levels and assessment against our selection criteria)
Bonus: Discretionary
Location: Kings X, London; Tues - Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere
Employment Type: Full-time
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 11 October 23:59
About ARIA
ARIA is a new R&D funding agency built to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.
Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that’s a life-changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role. If you want to help make breakthroughs like these possible, come and build ARIA with us.
Role Summary
As an ARIA Science and Technology Lead, you will have the rare chance to catalyse breakthroughs that could change the world. You'll sit alongside Programme Directors Sarah Bohndiek and Gemma Bale and their Programme Specialist on an emerging programme in ARIA's Adaptive Machines opportunity space, focused on our North Star for profiling the size, shape, and molecular species of single particles to become a ubiquitous capability. You’ll be exposed to every aspect of the programme's technical management from design through approval, project selection, and delivery.
Your impact will extend beyond a single programme; you will play a key role in strengthening the wider Adaptive Machines opportunity space, with a deep, evolving understanding of programmes and projects over time. As Programme Directors join the opportunity space and new programmes are launched, you will surface insights that build on existing ARIA-funded technologies, accelerate discovery, and turn past lessons into future breakthroughs, maximising impact across the portfolio.
We’re looking for an adaptable technical professional who’s strongly motivated by the opportunity to catalyse a technological step change. You’ll be working in a bold, talented, and agile team, funding projects (‘Creators’) across the entire R&D ecosystem, from startups to universities, in the pursuit of groundbreaking advancements that will shape the future of science and technology.
What you'll do
- Act as the technical lead, with the Programme Director and their Programme Specialist, to shape and deliver a bold programme of research aimed at making particle profiling ubiquitous.
- Review project proposals, grant applications, assess technical milestones, and stay close to the ground on what’s being built and tested by Creator teams.
- Plan, lead, and contribute to technical discussions in project meetings, workshops, and formal reviews, bringing depth, challenge, and direction to every interaction.
- Provide evidence-based technical insight to the Programme Director and the ARIA team to support high-quality decisions and sharpen the programme’s strategic direction.
- Confidently communicate complex scientific ideas surrounding the programme to stakeholders, from government and funders to key players across the ecosystem.
- Identify emerging trends and surface the most promising technologies, people, and ideas across the programme and its surrounding opportunity space.
- Co-author white papers, open calls, and technical reviews that articulate the ambition of the programme and set a clear, compelling vision for external communities.
- Work closely with the Programme Specialist and Creator teams to drive project delivery, tracking against ambitious technical milestones, benchmarking progress against the state of the art, and spotting opportunities for research cross-pollination to sustain momentum.
- Provide continuity to the opportunity space, and maintain a deep understanding of past and present programmes, and Creator projects, to help new Programme Directors build on what has worked, avoid what hasn’t, and leverage existing technologies and insights.
- Represent the programme, often on behalf of the Programme Director, at events, workshops and talks.
- Support the broader opportunity space by identifying and developing innovative ways to expand it, bringing in new ideas, talent, and opportunities that deliver long-term value beyond the immediate needs of one programme.
- Build trusted relationships with world-class researchers, labs, and founders working at the forefront of the programme’s focus area, as well as the broader opportunity space.
- Work closely with ARIA’s Activation Partners to ensure Creator teams can access the right tools, platforms, and networks to accelerate translation and achieve impact beyond ARIA’s direct reach.
- Collaborate across ARIA on funding models, budgets, tooling, and operational mechanisms to support effective, flexible funding and programme delivery.
- Contribute as a member of ARIA’s team of Science and Technology Leads, sharing best practices and learnings between programmes to strengthen ARIA’s overall portfolio of work.
- Identify opportunities to expand the opportunity space and build the connective tissue between adjacent spaces.
- Help build and sustain ARIA’s scientific and operational culture.
Who you are
Essential Criteria
- You have first-hand exposure to developing particle profiling technologies, for example, new sampling methods to capture aerosols for downstream analysis, new analytical methods across mass spectrometry or optics, or new data handling methods for source attribution.
- You have a strong understanding of aerosol chemistry and its implications in real-world applications.
- You excel in grasping and navigating diverse technical projects.
- You excel at translating complex technical concepts and timelines to diverse stakeholders, effectively bridging gaps between diverse teams and perspectives.
- You are willing to ask questions and can rapidly learn and adapt to new scientific areas, comprehending key components of new technical disciplines.
- You can uncover non-obvious opportunities and risks, connecting teams, ideas, and research threads in novel ways that drive adoption and translation.
- Highly adaptable, you are okay with uncertainty and a fast-paced environment.
- You comprehend and articulate complex concepts clearly and with conviction, think and communicate with structure, and interrogate ideas effectively.
Desirable Criteria
- You have worked with a wide range of commercial instrumentation across different modalities for aerosol analysis.
- You have worked in industry, particularly startups, or have experience working in an environment embedded with end users, such as in air quality networks or government.
- You have successfully performed technical assignments that require unconventional or novel approaches.
- You are skilled in identifying technical bottlenecks, risk analysis and resolution, tracking technical milestones, and reporting on complex technical projects.
- You have a strong working knowledge of the UK R&D ecosystem.
Qualifications
You have a Scientific qualification, with a preference for PhD or other deeper technical experience in one of the listed areas of interest, or similar; aerosol science, broadly interpreted across biology, chemistry, and physics; instrumentation development, across any modality used for particle profiling.
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days.
- Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home.
- Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities.
- Enhanced family leave arrangements.
- A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme.
- 2 days of paid volunteer days.
- 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- An excellent office location in Kings X, London.
Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to this, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.
Please note; You will be required, as and when necessary, to travel to different locations around the UK and internationally to support projects, depending on the Programme you are designated to.
ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility.
Science and Technology Lead - Ubiquitous Particle Profiling in London employer: ARIA
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Science and Technology Lead - Ubiquitous Particle Profiling in London
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at ARIA, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like ARIA. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Science and Technology Lead - Ubiquitous Particle Profiling in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at ARIA. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at ARIA. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at ARIA
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at ARIA. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at ARIA to drive research projects forward.