Senior Project Manager for HARMONI – the ELT’s integral field spectrograph

We are seeking

a Senior Project Manager who will be the “Institute Project Manager” for the spectrograph work package, with responsibility for the delivery of the four spectrograph units to the IFS integration site in Edinburgh. This is an exciting opportunity to join an international collaboration that will provide the first-light spectrograph for the world’s largest telescope in its early years. You will be responsible for, and provide day-to-day line management for a team of optics specialists, systems engineers, mechanical engineers, workshop technicians, and cryogenics specialists who will be engaged with the detailed design, component procurement, assembly, integration and testing of the spectrograph units. You will be assisted by the Oxford HARMONI Project Administrator, and by specialist services in the Oxford Physics department (e.g. Personnel, Finance) and the University administration (e.g. tendering, contracts, VAT / duties). In addition, you will provide frequent reports to the HARMONI project office on technical progress, and quarterly formal reports to the European Southern Observatory. You will be responsible for managing the schedule, and the hardware procurements, including budgets. Quarterly financial reporting of spend (both effort and cash) is also required for both ESO and the UK Funding Agency. Applicants should possess a good Masters degree (min 2:1 qualification) in Physics, Astronomy or Engineering or equivalent qualification and experience in technical project management.Candidates should have significant experience in carrying out a project management role (preferably for an astronomy instrumentation project or at least in an engineering environment), including working with international partners. We are looking for proven expertise in all areas of project management, including project planning, financial reporting, technical reporting, procurement management and liaison with external vendors. The successful candidate should demonstrate leadership qualities, excellent communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills, and have knowledge of, and exposure to, systems engineering process in an instrument / product development context This is a full-time post on fixed term basis for 3 years.