Group Heads
Overview
The new NOC organisational design includes the formation of 10 new science groups. Nine will be in the new Marine Science Function, and one will be in the new Data Science Function. As part of the change process, NOC will be appointing 10 Group Heads to lead the new groups and to join the team of NOC senior managers that have collective responsibility for delivering the NOC strategy.
The ten new groups have the following draft names (names to be refined and finalised when Group Heads and group membership is confirmed, but please note that the number of groups and their indicated speciality will not change):
Biological Carbon Cycles
Biogeochemistry Processes
Marine Ecosystem Processes
Marine Geoscience
Seafloor Systems
Coastal and Inshore Processes
Open Ocean Physics
Ocean-shelf-coast Connectivity
Global Climate
Ocean Modelling
Considering your application
Expressions of interest for the roles of Group Heads for the 10 new groups are invited from staff who are working at Band 4. You will be asked to indicate which group you are interested in managing. We also encourage expressions of interest from staff who are working at Band 5 and who have skills and experience to demonstrate their ability to work at Band 4. Expressions of interest from Band 3 staff can be submitted, and we ask that you include information in your form about how you would balance your Band 3 activities with the Group Head role.
We encourage applications from men, women and non-binary staff, with the intention to achieve balanced gender representation in our senior team and future Executive Team.
If you would like to discuss the role and opportunities, please contact Prof Len Shaffrey (AD for Science and Technology) or Dr Jon Blower (AD for Digital Oceans).
Role details
The purpose of the Group Head is to manage a medium-sized group of researchers (12-20 people) and drive the direction of research within the group, ensuring it aligns with NOC strategy.
The Group Head will ensure effective financial management of the group, conducting regular reviews of budgets and expenditure. Developing and implementing workforce planning approaches to ensure the appropriate staffing levels, skills and line management are in place will be vital in this position.
You will foster an inclusive and positive working environment across the group, where staff feel empowered and inspired to perform at their best.
Other key responsibilities will include promoting the activity of the group by being an engaged and visible member of NOC and the wider research community, and developing and implementing strategies to enhance how staff collaborate and share knowledge.
The Group Head role will oversee the group in 0.3 FTE of dedicated management time, alongside their primary role as a Principal Research Scientist (please note that the Duties and Responsibilities of a principal research scientist role are not included in the attached job description which is only for the group head role).
For more information on the position please ensure you review the job description / person specification that is attached to the advert.
Completing your Expression of Interest form
You can download the form by clicking on the vacancy below and going to 'Documents' on the right-hand side. Please read the form carefully as it provides clear instructions on the information required.
Submitting an application
To apply please click on the vacancy below and press ‘Apply for this job’. You will then need to log-in or create a user account (all communication regarding your application will be via the phone number and / or email address you register with your user account. Please keep this is in mind when submitting your application).
Please complete the relevant fields and upload your application documents. In the section to upload your documents you will see 2 options:
a) Upload your recent CV - please upload your CV here. Your CV should be a maximum of 4 pages (including publications).
b) Upload a cover letter - please upload your Expression of Interest form here (you can find the Expression of Interest form attached to the vacancy)
If you need any help submitting your application, please email careers@noc.ac.uk.
More information
You can find more information on the dedicated intranet page. Please ensure you review this before submitting an application.
