- Salary range – Between £31,931 – £34,709
- Based Harwell Campus, Oxford
- Closing Date: 18th July 2021
Who are we?
As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre, which includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field. The Centre is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
A purpose-built National Quantum Computing Centre will be built and operated by UKRI at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) campus in Oxfordshire. The Centre will be open and operational by December 2022. Until then, the NQCC’s activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. The NQCC will sit alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and will be part of the broader National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).
The primary purpose of the NQCC is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.
The NQCC’s initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards an error and noise-free fault-tolerant machine capability with benchmarking and verification demonstrated in collaboration with the UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.
The Role
We are recruiting for an exciting, brand new role for an experienced Quality Officer with extensive quality management skills, coupled with technical expertise in a relevant field to support the delivery of the NQCC core objectives.
The Quality Officer will work closely with all staff across the NQCC to build and review documentation including a quality management plan, standard operating model, logic map and associated procedures, performance measures, monitoring & evaluation reporting, systems engineering metrics, Centre processes & procedures and reporting to both NQCC management and STFC/EPSRC partners.
Background
As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), which includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field! The Centre is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
The purpose-built NQCC will be built and operated by UKRI at the STFC campus in Oxfordshire. The Centre will be open and operational by December 2022. Until then, the NQCC’s activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. Sitting alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories, the centre is included in the broader programme (NQTP).
The primary purpose of the NQCC is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.
The NQCC’s initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards an error and noise-free fault-tolerant machine capability with benchmarking and verification demonstrated in collaboration with the UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to develop and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.
Working closely with the project delivery teams and technology implementation teams to ensure understanding and adherence to the plan.
The successful candidate would be expected to:
- Maintain Quality Assurance and supporting documentation
- Carry out quality checks and inspection on-site and at supplier premises
- Working within the Divisions ISO9001 Quality Management System
- Driving Continuous Improvement within the Centre
- Present work at internal and external meetings both within the UK and internationally
- Attend international meetings with collaborators.
Skills and Experience Required
Essential Criteria
- Educated to DEGREE LEVEL or HNC/HND or Relevant Engineering, Technical or Science Discipline / Significant Relevant Experience
- Significant demonstrable Quality Management / Assurance experience in the field of scientific or technology delivery
- Recognised Quality Management qualifications (Quality Assurance professional institute i.e. CQI.) or relevant experience
- Demonstrate knowledge of Quality Assurance techniques, be able to generate the required documentation and ideally some understanding of high-performance computing or related technologies syngeneic with STFC facilities or programme
- Pragmatic attitude towards the work of others, particularly in a collaborative environment where there is no line-management control of participants (e.g., Matrix management of projects and resources)
- Significant experience in writing quality documentation
- Depth of experience in monitoring quality performance and continual improvement
- Demonstration of effective communication skills
- The role holder is likely to take the lead in Quality Management on behalf of the Organisation
- Extensive IT skills including the following applications: MS Office & MS Project
- Technical or scientific experience relevant to the post
- A good understanding of basic engineering principles and manufacturing drawings
- A good understanding of project management techniques
- Public sector institution Monitoring & Evaluation processes and reporting.
Desirable:
- Experience of project delivery within an ISO9001 quality management system
- Appreciation of Risk Analysis methods and Risk Mitigation techniques for sophisticated research projects
- Appreciation of Health, Safety and Environment
- Understanding of high-performance computing and/or relevant related technologies
- Experience using and developing Product Lifecycle Management systems
- Experience of working within ISO 9001:2015
- Familiarity with UKRI policies and procedures.
The post holder may need to be requested to travel/work within the UK and overseas, when required.
Technical expertise in quantum computing is not required since this is provided by the project’s scientific and technical participants.
Consideration will be given to a less experienced individual if there is evidence of potential and passion to grow into the role.