Science Delivery Coordinator (Mid-Life Upgrade Programme)

University of Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

ID: 7115603 (Ref.No. ENVEE1624)
Posted: November 8, 2022

Job Description

Do you have experience of coordinating and delivering engineering or scientific research projects? Are you a skilled organiser who enjoys the challenge of managing complex stakeholder requirements? Would you like to be at the heart of a team enabling the modernisation of an internationally-leading atmospheric airborne laboratory? If so, we really want to hear from you! 

The FAAM Airborne Laboratory (FAAM) is a unique, highly modified 4-engine jet aircraft adapted to carry a range of science instruments, dedicated to supporting the UK atmospheric science community and users of atmospheric science data. The Facility is managed by a highly skilled team of scientists, engineers, flight technicians and project managers forming a complete package of support for the scientific community. The Facility is supported by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and is an environmental research infrastructure of national and international importance.

The exciting £50m Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Programme aims to deliver a range of upgrades and enhancements to the aircraft, its measurement capabilities and its research impact, extending its useful life to 2040. Successful delivery of the Programme will enable the FAAM Airborne Laboratory to meet the ongoing and future requirements for UK researchers, the Met Office, UK government bodies, commercial organisations and international research bodies.

As the Science Delivery Coordinator for the Mid-Life Upgrade Programme you will use your knowledge of relevant science systems and their applications to take the lead in ensuring all tasks with science-relevant content are effectively defined and understood to enable accurate planning and delivery. You will be central to engaging with stakeholders to ensure they are well briefed on programme tasks that may impact their activities and manage their feedback and inputs to generate well-aligned work plans. For this, you will work closely with the MLU Director, Project Manager, activity leads and external stakeholders to help with planning, development, monitoring and review of tasks. This means you'll have excellent organisational skills, be a great problem-solver, and have really good communication and interpersonal skills to help you successfully interact, engage and negotiate with technical and operational stakeholders. 

This is an exciting and truly unique role. You will have the opportunity to fly on a research aircraft, work with some of the very best atmospheric scientists, thereby directly supporting cutting edge climate change science. Come and join our team! 

This post will be employed by University of Leeds, but will be based at the FAAM Airborne Laboratory on the campus at Cranfield University.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Ed Andrews, Mid-Life Upgrade Project Manager, FAAM Airborne Laboratory

Email:  [email protected]

Tel:  +44 (0) 7874 887786


Location:  Cranfield
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Environment
School/Institute:  School of Earth and Environment
Category:  Research
Grade:  Grade 7
Salary:  £35,333 to £42,155
Working Time:  Fixed term to 31 March 2026
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (39 months)
Release Date:  Monday 07 November 2022
Closing Date:  Monday 05 December 2022
Reference:  ENVEE1624


The University community is made up of a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances, which we value and regard as a great asset. As part of our continued commitment to equality and inclusion, we strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and have a real opportunity to participate in and contribute to our activities.