Programme Director Cohort 3
UK independent public R&D funding agency that backs high-risk, high-reward scientific and technological research.
Funding history
About Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
ARIA is an independent UK non-departmental public body that funds and manages Programme Director-led research programmes intended to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will develop scientific or technical visions into ambitious R&D programmes. You will conduct discovery across the UK ecosystem, select and fund projects, manage portfolios against evidence, adapt strategy and build communities that support transformative breakthroughs.
Requirements
- Demonstrate significant expertise and research experience in a scientific, engineering or technology field
- Bring experience beyond traditional academic research
- Make ARIA your primary professional focus
- Be able to spend time in the UK
- Travel regularly across the UK and occasionally abroad
- Spend at least three days per week at ARIA HQ during the first and third weeks of each month
- Have or be able to obtain the right to work in the UK
- Complete required national security vetting
Responsibilities
- Design and launch ambitious R&D programmes
- Conduct discovery across academia, industry, government, non-profits and the wider R&D ecosystem
- Translate discovery into focused programmes and funding mechanisms
- Select and fund portfolios of R&D projects
- Manage programme and project portfolios using evidence
- Adapt strategy, redirect funding, scale promising work or stop underperforming work
- Create and grow communities around programme visions
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days
- Hybrid working arrangements
- Enhanced family leave
- 24/7 employee assistance programme
- Life assurance
- Two paid volunteer days
- 5% defined contribution pension scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
Hiring Process
Where possible, campaign-style processes: after all applications are received and talent screens are held, candidates are downselected for formal interviews.