Science and Technology Lead Living Architecture
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 help shape and deliver a research programme exploring living organisms as functional engineering materials. You will advise on technical strategy, assess proposals and milestones, lead technical discussions, communicate complex ideas, and support project delivery. You will build relationships across the research ecosystem, represent the programme at events, and contribute to technical culture, funding mechanisms, and cross-programme learning.
Requirements
- First-hand exposure to developing living architecture, including growing or retrofitting buildings or growing building materials using biology
- Strong understanding of and expertise in engineering
- Ability to navigate diverse technical projects
- Skill in identifying technical bottlenecks, risk analysis and resolution, milestone tracking, and reporting
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts and timelines for diverse stakeholders
- Ability to learn and adapt rapidly to new scientific areas
- Ability to identify non-obvious opportunities and risks across teams, ideas, and research
- Ability to work effectively amid uncertainty and in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to articulate and interrogate complex concepts clearly and structurally
- Scientific qualification, preferably a PhD or deeper technical experience in engineering, biodesign, biology, or a similar field
Responsibilities
- Shape and deliver a research programme focused on growing buildings
- Review project proposals, grant applications, and technical milestones
- Lead and contribute to technical discussions, workshops, and formal reviews
- Provide evidence-based technical insight to inform strategic decisions
- Communicate complex scientific ideas to stakeholders
- Identify emerging technologies, people, ideas, opportunities, and risks
- Co-author white papers, open calls, and technical reviews
- Track project delivery and benchmark technical progress against the state of the art
- Maintain knowledge of past and current programmes and Creator projects
- Represent the programme at events, workshops, and talks
- Build relationships with researchers, laboratories, founders, and Activation Partners
- Collaborate on funding models, budgets, tooling, and operational mechanisms
- Share best practices and learnings across programmes
- Help sustain scientific and operational culture
- Travel within the UK and internationally as necessary to support projects
Benefits
- 27 days of annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days
- Hybrid working arrangements with 60% in office and 40% at home
- Enhanced family leave arrangements
- Free confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
- 2 paid volunteer days
- 5% defined-contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
- 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.