Centre Manager - Geographic Data Service (GeoDS)

UK Dementia Research Institute; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Dementia Research Institute seeks a Centre Manager for the Geographic Data Service at UCL. This role encompasses managing a national data service, developing partnerships, and overseeing project administration while supporting an interdisciplinary team. The position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to smart data research and foster growth in geographic data utilization.

Benefits

41 days holiday

Cycle to work scheme

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Enhanced parental leave

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex projects and budgets.
• Ability to document project aims and outputs.
• Experience or interest in Geographic Information Science is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Development and maintenance of a national data service providing smart data.
• Oversight of the Smart Data Research UK grant.
• Fostering partnerships with data providers.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Time Management

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree in relevant discipline

Job description

Centre Manager - Geographic Data Service (GeoDS)

University College London (UCL) is one of the world's top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos – that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society – continues today.

The UCL Department of Geography is a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research across a broad range of research themes. The Department has a long and distinguished tradition of top-quality cross and interdisciplinary research with geographic information scientists, social scientists, climate modellers, urbanists, environmental scientists and geoscientists all working on a huge variety of projects across the domains of Environment, Resources, Heritage and Social Science. Further details of the department are at https://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/ .

This position is funded as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)-funded Geographic Data Service (GeoDS: https://geods.ac.uk/) which is part of the ESRC Smart Data Research UK initiative (www.sdruk.ukri.org/ ), delivered through the UCL Department of Geography.

Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) is an investment of £22 million in new data services, enabling researchers across the UK to access new forms of smart data. These services include the first national smart data donation service, a pioneering satellite imagery service, and services that provide new insights into our economy, environment, health, and wellbeing.

Smart data is data generated through everyday interactions with the digital world, including via mobile apps, navigation systems, social media, and shopping. It offers a powerful opportunity to understand society and improve lives.

The Geographic Data Service (GeoDS) seeks to integrate a wide range of data sources togenerate new insights into equitable and sustainable growth – bringing focus to geographic disparities, barriers to opportunity and the circumstances of vulnerable populations. Building on the strong foundation of the Consumer Data Research Centre (data.cdrc.ac.uk), the GeoDS team develop partnerships with data providers and coordinate a national master’s dissertation programme to engage a new generation of smart data researchers.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with management experience and interest in Geographic Information Science. The post holder will be part of an interdisciplinary team spanning both UCL, the University of Liverpool, the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh charged with developing and maintaining a national data service that provides ‘smart data’ to researchers. They will be a member of the GeoDS Senior Management Team and will lead the Service Administration Group. The post holder will work closely with the Technical Manager and team of data scientists, data engineers, software engineer and data journalist. In addition to the day-to-day running of the data service the Centre Manager will oversee the Smart Data Research UK grant. The work will also entail fostering and cultivating relationships with commercial and other external partners who supply data to the GeoDS.

The post holder must be able to work flexibly, independently and proactively, and enjoy working with a wide range of individuals and teams, including academic and professional services staff within the Faculty and within UCL’s Finance and Human Resources Divisions, and a range of external stakeholders.

The role requires working with Personal and Sensitive Personal Data (as defined under General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR). You will be expected to understand legal liability issues related to the handling of GeoDS research data and emulate best practice in this area.

The full job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

This is a full time, fixed term, maternity cover post with funding available from early/mid-August 2025 - 31st March 2029. Funding is available at Grade 8, spine point 39-41 per annum (including London Allowance). This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 40% on site. This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more.

Informal enquiries may be made to Prof. Paul Longley via Mr Richard Arnold ([e-mail]).

If you have any queries regarding the application process, or if you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the department’s research administration team: [e-mail]

About you

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level in relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience, and have experience of research, contract and budget management and managing complex projects, as well as experience of leading stakeholder and strategic partnership management, with the ability to interpret and document project aims and outputs to a wider audience.

You should also have experience of service evaluation and delivery, including reporting to Senior Management Team (SMT), with excellent time management skills and attention to detail, together with the ability to deliver work on time and to tight deadlines.

Experience or interest in Geographic Information Science and familiarity with social science and Smart data, including database structures and metadata creation is desirable, but not essential.

Please see the full job description and person specification at the bottom of this page for more information.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan Relocation scheme for certain posts;
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

The Department is committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion; we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and networks for B A ME, LGBTQ, and disabled/neurodiverse staff and students. The Department recognises the importance of family-friendly working and we try, as far as possible, to organise meetings and events with staff responsibilities as parents and carers in mind. The Department currently holds an Athena Swan Silver award and is working towards a Gold award. Above all, the Department aims to be a supportive environment for both its staff and students. We especially welcome applications from candidates from under-represented backgrounds, and from candidates using a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches.

Further details of the department are athttps://www.ucl.ac.uk/geography/ .

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.