Call for Expressions of Interest for Scientific Advisor to UK SKAO Council Delegates

In accordance with the timeline for the next SKAO Council meeting in July 2026, expressions of interest are being invited for the next Scientific Advisor to UK SKAO Council Delegates, supporting the STFC Executive Chair and DSIT.

Key responsibilities of the Scientific Advisor:

To attend the UK SKAO Programme Board meetings, open and restricted sessions of SKAO Council, and SKAO Member State science advisor meetings. To advise the UK SKAO Council delegates at the UK SKAO Programme Board meetings and SKAO Council, as a representative of the UK SKAO and radio astronomy communities. Stand in as a delegate if one of the UK SKAO Council delegates is unavailable. Engage with STFC on SKAO-related matters as and when required.

Time commitment:

Attend SKAO Council three times a year in March, July, November. Ordinarily one meeting is at SKAO HQ in Jodrell Bank, one is in South Africa or Australia, and the third is in another SKAO member state. STFC will cover essential T&S expenses for these meetings. The dates of the 2026 meetings are 8-9th July in the UK (SKAO HQ), 17-18th November in South Africa. Attend SKAO Member State informal science advisor meetings, usually in the week of SKAO Council. UK SKAO Programme Board meet three times a year in hybrid mode and will always be the week before SKAO Council.

Assessment criteria

A sub-panel of the UK SKAO Programme Board, composed of a community member, STFC and DSIT representation, will assess expressions of interest based on the following assessment criteria:

1. An understanding of the Radio Astronomy programme, associated projects and facilities, in the UK, Europe and beyond, including SKAO.
2. Experience of large research infrastructure construction projects.
3. Experience of providing advice at a strategic level or experience in developing strategy in an academic or government environment.
4. Experience of working across international boundaries, particularly with regards to research collaborations.
5. A willingness to travel for SKAO Council and attend meetings in different time zones remotely.
6. The position is for an initial three-year term, renewable once. The UK SKAO Council delegates from STFC and DSIT on advice from a sub-panel of the UK SKAO Programme Board will determine and approve the preferred candidate. The appointment will begin in July 2026, to coincide with SKAO Council taking place on the 8-9th July at the SKAO HQ, Jodrell Bank Observatory.

How to Apply

Please send expressions of interest via email to Simon Haynes (UK SKAO Programme Manager), simon.haynes@stfc.ukri.org by Friday 15 May.

Expressions of interest should be no longer than 500 words, should explain how your experience meets the assessment criteria, and should declare any possible conflicts of interest. If you have any further questions on the role, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Simon.