Project Assistant

Job Description

Project Assistant Salary: £25,702 to £27,938 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).Benefits: 30 days holiday + 8 bank holidays + 2.5 privilege days + exceptional defined average salary pension + excellent work life balanceHours: Full time (37 hours) or Part time (minimum 22.5 hours per week)Contract Type: Open Ended.Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, EdinburghThe closing date for applications is 9th January 2023Come and discover how much you can achieve when youre surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.Located at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is the UK national centre for the design and construction of world-leading instruments and systems for astronomy.As a science driven, professional engineering organisation, we employ state-of-the-art technologies across all our products, including complex optical and infra-red detectors, vacuum-cryogenics, control electronics and software, for both astronomy and non-astronomyapplications; and we manage collaborations with academic and industrial partners around the world.As we continue to grow and develop our project portfolio, the UK ATC now seeks an experienced Project Assistant to provide administrative support to project managers and to the various internal/external staff involved in our projects. Working with otherProject Assistants as part of a flexible and agile team, and reporting to the Head of Project Management, you will support a number of projects.Your duties will include:* Coordinating and ensuring the efficient running of all project meetings, which will include managing attendance and recording meeting notes minutes and actions.* Tracking and progressing project action items, risk and fault logs, etc.* Communicating effectively to all project staff, using appropriate media including emails, written briefings and verbal communications.* Assisting the Project Managers in monitoring their project progress and costs via the use of spreadsheets, project plans, and reports from the finance system.* Helping to organise and prepare for formal reviews and workshops.* Helping to arrange departmental travel for project staff, working with our travel providers.* Participating in project and office procurement and managing purchase orders in conjunction with SBS (Shared Business Services).* Supporting continuous improvement efforts in the Project Management GroupAbout you You will be a proactive, reliable team player who is used to managing your own work and responsibilities with minimum supervision. Project work involves many people working collaboratively across various UK and international institutes on multiple tasks. Therefore,good interpersonal skills and clear communication, as well as administrative and organisational efficiency, is needed to work effectively while managing conflicting needs in a busy office environment.Essential* Minimum of two SQA Highers or Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Administration or equivalent * SQA National 5, GCSE or equivalent qualifications in English and Mathematics at Grade C or better* Well organised with strong administrative skills * IT literate with good PC skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office tools * Excellent communication skills * Proactive, reliable, and personable team player * Able to work well under pressure when there are tight deadlinesDesirable* Experience of working in a technical and/or academic environment * Managing financial budgets * Understanding of project management processes and prioritiesThis is a permanent position with a host of benefits including:* 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).* Flexible working hours.* An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.* Employee shopping/travel discounts.* Excellent learning and development opportunities.We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are invested in creating an environment that is welcoming and supportive of all. In this regard, we encourage applications from under-represented groups.We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.As one of Europes largest research organisations, this is a place where theres always something new to learn -about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover whats possible.