About the Role
You’ll help shape one of the UK's most strategically important technology sectors.
The UK semiconductor sector is experiencing significant growth and investment.
From AI and telecommunications to defence, advanced manufacturing and clean energy, semiconductors underpin many of the technologies that will drive future economic growth and resilience.
NPL is playing an increasingly important role in helping industry, government and academia develop the measurement science, standards and collaborative programmes needed to accelerate semiconductor innovation and commercialisation.
As our portfolio continues to grow, we are looking for a talented Programme Manager to help coordinate activities across NPL, strengthen engagement with external stakeholders and support the development of future opportunities.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys bringing people together, managing complex programmes and working at the interface between science, technology, policy and industry.
We are looking for you to deliver 50% network and project management paid for by commercial contracts and 50% business development (currently Partnerships – Advanced Manufacturing and remains vital for the future BU Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Assurance).
You'll need to have sufficient technical understanding of semiconductor technologies to engage credibly with stakeholders, appreciate NPL’s capabilities and help shape their future development.
Curiosity, relationship-building skills, strong programme management capability and a desire to learn are also important attributes we will need.
About You
You will work closely with colleagues from across NPL to coordinate a growing portfolio of semiconductor-related projects and stakeholder activities.
You'll create greater visibility, alignment and impact across a diverse range of activities involving industry, government, academia and international partners.
The role combines programme delivery with partnership development and strategic stakeholder engagement.
One day you might be coordinating a programme board, the next facilitating discussions between industry leaders and government departments, helping develop a funding opportunity, or gathering evidence of impact from across the portfolio.
This is an opportunity to become a recognised figure within an emerging national community and to help shape how NPL supports one of the UK's key technology priorities.
What you'll be doing
Leading and coordinating programmes
Lead a portfolio of semiconductor projects and initiatives across NPL.
Track progress, risks, dependencies and delivery milestones.
Support governance activities, reviews and reporting.
Work with technical teams to ensure activities deliver value for customers and stakeholders.
Maintain oversight of programme performance, benefits and impact.
Building and managing relationships
Develop relationships with industry, academia, government departments, Catapults, Innovate UK and funding organisations.
Act as a focal point for semiconductor stakeholder engagement across NPL.
Organise workshops, roundtables, advisory groups and community events.
Help strengthen NPL's position within the UK semiconductor ecosystem.
Helping grow the programme
Identify emerging opportunities, partnerships and funding calls.
Support the development of new projects and collaborative programmes.
Contribute to bids, business cases and strategic planning activities.
Gather evidence of impact and stakeholder needs to inform future investment.
Communicating impact
Create compelling reports, presentations and stakeholder updates.
Capture examples of industrial impact and success stories.
Help communicate the value of NPL's semiconductor activities internally and externally.
Essential
We're looking for someone who...
Has a technical background in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, ideally in semiconductors or a closely related area.
Can understand NPL’s technical capabilities, recognise opportunities for their development, and work with technical teams to identify the partnerships needed to grow them.
Can engage credibly with industry, government and academia, connecting technical capabilities with stakeholder needs and translating these into opportunities for collaboration and programme growth.
Has experience coordinating projects or programmes involving multiple stakeholders, with knowledge of government funding rules and finances.
Enjoys building relationships and connecting people around a common goal.
Is organised, proactive and comfortable managing several priorities simultaneously.
Is an excellent communicator, capable of working with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Can influence and collaborate effectively without direct authority.
Has experience preparing reports, presentations and programme documentation.
Is comfortable dealing with ambiguity and helping shape emerging opportunities.
Particularly valuable
Experience working with government, academia, industry partnerships or collaborative R&D programmes.
Experience of innovation, commercialisation or technology-based projects.
Understanding of UK innovation funding mechanisms
Personal qualities
We're particularly interested in people who are:
Naturally curious and keen to learn about new technologies.
Enthusiastic about building networks and communities.
Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders.
Motivated by creating impact through collaboration.
Excited by the opportunity to help shape a developing area of strategic importance for NPL and the UK.
What Success Looks Like
After 12 months, you will have:
Established a clear view of NPL's semiconductor portfolio and impact.
Built strong relationships across the UK semiconductor community.
Improved coordination and visibility across projects and stakeholders.
Helped shape new collaborative programmes and funding opportunities.
Contributed to the growth and influence of NPL's semiconductor activities nationally and internationally.
About Us
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.
NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria.
Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged.
All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people.
We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.
We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees.
Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits.
Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.
To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.