UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
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Unveiling the Blueprint: Crafting and Launching PRISM Job Descriptions at UCL
Donna Swann, Deputy Director ARC, Principal PRISM
Chris Langridge, Departmental Manager, Senior PRISM
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Who are we?
Donna Swann, Deputy Director of ARC �Lead the department to run a multi-million pound organisation to deliver research IT service and platforms, education and research to support computation science and digital scholarship @UCL
Chris Langridge, Departmental Manager
Responsible for the day-to-day running of the department, overseeing; finance, HR, procurement and administration services. Providing support and delivery for research and infrastructure objectives.
Louise Chisholm, Principal PRISM, Joint Director of UK SKA Regional Centre
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Our Capabilities
Our Objectives
To ensure that UCL is recognised globally as a leader in the application of data, software and compute intensive methods for research and innovation
Our Vision
Research Data Management
ARC Research & Impact
Digital Research
Education
Digital Research Platforms
Digital Research
Professionals
Collaborations & Community
Advanced Research Computing
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
James Hetherington Advocate for Talent Mgt & development
(ARC Director)
Research Technology Professionals @UCL – People focus
Service and now Research��Team Based Science – not academic v admin
Not just ‘admin staff’ �Value ‘Research Managers’
BACKDROP
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Gone from 50 – 100 in 2 years!
Funding Model – Core and Research Funded
Collab team – �RSE, Data Scientists, Infrastructure Developers, Data Stewards and PRISMS
50-70 research funded projects, > £3 million research income
Post doc model to Cost recovery model�
Operating Model
PRISMs within ARC
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Operations and Strategic Development Group
Donna Swann�Principal PRISM
Jo Lampard
Research Community Lead
Chris Langridge �Senior PRISM
Jodie Jackson�PRISM
Tanya Roumelioti
Research Enterprise Manager
Deborah Johnstone
Research Finance Administrator
Antonia Coote�Research Finance Administrator
Louise Chisholm
Principal PRISM
Rahil Alipour�PRISM
Development of standardized job descriptions
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Apprentice�PRISM
Assistant �PRISM
PRISM
Senior �PRISM
Principal�PRISM
Head of�PRISM
Key Points:
Development of standardized job descriptions
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Grade 9
Grade 6
Development of standardized job descriptions
Developing the Job Family was key to ensuring success of PRISM. This relied on several factors:�
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Fitting the job to roles
Within UCL several job titles are common, and require no explanation. Changing titles to PRISM can cause confusion.
By undertaking this within a longer timeline, and it not being an overnight decision, we have been able to incorporate this as an identity and explain the job family to the wider community.
Whilst PRISM is still uncommon within UCL, allowing staff to identify themselves to best fit the community they are interacting with has a great value.
Change takes time!
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Fitting the job to roles – external understanding
Advertising:
- Standard JDs help minimise admin
- All roles and grades are always open as part of an evergreen campaign
- Addition of a “flavour” allows for tailoring of advert to meet needs
Recruitment:
- Not everyone reads the Advert
- Easy to spot good skill set
- Not an Investment Bankers!
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Implementation and Continuation
As the Department grows in Research Capability there is a greater need to ensure that there are PRISMs to support this. To achieve this, we look at following factors:
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Implementation and Continuation
Important to acknowledge that not all roles will be recovered, and not all skills are suitable for grant funding.
Work has to be met with core funding whilst research portfolio increases.
Recent changes to UKRI support PRISM roles, this allows for wider recovery.
Several grants have already been awarded to support PRISMs within ARC:
�Several other recent large grant submissions to a wide range of funders – as research income continues to grows it is important to ensure staff can pivot onto new projects. Careful management of staff, skill and expectations are required.
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Promotions
ARC was instrumental in piloting a promotion round in 2022 – the first of it’s kind to happen at UCL for professional service staff.
After a successful pilot this has now been included in our yearly cycle allowing this to take place every year.
Staff are able to self-refer, with or without the support of their line manager, allowing for greater freedom and career development.
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Promotions
The benefits of running this scheme include staff retention, career development, moving amongst projects, recognition of research and more autonomy.
ARC considers 10% of staff for promotion each year, across all five professions.
Staff must complete prerequisites including; appraisal, mandatory learning, letters of support (for senior promotions)
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Promotions – 2022 data
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
| Applications | Manager Referral | Self Referral |
ARC | 13 | n/a | 13 |
Room for Improvement?
Benefits
Challenges
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Next Steps
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)
Thank you & Questions
UCL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING (ARC)