Project Manager – The Poseidon Project

Overview 

The Role: Project Manager – The Poseidon Project

Salary: circa £40,000 (depending on experience) 

Accountable to: Head of Research Programmes

Hours of work: Full-time (part-time considered), one-year contract (renewable) 

Location: Fully Remote or Hybrid, with some time based in the Oxford office.

Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays 

Job Summary 

CTRF is now seeking a Project Manager to coordinate an exciting new project within the marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) space.  This project will explore the mCDR field in conjunction with a Management Group and Steering Committee to identify priorities for further research and funding.  The post holder will need to synthesise significant amounts of information from a range of different sources and stakeholders and work with the Steering Committee to prepare reports identifying priority areas and recommendations for investment and/or further action.  Balancing the needs of different stakeholders and opinions through the Management Group will also be a key activity for this post.

CTRF is a non-profit company with a big ambition to tackle the climate emergency. We seek to invest in research which uses the power of biology to remove carbon and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and the oceans.  In particular, we seek research which has the potential to scale rapidly and to the scale needed by 2050.  As such, this position is a great opportunity to make a positive difference and impact. For more information, see our website: https://www.ctrfoundation.com/

Role Purpose

To coordinate The Poseidon Project partnership and lead the development and write-up of the synthesis report and final mCDR action reports/recommendations for the initiative. The postholder will conduct the synthesis of future directions of the marine carbon dioxide removal field from existing literature and roadmaps, work with an international scientific steering committee and management group and produce a report with clear and actionable directions and funding recommendations to help catalyse significant progress in mCDR by 2030.

Main Duties

1. Management and co-ordination:

1. Co-ordinate the initiative to ensure the timely delivery of key milestones, including regular reporting, as required
2. Hold regular meetings with the management group to update them on progress and seek direction and support as needed
3. Manage relationships with key consultants, e.g. external facilitators for workshops

2. Workshop delivery:

Assist in the delivery of two international workshops during 2025, to further explore these challenges and build consensus in the international ocean CDR community on R&D priorities.

3. Final report writing:

Prepare and publish a scientific paper, reviewed by the scientific committee, providing a clear synthesis of the available information and distilling to recommend a research programme which will provide the highest chance of making the greatest impact on the challenges and barriers within the sector.

Further information

This position can be fully remote or hybrid, based in Oxford.  If held fully remotely, there is an expectation that there would be a significant overlap (>4 hours/day) with the UK timezone.

This position is expected to be available immediately.

How to Apply  

Please provide a CV and cover letter to research@ctrfoundation.com via the 'Apply' button.

The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the role.  

The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy)-CTRF-Poseidon. For example: DaveHillyard-CV-0924-CTRF-Poseidon or DaveHillyard-CoverLetter-0924-CTRF-Poseidon.   

Timeline  

• Closing Date: 3^rd January 2025  

• Interviews: Mid to late January 2025. 

Selection process 

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add CTRF to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder. 

Equality Statement 

Equality and diversity are at the core of the CTRF values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. 

Queries  

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email in the first instance:  

Dr Luke Williams, Head of Research Programmes: lwilliams@ctrfoundation.com 

Person Specification

Criteria: Essential = E/Desirable = D. 

Point of Assessment (Shortlisting and/or Interview)

Knowledge, Education and Training:

• PhD in a discipline relevant to marine CDR. E
• Postdoctoral experience in a discipline relevant to marine CDR. D
• Interdisciplinary research training across multiple disciplines relevant to marine CDR. D
• Professional membership of relevant organisation/professional accreditation. D

Shortlisting

Experience:

• Track record of published research within a relevant discipline. E
• Track record of committee membership and chairing committees/teams. D
• Track record of running events designed for knowledge exchange, collaboration, or similar. D

Shortlisting

Skills and attributes:

• Proven high level communication skills, obtained through representation, influencing, negotiating and presentation activities. E
• Ability to command the respect of and establish effective working relationships with senior members of the mCDR community. E
• Ability to negotiate effectively on key issues in the mCDR space. E
• Ability to project manage: prioritise work and manage time effectively and complete agreed objectives within agreed standards and deadlines. E
• Ability to provide advice, analysis and interpretation of complex issues and provide solutions. E
• Ability to remain resilient, flexible, and work with conflicting priorities. E
• Proactive in approach to seeking and managing excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. E
• Working effectively and collegiately as part of an interdisciplinary team. E
• Ability to manage challenges and seek consensus. E
• Ability to think “big picture” and place focused research in the context of the broader scientific field. E 

Shortlisting and Interview

Other:

• Occasional requirement for national and international travel (to attend workshops) E  

Interview 

Essential Criteria – requirements without which a candidate would not be able to undertake the full remit of the role.  Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the short-listing stage.

Desirable Criteria – requirements which would be useful for the candidate to hold.  When shortlisting, these criteria will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.