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There are two things that we want to share with anyone considering joining us.

Firstly, we’ve got big ambitions for our colleagues and the future of the organisation. These include our vision that inclusion and accessibility drive every conversation we have and every decision we make. We want our workforce to fully represent the communities and customers we serve, because a diverse business is a better business. We value every colleague, their diversity and the contribution that they make. When we say you’re welcome at BT, we really mean it.

Secondly, the one thing the pandemic has taught us is that a lot of current and future colleagues, where and when possible, want to embrace hybrid working. Therefore, we are introducing smart working at BT. Smart working means having the flexibility to choose, as a team, how and where you work depending on your team’s deliverables and needs; when you are at your shared core location to connect with others and when not. It may not be for every role, and, as part of the recruitment process, you’ll have the chance to discuss smart working and how it might work for the job you are applying for.

About this role

Network innovation sits at the heart of BT’s long term success and drives our ability to serve customers both now and in the future. This role is vital as part of our innovation pipeline for designing, developing and demonstrating novel quantum optical applications for communications. This will include quantum timing, quantum key distribution and quantum sensing. And will rely on the role holders capabilities in optics, laser design and development, and precision scientific lab experience. The post holder will design and develop laser systems for a range of quantum optical applications and manage and support this technology within BT Labs. This will include working with bespoke laser vendors and optical equipment providers to identify the ideal technology solutions to meet research requirements and budgets.   

This is a research manager role in Applied Research where the individual will contribute to one or more research projects, applying their expertise within a clearly defined sphere of technical knowledge, The role holder actively engages with collegues to progress new research in important technical topics and supports the realisation of business value from research and innovation outputs. 

The post holder will be part of a small research team working to turn advances in novel network physics and engineering into early working prototypes with an emphasis on realising technology readiness level 4/5 and field trials. This role will involve working with a team of experts in Applied Research, external academic institutions and third party manufacturers and suppliers.   

The post holder must be comfortable with risk and uncertainty – these prototypes will be speculative and many of them won’t work as expected.  However, if we are bold, learn and pivot when necessary, the ones that do work will create genuine new transformational opportunities for BT.  

Specifically this role is accountable for: 

1. Contributing to novel work or clear technical recommendations leading to new solutions to business challenges and opportunities in areas supporting BT’s strategic priorities, or in new fields with potential impact on BT’s future business.

2. Maintaining awareness of advances in their field.

3. Preparing reports and presentations to customers and collaborative partners

4. Contributing to journal publications, popular science articles etc. which contribute to BT’s world-class standing in telecommunications and ICT research. 

5. Contributing to the creation of intellectual property rights which will enhance BT’s competitive position

6. Providing consultancy on their area of expertise to BT businesses and other R&D project teams as required

7. Proposing new opportunities for BT arising from their research (e.g. new revenues, cost savings or improvements to customer service).

You'll have the following responsibilities

• Managing research projects/tasks, both internal to Applied Research and with collaborative partners.

• Technical expert responsible for maintaining expertise in a specific technical domain (Quantum Optics).

• Responsible for intellectual property creation and supporting IPR exploitation where appropriate.

• Accountable for defining and performing research in a specific domain (i.e. Quantum Optics) or area that is typically unknown, complex, high impact and high value across multiple domains.

• Responsible for authoring thought leadership technical papers, capturing intellectual property. 

• Supervision of graduate and post-graduate student placements and secondments. 

You'll have the following skills & experience

Essential Skills

• Quantum Optics and Advanced Laser Development: Significant experience in state-of-the-art laser development for atomic transition pumping, eg. atomic spectroscopy, two photon experiments and/or quantum applications.      

• Technical domain expert: Deep technical or domain expertise. They continually develop their expertise in a key technical area, so they are recognised as a technical expert in that domain

• Qualifications: Strong academic record in technology and engineering specialism, qualified to degree level and may hold a post-graduate qualification.

• Expert communicator: Presents to peers and managers about their research and area of technical expertise

• Experienced in open innovation: Contributes to creation of patents, technical publications, conference presentations etc.

• Story-telling with data: strong skills in building the case for change, drawing on data and analytical techniques where appropriate, and communicating this to business audiences.

• Concept Evaluation: ability to spot relevant innovations, horizon scanning, determine relevance for the business, develop an effective conceptualisation and build trials to test the concept.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of leading tasks within technical projects, defining scope and ensuring delivery.

Benefits

• Competitive salary

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)  

• 10% on target bonus

• Pension scheme 5% / 10% business contribution

• Shares Plan

• Flexible benefits: cycle to work, childcare vouchers, healthcare, etc.

• Discounted BT products