The LSST:UK Consortium is inviting applications for the role of Project Leader as the term of office of the current Leader, Bob Mann, is coming to an end. This key position is funded at a level of 0.2 FTE and that indicates the level of time commitment the position requires. Note that the current Leader is permitted to apply, ie. essentially for re-appointment. It is available from ~October 2025, with an initial appointment for 3 years, although the position and its funding are expected to continue beyond that date. The role description for the Project Leader appears below.

The application process will run in two phases:

Phase 1: submission of letters of intent

Any candidates interested in being considered for the Project Leader role are invited to submit a letter of intent via email to Mike Watson (email: mgw@le.ac.uk) by 17.00 on 20 June 2025. Letters of intent need only contain applicants name, institution and position.

Phase 2: full applications

If more than one letter of intent is received by the 20 June deadline, full applications will be solicited. Full applications will require to be submitted by email to Mike Watson (email: mgw@le.ac.uk)  by 17.00 on 1 Sept 2025 and should comprise the following:

• a short academic CV (max. 2 pages) highlighting achievements and experience relevant to the Project Leader post;

• a personal statement (max. 2 pages) summarising the applicant's involvement in LSST to date and explaining their interest in, and suitability for, the Project Leader role, with reference to the role description below; and

• a short statement from the applicant's Head of Department (or equivalent) confirming that their institution would accept STFC funding at the 0.2 FTE level should the applicant be successful and that the commitments outlined in the role description are consistent with the applicant's other duties.

Informal questions from potential applicants may be addressed to any of the following:

• Mike Watson (mgw@le.ac.uk): LSST:UK Consortium Board Chair

• Bob Mann (rgm@roe.ac.uk): current LSST:UK Project Leader

• Graham Smith (gps@star.sr.bham.ac.uk): LSST:UK Project Scientist. 

Applications would be particularly welcome from those who would increase the diversity of LSST:UK leadership.

Project Leader Role Description

The Project Leader (PL) is responsible for ensuring the overall success of the LSST:UK programme, within constraints set by the Consortium Board, by whom the PL is appointed and to whom they are answerable. The primary objectives of the PL are: (i) to ensure that the LSST:UK Science Centre programme is sufficiently well resourced and well managed to be successful; and (ii) to implement policies and processes defined or approved by the Consortium Board for the operation of the LSST:UK consortium.

The specific activities needed to meet those objectives will vary with time, but include the following:

• Leading the interaction between LSST:UK and STFC. The PL leads the development of LUSC funding proposals and the reporting on funded activities to STFC and its LSST Oversight Committee.

• Acting as the primary contact between LSST:UK and the Rubin Observatory. The PL is the Program Lead for the UK’s in-kind programme and is the principal point of contact between the Rubin leadership and LSST:UK for matters relating to UK data rights. More generally, the PL liaises with the Rubin Observatory leadership to advance the involvement of the UK community in the Rubin LSST.

• Maintaining the LSST:UK Long-Term Plan. The PL periodically refreshes the Long-Term Plan, which enshrines the top-level objectives for UK involvement in the Rubin LSST and the strategy for attaining them.

• Liaising with the Consortium Board. The PL attends Consortium Board meetings, to report on LUSC and LSST:UK progress, and liaises with the Board (and, in particular, its Chair) between meetings when significant decisions need to be taken and processes approved.

• Chairing meetings of the Executive Group, Project Delivery Group and LUSC Team. The PL chairs the meetings of the Executive Group, and ensures that their agendas provide the Executive Group with sufficient information to monitor the progress of LUSC and LSST:UK activities on a month-by-month basis. The PL also chairs the meetings of both the full LUSC Team and the Project Delivery Group (comprising the LUSC Work Package Leaders) and is responsible for ensuring that these meetings share the information needed for these two groups to work effectively.

• Leading the day-to-day operation of LSST:UK and LUSC. The PL is responsible for the effective day-to-day operation of LSST:UK and the LUSC programme within the financial and policy frameworks set by STFC, the Rubin Observatory and the LSST:UK Consortium Board.