Exploration Science Officer (Mars)

The Exploration Team is a part of the UK Space Agency's Discovery Directorate. It oversees the UK's activities in areas of space where humans do, or may one day, live and work: Low Earth Orbit, the Moon and Mars. These activities are associated with, or align to, the European Space Agency's Exploration Programme, of which the UK is a member state. The Exploration Science Officer for Mars will, under the overall management of the Exploration Science Manager, oversee the development and management of the UK academic communities which utilise the mission opportunities in ESA's Exploration programme in the fields of Martian planetary science and exploration. This involves grant management, running funding calls, working with the Exploration Science Manager to set strategic priorities The role will work closely with other members of the Exploration Team, as well as relevant teams across the UK Space Agency, ESA, DSIT and UKRI who cover remits in these fields, to make sure that the interests of Exploration are represented in other areas of work, and vice versa. The post holder will represent the Exploration Science team at working groups within UK Space Agency, UKRI, and wider UK academic networks, as well as internationally at ESA meetings and international working groups. Travel within the UK and Europe will be required, including the need to attend some meetings/conferences outside of normal working hours., Programme delivery

• Develop and implement funding calls to support the UK Exploration research community
• Work with Exploration Science Manager and academic stakeholders to develop strategic priorities for UK Space Agency Mars planetary science funding
• Grant management and delivery - ensure that team grant delivery is aligned to wider UK Space Agency practice; engage with cross-agency programmes to inform on best-practice, including some finance management.
Community management
• Build, support, advocate for, and champion the work of the UK Mars science community
• Represent UK Space Agency at key exploration science community groups, including academic and European/international scientific working groups.
Programme review
• Work across-agency with analysts to track benefits and monitor/evaluate UK Space Agency Mars science investments to inform future SR bids, business cases, and programme design
• Develop case studies to highlights the value of our investments.
  
  The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government's space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government's vision.
Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity's horizons. We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country. Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sector's interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes. We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency.