Project Manager (R&D) – Maternity Cover (9–12 Month FTC)

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31 Jul 2026
31 Jul 2026
Teddington, United Kingdom
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Project Management Office
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Salary starting from £40,138 - depending on experience
Fixed Term Contract

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Project Manager (R&D) – Maternity Cover (9–12 Month FTC)

About the Role
At NPL, we set the standards that enable innovation. As the UK’s National Measurement Institute, our work underpins scientific discovery, industrial progress and confidence in data.

Addressing climate change, meeting targets such as net zero and creating a sustainable future for humanity are among the biggest challenges that society faces today. Scientific measurement plays a key role across the board, to understand the Earth system, to identify the potential for innovation, to assuring innovations do deliver as intended. The role holder will have a great opportunity in learning NPL’s capability across environmental science, with the potential to work across atmospheric monitoring and emission measurements, to climate and Earth Observation

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to join one of our science teams on a fixed-term maternity cover. Reporting to the Group Leader and supported by a central Project Management Office (PMO), you will deliver customer funded and grant funded R&D projects through the full lifecycle.

You will bring structure, clarity and control to technically complex work, ensuring projects are delivered to agreed time, cost and quality, while remaining transparent, proportionate and compliant.

This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of science, delivery, and customer impact, contributing to projects that have real-world significance.
About You
What We’re Looking For

Proven experience delivering R&D or technically complex projects with hardware and software components

Strong customer-facing and stakeholder management skills

Experience managing contracts or grant-funded projects

Proven ability to work effectively within a scientific team environment

Strong capability in planning, forecasting, risk and financial management

What is Required for the Role

Key Responsibilities

Deliver commercial R&D projects to agreed time, cost, scope and quality.

Build clear delivery plans, manage forecasts, risks, issues, dependencies and change control.

Maintain strong relationships with customers, stakeholders, Technical Leads and the Group Leader.

Coordinate delivery across internal teams, multiple partner organisations and subcontracts, tracking deliverables progress, ensuring alignment on plans and dependencies.

Ensure deliverables, acceptance criteria, reporting and governance remain clear, proportionate and align with contractual obligations.

Manage budgets, supplier inputs where relevant, and project closure in line with contract or grant terms.

Capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement in project management practice.
Desirable

Professional project management qualification (e.g. APM PMF/PMQ, PRINCE2, PMP)

Experience managing a portfolio of projects under a shared Technical Lead, balancing resource allocation, competing priorities and delivery timelines across multiple project stages

Working at NPL

Hybrid working supported, with a balance of on-site collaboration and flexibility

Supported by a central PMO, providing tools, guidance and community

Work within expert scientific teams on projects with national and global impact

Be part of a culture that values integrity, collaboration and continuous improvement
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
About Us
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.