Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant to Director Particle Physics

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: 36650 per annum Open Ended Full Time/Part time Closing Date:2nd November 2025

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Oxfordshire OX11 0DE

Together our scientists technologists engineers and business support teams explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether its sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when youre surrounded by world-leading experts encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

We have an exciting opportunity available to work in the Particle Physics Department (PPD) supporting the Director and leadership team as well as interfacing with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. This is a multifaceted role that requires a pro-active professional and motivated individual.

As part of the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) PPD undertakes and funds world-leading research and development and data analysis in particle physics. We are one of the major collaborators at CERN and support UK researchers working on the Large Hadron Collider detectors as well as neutrino and dark matter experiments. Our work includes construction of large detector systems computing and data analysis we are responsible for the Boulby Underground Lab which is one of just a few facilities in the world suitable for hosting ultra-low background and deep underground science projects. We also run outreach events for schools and the public including the annual STFC Summer School for Experimental High Energy Physics Students.

You will provide a critical role in supporting the Director of PPD and the senior executive team. We are a leading international research organisation who collaborate with similar organisations on a global basis. This is an exciting opportunity to foster and develop those collaborations as an experienced professional with exceptional interpersonal and organisational skills. The role is constantly evolving so there will be change and the opportunity for the successful candidate to be central to that change process.

The key activities of the role include:

• Managing complex diaries across multiple time zones and resolving meeting conflicts with both internal and external bodies.

• Supervising the Directors Outlook calendar and mailbox managing priorities responding to communications and progressing actions in a timely manner.

• Coordinating conference support across the department. This may involve managing a conference coordinating conference actions or establishing and delivering input to a collaborative conference.

• Preparation of briefing material for the Director ahead of visits or preparing finished presentations from drafts.

• Organisation of travel itineraries for senior staff rescheduling visits and tracking all departmental staff on overseas visits.

• Cultivating existing relationships and develop new networks both internally and externally.

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to key meetings both inward and outward-facing.

• Gathering business intelligence on behalf senior staff.

• Work effectively across a wide range of administrative processes including working with spreadsheets.

• Work skilfully across several virtual teams including HR Procurement Administration and Finance to ensure efficiency of service delivery.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role we have the freedom to explore learn and connect as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As part of one of Europes largest research organisations this is a place where theres always something new to learn about the world around us about your career but most of all about yourself. Join us and discover whats possible.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days annual leave 10.5 public and privilege holidays flexible working hours exceptional average salary pension scheme social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

PPD is committed to sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are invested in creating an environment that is welcoming and supportive of all to help us achieve the highest possible standards in our work and organisation this regard we encourage applications from under-represented groups and are happy to discuss flexibility but the nature of the role requires on-site working.

Person Specification

The criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or both (S&I):

• Proven experience of working as a PA or admin-related role or background (S&I).

• Experience of managing complex diaries and travel arrangements (S&I).

• Clear concise and professional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with staff and stakeholders at all levels (S&I).

• Good organisational and time management skills with an ability to deliver under pressure and in sometimes ambiguous/changing environments taking initiative where required (S&I).

• Strong team player with ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people and at different levels (S&I).

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion (S&I).

Additional Information

This role is based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Harwell Oxford; however hybrid working is supported. Some UK travel may be required.

Please note: if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK as part of your sponsorship application you (and any dependants travelling with you) will be required to pay costs directly to the UK Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information please visit or contact.