Why this role matters

This is a technical expert role in Research and Network Strategy where the individual will apply their key expertise within a clearly defined sphere of technical knowledge to complex business issues or opportunities. The role holder actively engages with colleagues to progress new research in important technical topics and supports the realisation of business value from research and innovation outputs.

We believe we have a world class research team where we publish 20 papers per year in addition to filing 10 patterns per year. Our team are on advisory boards and very respected. We move technology from the drawing board and ready to use.

This role can be based in Bristol or Ipswich and our hybrid working model means you are expected to be in the office 3 days per week.

You'll have the following responsibilities

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

• Domain expert responsible for maintaining expertise in a specific technical domain.

• Responsible for intellectual property creation, managing patent filing in their team and supporting IPR exploitation where appropriate

• Accountable for defining and performing research in a specific domain (i.e. Network Connectivity Services) 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 and experience

Skills

• 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 specialism with post-graduate qualification(s) (PhD or equivalent research experience desirable).

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

• Experienced in open innovation: Skilled in patenting, technical publications, conference presentations etc.

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

In addition: 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

Experience

• Technical domain expert: evidence of significant knowledge and skill relevant to Optics and Quantum Research, including:

o General physics / science degree with evidence of optics and / or quantum technologies specialism (MANDATORY)

o Direct experience of optics and quantum networks research including laboratory capability (PREFERRED)

o Experience of publishing papers and delivering conference presentations (PREFERRED)

o Able to file new IPR naturally as it emerges in the candidate's research (MANDATORY)

Benefits

• 10% on target bonus

• BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%

• From January 2025, equal family leave: receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It’s for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.

• Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.

• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service

• 24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues

• 2 weeks carer’s leave

• World-class training and development opportunities

• Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes

Our leadership standards

Looking in:

Leading inclusively and Safely

I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.

Owning outcomes

I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out:

Delivering for the customer

I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.

Commercially savvy

I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future:

Growth mindset

I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.

Building for the future

I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.

About us

BT Group was the world’s first telco and our heritage in the sector is unrivalled. As home to several of the UK’s most recognised and cherished brands – BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet, we have always played a critical role in creating the future, and we have reached an inflection point in the transformation of our business.

Over the next two years, we will complete the UK’s largest and most successful digital infrastructure project – connecting more than 25 million premises to full fibre broadband. Together with our heavy investment in 5G, we play a central role in revolutionising how people connect with each other.

While we are through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, meaning we can reward our shareholders for their commitment and patience, we are absolutely focused on how we organise ourselves in the best way to serve our customers in the years to come. This includes radical simplification of systems, structures, and processes on a huge scale. Together with our application of AI and technology, we are on a path to creating the UK’s best telco, reimagining the customer experience and relationship with one of this country’s biggest infrastructure companies.

Change on the scale we will all experience in the coming years is unprecedented. BT Group is committed to being the driving force behind improving connectivity for millions and there has never been a more exciting time to join a company and leadership team with the skills, experience, creativity, and passion to take this company into a new era.

A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:

Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.

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