Description
Research England
POLICY ADVISOR
Salary: £36,650 Per Annum
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (6 months)
Location: Westward House, Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR
Grade: UKRI Band D
Closing Date: 19th June 2025
ABOUT US
The role will sit within the infrastructure team of the research directorate of Research England. The directorate is responsible for Research England’s policy development, evaluation and implementation aimed at maximising the excellence and impact of research in universities in England. This role will lead and/or support work on Research England’s broad research infrastructure funding portfolio.
PURPOSE
The role will involve working with colleagues and independently to develop and/or implement RE policy with considerable levels of engagement with colleagues across UKRI and government, universities and other external organisations.
You will be well-organised and self-motivated, ideally with a background in higher education, research or policy. You will have analytical experience working with data to make judgements and inform decisions. Capable of working to your own initiative, you will contribute substantially to the development and delivery of projects. You will have an analytical approach and be a confident communicator with people at all levels.
MAIN OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES
You will support work across Research England’s research infrastructure interests, including:
UKRPIF
- leading the monitoring of the current UKRPIF projects which includes liaising with the projects, collecting monitoring returns and analysing the responses.
- supporting the team in the development of the UKRPIF evaluation framework to provide a programme level evaluation, engaging with stakeholder to implement a successful evaluation
- supporting the review of the Net Zero Pilot fund. Working with the Senior Policy Advisor to make recommendations for the future of this fund.
- supporting the team in evidence gathering for UKRPIF and contribute to the development of the business case.
Supporting wider areas of policy
- working closely with other colleagues, you may also be asked to lead/support on discrete areas of the funding portfolio and other areas within the directorate as priorities evolve.
Communication and Representation
- representing Research England at external meetings and presenting to external groups
- initial preparation of Research England Council and UKRI Executive Committee papers and other documents
- developing effective internal relationships.
Information management and analysis of data
- assessing and using accurate information in policy development
- analysis and interpretation of data and evidence.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
(S) – ASSESSED AT SHORTLISTING
(I) – ASSESSED AT INTERVIEW
(S&I) – ASSESSED AT BOTH SHORTLISTING AND INTERVIEW
ESSENTIAL:
- Experience managing projects and working collaboratively to deliver outputs (S&I)
- Ability to manage own workload, resolve competing demands, and cope with changing priorities in a flexible and proactive way (S&I)
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders (S&I)
- Experience of writing documents, briefings and reports (S&I)
- Experience analysing and interpreting complex information to draw conclusions and inform recommendation (S&I)
- Experience of working effectively with internal and external stakeholders (S&I)
- Graduate level qualifications or equivalent experience (S)
- Flexibility to travel to meetings, including sometimes working outside of office hours and staying away overnight (S)
DESIRABLE:
- Knowledge of current research and knowledge exchange policy agendas
- Experience of monitoring and/or evaluation
- Experience of working with relevant policy, government, or other stakeholders in the research policy landscape
FIXED TERM ASSIGNMENTS
Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy and associated guidance Recruitment at UKRI – policy and information (sharepoint.com) for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.
Qualifications
About Research England
Research England is one of the nine Councils within UK Research and Innovation. As a key component of the research funding system, Research England will oversee UKRI’s England-only functions in relation to university research and knowledge exchange (KE). This includes providing grant funding to English universities for related activities; developing and implementing the Research Excellence Framework in partnership with the UK Higher Education funding bodies; supervising the sustainability of the Higher Education research base in England; guide the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund; and coordinate the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Research England will build and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and KE system in English universities. They also work closely with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations.
For more information about Research England, click here.
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
