Research Programmes Lead

Fixed Term (13 months) to November 2026 in the first instance

Full time (37.5/ 1 FTE)

The Research Programmes Lead is an important leadership role in the Policy and Evidence Centre’s (PEC)structure, with lead responsibility for overseeing and implementing the Centre’s programmatic activity related to research, working closely with the Policy Impact Lead to drive the delivery of an integrated and coherent programme of policy-influencing work.

The Policy and Evidence Centre was created to produce research, evidence and expert analysis capable of transforming the effectiveness of laws and policies designed to address the great global challenge of modern slavery and human trafficking, taking a human rights-based approach. The Centre, which was originally an initiative of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (“AHRC”), was established in 2019 by the investment of £10m of public funding from UK Research and Innovation.

The PEC has built a reputation for producing high quality and impactful policy-relevant research and expert analysis. In 2024 it received continuation funding from AHRC to support its transition to long term sustainability, and it moved to the University of Oxford, where it is hosted by the Humanities Division and is part of the vision for the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. The PEC has ambitious plans to grow and develop its policy-influencing work in adjacent areas of human rights policy. The Research Programmes Lead is a crucial role in making this transition.

You will be expected to manage the PEC’s research programmes, working collaboratively with the Director of Research and with the Policy Impact Lead and support the PEC Programme Board. A key aspect of the role involves supporting the PEC in its pivot to being an applicant for research funding.

You will have proven experience in supporting complex research programmes; identifying funding opportunities, preparing bids and grant applications, and managing externally-funded research projects in the Higher Education or charitable sector.

The duties and skills required are described in further detail in the job description.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. You will be required to upload your curriculum vitae and a supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria for the post, using examples of your skills and experience. As part of your application you will be asked to provide details of two referees and indicate whether we can contact them now.

For further details, please refer to the How to apply section of the job description. Any further enquires may be directed to [email protected].

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 19 September 2025. Only applications received before this time can be considered.

Shortlisting will take place during the following week and interviews are expected to be held during the week beginning 6th October 2025.

Please quote Vacancy ID 181613 on all correspondence.