Head of Research and Evaluation

The Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) wants to change the culture in UK education so that authentic research and innovation is part of every young person’s experience. We’re looking for a Head of Research & Evaluation to join our small but mighty team. We want you to lead research, evaluation and learning from our work with students, teachers and our wider network across the UK. It’s an exciting time to join IRIS. You will drive our research and evaluation practice forward, improving its efficiency and effectiveness, helping us to build a better understanding of our impact, which will inform the development of our work and make a real difference to the lives of thousands of young people.

Reporting to the Deputy Director and managing our Data Analyst, whilst working across the rest of the IRIS team, you will consider the best ways to evaluate and learn from our programmes and carry out high quality research leading to publication.

What the job looks like and what you’ll be doing:

• Work alongside our Education Innovation team – to monitor, evaluate, report and inform the development of our work on the development of Research and Innovation in schools.
• Work with our Engagement team – to monitor, evaluate and report on the impact of our school engagement and student research projects.
• Support the work of our Communications team – informing the delivery of impact reports and the delivery of our communications strategy and overall accountability.
• Work with our Finance & Operations team – supporting the development of our information management and reporting systems.
• Keep up to date with industry trends and best practice – you’ll stay up to date with research and evaluation, suggesting changes to our own systems to stay relevant.

After a period of sustained growth and development we are moving into a position where we will be able to influence and inform practice and policy across the UK, reaching many thousands of young people. This role will be important to helping us achieve our mission in the coming years. We are keen to recruit from as wide a talent pool as possible, in terms of both personal and professional background. We welcome applications from any individuals regardless of age, sex, disability, ethnicity or personal circumstances.

About IRIS

The Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) was founded on the belief that young people have the capacity to change the world. If their education empowers them with the right tools, school-aged students can contribute to the community of scientific research right now. Despite the evolution of IRIS over the last few years, this founding belief continues to be central to what we do. Our mission is to change the culture in UK education so that authentic research and innovation is part of every young person’s experience.

We do this by:

• Creating opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge STEM research and collaborate with leading universities and institutions while still at school.
• Evidencing the impact of students carrying out research while still at school.
• Facilitating a research culture by influencing and demonstrating best practice of STEM research and innovation in schools.

As a charity, everything we do is driven by our moral purpose; to capture talent and break down barriers that impact underrepresented young people in STEM.

How to apply

We are inviting applications via completion of an IRIS application form linked in the recruitment pack. Applications in different formats will not be considered. All applications should be accompanied by a completed Diversity Monitoring form, also linked in the recruitment pack. Further details regarding the post are provided in the recruitment pack. Applications should address:

• Why you wish to take on this role.
• What you can bring to the post.
• How you meet the criteria as stated in the job description and person specification.

If you wish to have an informal conversation about the role prior to applying, please contact Dr Jo Foster, Director by email ensuring that the subject of your email is Inquiry – Head of Research & Evaluation.

The key dates to note for the recruitment process:

• Tuesday 13th January 2026 - Midday: Deadline for applications, which should be emailed via the button below with the subject heading IRIS Application – Head of Research & Evaluation.
• Thursday 22nd January 2026: first stage candidates will be invited to online shortlisting interviews. If you have not received an invitation to a shortlisting interview by 16th January 2026 you should assume that your application has not been taken forward to this stage.
• Tuesday 3rd February 2026: formal interviews in London for all candidates who are shortlisted.
• May 2026: the successful candidate will commence in post.

Please note that candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK. The successful candidate will be employed under UK law. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a self‑declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. An online search based on the information provided by shortlisted candidates will also be conducted. Appointment will be contingent on a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. All applications and recruitment records for unsuccessful candidates will be retained for a period of 12 months before being securely deleted.