At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research and analysis to shape the future of higher education in England.
- Company: Join Research England, a key player in the UK's research and innovation landscape.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible hours, and a great work/life balance.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the university sector and drive positive change.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and understanding of higher education policies required.
The predicted salary is between 58589 - 58589 £ per year.
Research England is at the heart of England's research and higher education system. By funding, engaging with, and understanding higher education providers (HEPs), we create the conditions for world-class research and knowledge exchange to thrive. Our ambition is to enable English HEPs to play a central role in driving economic growth, improving lives, and addressing society's biggest challenges.
This is a key role in the Research England (RE) Insight and Engagement Team (I&E). You will have a strong understanding of the research and innovation system in the higher education sector, including university operations, governance, finances, and the political and policy environment in which they operate. You will deploy this to develop innovative approaches to the definition, measurement, and analysis of the health of the research and innovation (R&I) system in England.
You will lead on the interpretation and transformation of a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative evidence into insights for use within Research England and UKRI, but also for external partner agencies, including government. You will engage fully in policy discussion including with internal senior management and national and HE sector policy makers to problem-solve, understand, and interpret implications in setting long-term policy.
Main outputs and activities include:
- Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of, and act as an authoritative source of, advice on higher education and wider fiscal policy that affects the health of research and innovation in English higher education providers.
- Lead on identifying the information we need and the range of activities we need to undertake in order to contribute to the development of a nuanced understanding of the R&I system in the HE sector in real time, identifying evidence gaps and policy needs.
- Interpret analysis with the ability to distil key points for a range of audiences.
- Lead on policy on, and delivery of, methods and processes for defining, assessing, and monitoring the health of the university sector.
- Support senior colleagues on the development of recommendations on how Research England's policy objectives can be addressed, taking into consideration availability of appropriate evidence and institutional burden.
- Give presentations and lead discussions at external meetings relating to HE evidences and policy.
- Make a significant contribution to effective relations with HE institutions and sector bodies, communicating policy decisions, data analysis and answering queries.
- Contribute to briefing and advice to Government/DSIT and senior RE and UKRI staff, taking a leading role in areas of analysis and evidence.
- Act as the main point of contact for queries from the sector on matters in relation to the health of the university sector.
- Assess, use and present accurately complex quantitative evidence in policy development.
- Contribute to design and delivery of new data and evidence, including through contributing to policy work with teams within RE and UKRI, but also external partners.
- Manage and develop effective relations with universities and other bodies, including representing RE/UKRI at external meetings and presenting to external groups.
Shortlisting criteria:
- Excellent analytical skills, including across both quantitative and qualitative datasets, and in applying mixed method approaches.
- Ability to interpret and transform a wide variety of evidence into a range of outputs for digestion for a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrably strong understanding of the research and innovation and knowledge exchange system in the higher education sector.
- Ability to work effectively with others at all levels, including with technical analysts.
- An excellent communicator, with the ability to communicate complex subjects with people at all levels both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to demonstrate effective working with a range of stakeholders, including universities, government, and policy experts.
- A proactive approach to solving problems within challenging deadlines.
- Ability to both effectively project manage and line-manage.
UKRI 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.
Join us and be part of an organisation that is helping shape the future of research, knowledge, and opportunity for England and beyond.
Head of University Sector Insight in London employer: Research England
Research England is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Bristol. With a strong commitment to employee development and a hybrid working model, we foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to be part of meaningful initiatives that shape the future of research excellence in the UK.
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