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- Tasks: Manage research portfolios and collaborate with universities and industry to drive impactful projects.
- Company: Join the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, a leader in UK research funding.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, 30 days leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and hybrid working available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in research while developing your skills in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Ideal for graduates with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 ÂŁ per year.
Job Category: Research Programme and Funding Management
Apply Before: 05/19/2026, 10:59 PM
Job Identification: 2272
Posting Date: 05/01/2026, 11:36 AM
Job Shift: Day
Hours: Full Time/ Part Time
Salary: ÂŁ37,841 per annum
Contract type: Fixed term, until 31 March 2030
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Grade: UKRI D
Positions available: 5
Proposed interview date: Interviews will be held weeks commencing 15, 22 and 29 June.
About us
Are you passionate about research? Are you keen to work with researchers, business and Government to help support excellent research that delivers real impact for the economy and society? Portfolio managers assist with the development and delivery of ideas for future activities and build relationships with stakeholders within universities and industry, to ensure we fund research of the highest quality and implement new, innovative research programmes. Portfolio managers also play a key role in managing our funding competitions.
We have fixed-term positions available. These include positions in teams delivering priorities set out in the UK governmentâs industrial strategy, including quantum technologies. These teams build on a strong base of EPSRC-funded research across disciplines. EPSRC is a teamâbased organisation, and no team or directorate works in silo. An important part of your role will be to work with others to deliver results.
We recognise and value employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance and a number of other benefits.
Hybrid Working
These posts are based at our Swindon office, but hybrid working is available with regular office attendance and travel across UKRI offices. This post also requires travel to attend external visits and meetings. We welcome applications from candidates with special requirements.
Purpose
As an EPSRC Portfolio Manager, you will work with the engineering and physical sciences research community to achieve our aim to put the UK at the forefront of international research. You will be given responsibility for one of EPSRCâs portfolios, with the opportunity to manage your own projects and develop new activities. Your role will be varied: building relationships with universities and industry, managing our decisionâmaking processes and policies to ensure we fund research and training of the highest quality, and planning and implementing community events to foster new, innovative research programmes. You will work closely across EPSRC and UKRI teams, as well as often working with UK government departments. Interaction with external stakeholders including universities and businesses is an important part of the role.
Main outputs and activities
Your responsibilities will include:
- Gathering, understanding and integrating internal and external information about the research and innovation landscape and the EPSRC portfolio
- Operation of peer review and other formal decisionâmaking processes
- Managing strategic relationships with key stakeholders in universities, business and government, representing EPSRC and UKRI in external networks and meetings
- Working across teams within EPSRC and across UKRI to ensure cross portfolio understanding and joint initiatives as appropriate as well as implementing strategy and other programmes of work
- Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on activities and investments to feed into planning
- Supporting senior colleagues with development of projects and implementation of plans, coordinating and operating processes supporting delivery across EPSRC.
We will consider highâcalibre individuals who can demonstrate the potential to succeed. You may be from a research or research support background, or have equivalent education, training or professional development. You will be a creative thinker who works effectively independently and with colleagues, as well as an excellent communicator who can manage time effectively.
Criteria
(S) â Assessed at shortlisting
(I) â Assessed at interview
(S&I) â Assessed at both shortlisting and interview
Assessment of the following essential skills will be made via shortlisting, and an inâperson interview which will include a presentation:
- Problem solving and analytical skills, including a focus on successful outcomes (S)
- Effective communication skills (verbal, presentational and written) (S, I)
- Ability to work with others as part of a team, supporting others through behaviour and empathy to deliver goals (S, I)
- Capability to demonstrate how activities contribute to the wider strategic objectives of an organisation and external stakeholders (S, I)
- Experience in leading delivery of activities to achieve wider goals, including appropriate planning, making effective decisions and influencing others (S, I)
- Creativity, adaptability and openness to change (I)
- Graduate (or equivalent) who can demonstrate the potential to succeed (S)
Further Information About the Process
The closing date for applications is 23:55, Tuesday 19 May 2026. Online applications only are accepted for this role. Please submit a CV and âApplication Statementâ. Each document should be no more than three pages. Across the two documents, you are expected to give evidenced examples that clearly explain how your abilities, experiences and skills demonstrate each of the shortlisting criteria listed above.
Please ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria, exceeding the page limit or submission of an application without an âapplication statementâ may result in the application not being considered.
If successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to an inâperson interview that will take place at Polaris House in Swindon, planned for the weeks commencing 15, 22 and 29 June 2026. This is the final stage of the selection process. Please note, dates are subject to change.
At interview, you will be asked to provide evidenced examples that demonstrate that you are able to cover the interview criteria which are the same as the shortlisting criteria below. You will also be asked to give a short presentation on a topic that will be provided to you in advance.
Successful candidates will be placed in a team following interviews. We will endeavour to provide information of team vacancies at interview stage should you wish to express a preference, though we will not be able to guarantee to honour all preferences. Your application and performance through this recruitment process may be used for other Portfolio Manager (Grade D) opportunities that arise within an appropriate timeframe.
Contact
For further information please contact Nick Cooper (EPSRC CoâChair Assessment Centre and Joint Head of Talent and Skills) who is leading this recruitment.
About Us
UKRI â UK Research and Innovation
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 worldâleading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the worldâs 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 worldâclass research, skills and businessâled innovation.
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.
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.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. 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.
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.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion â a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.
About the Team
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC) is a partner organisation within UKRI, providing essential research and skills for all sectors of the economy, and through this aims to enhance longâterm societal wellâbeing and prosperity. EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding this research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. They invest over ÂŁ850 million a year in a broad range of subjects from mathematics to materials science and from information technology to structural engineering.
Research Portfolio Manager (Fixed Term) in London employer: UK Shared Business Services Ltd
Contact Detail:
UK Shared Business Services Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Research Portfolio Manager (Fixed Term) in London
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview like itâs the final exam! Research the EPSRC, understand their projects, and think about how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what theyâre about.
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your experiences and show off your problem-solving skills in a relaxed setting before the real deal.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining the team at UKRI.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Portfolio Manager (Fixed Term) in London
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and application statement to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific criteria mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Be Concise and Clear: Keep your documents within the three-page limit and ensure your points are clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid fluff and get straight to the good stuff!
Use Real Examples: When addressing the criteria, provide real-life examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and teamwork. We love seeing how you've made an impact in previous roles, so donât hold back!
Submit Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website and include the job reference number in your document filenames. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Shared Business Services Ltd
â¨Know Your Research Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current research and innovation landscape relevant to the EPSRC. Familiarise yourself with recent projects, funding priorities, and key stakeholders in universities and industry. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you can contribute.
â¨Prepare for the Presentation
You'll be asked to give a short presentation during the interview, so make sure to practice thoroughly. Choose a topic that showcases your analytical skills and ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. Use visuals if possible, and rehearse in front of friends or colleagues to get feedback.
â¨Showcase Teamwork Skills
As a Portfolio Manager, collaboration is key. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully worked in teams, supported colleagues, and built relationships with stakeholders. Highlight your empathy and communication skills, as these are crucial for the role.
â¨Align with Strategic Objectives
During the interview, make sure to articulate how your past experiences align with the strategic objectives of the EPSRC. Discuss how your activities have contributed to wider goals in previous roles, and be prepared to explain how you can bring that same focus to this position.