Senior Analyst

This is an exciting opportunity to join a multi-disciplinary analytical team that works at the heart of the UK research and innovation (R&I) system. Our work plays a key role in delivering the government’s ambition to strengthen the UK’s position as a global science and technology superpower, and UKRI’s Strategy and Delivery Plan.

The role sits within the Strategic Analysis team which has a wide remit including Research & Innovation Systems analysis, Business Cases and Economic Appraisal, Data Science and Thematic Analysis, and analysis for Investment Strategy. The Strategic Analysis team works closely with analysts in other parts our division, with colleagues from the Investment Planning and Strategy directorate, as well as a range of colleagues across UKRI.

Ensuring that the UK’s research system is sustainable and resilient is critical for UKRI. as part of our Research and Innovation Resilience (IRIR) programme (Research financial sustainability). The remit of this team includes understanding the financial sustainability and resilience of the UK’s R&I system and UKRI’s role within this. The role holder will support the team leader (Lead Analyst), who looks after the wider remit of financial sustainability and resilience and the impact of UKRI in the wider R&I ecosystem.

As business needs evolve, the role holder will also need to be flexible on pivoting to new work areas, working on the organisation’s highest priorities, including the multi-year Spending Review, filling prioritised evidence gaps ahead of the next Spending Review, and supporting on business cases and economic appraisal.

• Provide high quality and up-to-date evidence on key UKRI areas as a responsible investor in the R&I system.
• Provide analytical leadership on projects concerned with the development of options for policy levers that UKRI has at its disposal.
• Form close working relationships with our strategy counterparts and develop and maintain strong links with analysts working across ONS, Office for Students, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential skills

• A relevant degree or equivalent work experience in a highly numerate subject such as physics, mathematics or engineering, or subjects including economics, statistics, data science, operational research, or social research (S).
• Proficiency in Python or R and/or SQL, or proficiency in another coding language and willingness to learn Python, R and/or SQL (S).
• Proficiency in GitHub, or coding collaboratively and using version control (S).
• Ability to communicate analysis and evidence and its appropriate usage in informing policy (I).
• Experience in managing analytical projects: ensuring buy-in from the anticipated users of the analysis, executing the project, and clearly communicating the implications of the analysis and any limitations (S&I).
• Experience in data science or analysis, quantitative research methods and familiarity with a range of statistical methodologies and techniques (S&I).

We encourage applications from individuals who may not meet all the requirements but possess the potential and passion to excel in this role.

Application process

Applicants are invited to submit a CV and a statement of experience (no longer than 1000 words), covering the following:

• Analytical skills – examples from previous experience that provide evidence to support your application for an analytical role as specified above (the points listed under ‘Essential skills’).
• Examples from previous experience that demonstrate your aptitude in the following three behaviours: o Seeing the Big Picture.
• Communicating and Influencing o Managing a Quality Service for guidance see Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours (see SEO grade).

In the event that we receive a high number of applications, we will shortlist based on the lead competency – analytical skills. You should consider using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for each of the skills and behaviours, including analytical skills.

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. UKRI are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI - 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 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.

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, 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. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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.

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.

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.