Director of Research
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Swindon or London based
£75,055 - £83,000 

You will be a critical member of the senior leadership team, inspiring and leading the organisation. You will bring an appreciation and understanding of new developments in the social sciences, including how these relate to national and global challenges. You will provide strategic leadership, vision and operational drive for ESRC’s research, working closely with fellow Directors and Deputy Directors to ensure cohesive and integrated approaches.  This will contribute to the longer-term development of ESRC’s research strategy including the development of future business cases for investment.

The successful candidate can be based in either the UKRI London or Swindon office, with the understanding that regular travel to both locations will be an expectation.  There will be a requirement for travel both across the UK and overseas, including overnight stays. 

ESRC offers a flexible working scheme that allows for flexibility in day-to-day working arrangements.  This role is also available as a secondment arrangement and this can be negotiated on a fixed-term basis.

UKRI is a non-departmental public body created to strengthen the strategic approach to future challenges and maximise value from the Government’s investment in research and innovation.  The ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policymakers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.  ESRC’s strategic and delivery plans, as well as impact reports and evaluation studies, can be found at https://esrc.ukri.org/news-events-and-publications/publications/ 

You will have:

• A PhD (or equivalent publications) and first-class track record of achievement in the social sciences and its applications
• The ability to establish credibility with the range of communities with whom ESRC engages, including at the most senior levels
• Excellent leadership skills
• Outstanding analytical thinking skills with an excellent track record of using evidence in decision making 

Choosing to come to work at ESRC, part of UKRI, means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits including a flexible working scheme, a defined contribution pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

Applications are handled by UK Shared Business Services, to see more details and to apply please click the apply button quoting reference 210000FH. Please include a covering letter outlining how you fit the role criteria.  Applicants who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on +44 (0)1793 867000.

The closing date for applications is 8 June 2021.