Head of University Sector Insight

Research EnglandSalary: £58,589 | UKRI Band F | Closing date: 19th July 2026Contract Type: Fixed-term contract (6 months)Hours: Full-timeLocation: Westward House, Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR

Purpose

This key role in the Research England (RE) Insight and Engagement Team (I&E) requires a deep understanding of the research and innovation system in higher education, including university operations, governance, finances and the political and policy environment. You will develop innovative approaches to defining, measuring and analysing the health of the research and innovation (R&I) system in England, leading on the interpretation and transformation of a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative evidence into actionable ‘insights’ for use within Research England, UKRI, external partner agencies and government.

Responsibilities

• Develop expert knowledge and act as an authoritative source on higher education and wider fiscal policy affecting the health of research and innovation in English higher education providers.
• Work with colleagues across I&E, RE and UKRI to identify needed information and activities to contribute to a nuanced, real‑time understanding of the R&I system, identifying evidence gaps and policy needs.
• Interpret analysis and distil key points for a range of audiences.
• Lead on policy and delivery of methods and processes for defining, assessing and monitoring the health of the university sector.
• Support senior colleagues in developing recommendations on how Research England’s policy objectives can be met, considering evidence availability and institutional burden.
• Give presentations and lead discussions at external meetings relating to HE evidence and policy.
• Maintain effective relations with HE institutions and sector bodies, communicating policy decisions, data analysis, answering queries and liaising with the analytical services directorate over data issues.
• Contribute to briefing and advice to Government/DSIT and senior RE and UKRI staff, leading analysis and evidence work.
• Act as the main contact for queries from the sector on matters relating to the health of the university sector.
• Line‑manage one or more Policy or Senior Policy Advisors.
• Assess, use and present complex quantitative evidence accurately in policy development.
• Contribute to design and delivery of new data and evidence, including policy work with RE, UKRI and external partners such as DSIT, DfE, the Office for Students and devolved funding bodies.
• Assist consideration of evidence and analysis to inform research and evaluation, monitoring the impacts of funding policy, commissioning external work and contributing to formula funding work in spending cases. Manage internal project work, including supervising expert researchers and statisticians.
• Develop effective relations with universities and other bodies, representing RE/UKRI at external meetings and presenting to external groups.
• Produce RE Council and relevant Committee papers and other documents.

Shortlisting criteria

• Excellent analytical skills across both quantitative and qualitative datasets, and applying mixed‑method approaches.
• Ability to interpret and transform a wide variety of evidence into a range of outputs digestible for various audiences.
• Demonstrably strong understanding of the research and innovation system in higher education, including university operations, governance, finances and the political and policy environment.
• Ability to work effectively with others at all levels, including technical analysts.
• Ability to develop an authoritative knowledge base of research and knowledge exchange evidence, identify policy solutions and share knowledge and solutions effectively with others to make effective recommendations about future RE policy.
• An excellent communicator, with ability to:
  • Communicate complex subjects with people at all levels, both verbally and in writing, in a clear, concise and fluent manner.
  • Demonstrate effective collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including universities, government and policy experts; represent RE and UKRI at meetings and events.
• Ability to work flexibly to contribute fully within a team that covers a shared and complex workload.
• Proactive approach to solving problems within challenging deadlines.
• Ability to both effectively project‑manage and line‑manage.
• Experience of principles of data architecture design, taking a systematic approach, seeking diverse inputs to find solutions.
• Understanding of economic theory, and ability to apply it to research and evaluation activity and contribute to spending review case development.

Benefits

UKRI offers 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, an exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities, societies and a subsidised restaurant.

Equal opportunities and inclusion

UKRI is an equal opportunity employer and promotes diversity, equality and inclusion in the workforce. It is a Disability Confident Employer and provides reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities.

About the Team

Research England is a key component of the research funding system, overseeing UKRI’s England‑only functions in relation to university research and knowledge exchange (KE). It provides grant funding to English universities, develops and implements the Research Excellence Framework in partnership with UK Higher Education funding bodies, supervises the sustainability of the Higher Education research base in England and coordinates the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Research England works closely with its counterparts in the Devolved Administrations.

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