Job Description

UK Research and Innovation
Salary: £37,841 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band D.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (14 months).
Hours: Full-time (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available (Minimum 2 days per week in office).

Closing Date: Sunday 19th July 2026.

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

About the role

Do you have experience of working in an operational HR role where no two days are the same? Are you self-motivated, happy to use your own judgement and provide sound support to colleagues at varying levels? If yes, then this role is for you...

People are at the centre of all we do. Your role will be varied and fast paced with learning opportunities along the way. As a large team of HR professionals, we strive to provide high quality provisions to c6500 employees across UKRI, by working together and supporting each other.

You will be joining UKRI at an exciting time as we adapt to a new HR and Finance System and the opportunities this brings to review and enhance our ways of working, bringing functionality and simplified processes to assist Employees and Managers to ‘self-serve’ HR first line enquiries.

Our fantastic team is based across several locations. Whilst we work in a hybrid environment, we do require on-site working twice a week (as a minimum) as we believe spending time in person and collaborating is important for us as individuals and as a team. We do however understand the balance of work / life pressures; therefore, our team work flexibly around their personal commitments.

Your responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day queries, providing professional, timely, accurate and robust advice and guidance to managers and staff in line with the HR delegation framework on a wide range of HR queries including pay, attendance, working patterns, performance management, etc., providing advice on associated policies and completion of forms as appropriate.
• Manage or provide support as appropriate on a range of casework including sickness absence, performance management, disciplinary and grievance cases etc.
• Work closely with colleagues in the HR Operations Team, Strategic HR Business Partners and the HR Centres of Expertise in helping to deliver a consistent and joined-up HR service across the organisation.
• Build effective working relationships with managers and staff and with other HR colleagues to support the maintenance and development of best practice policies and procedures.
• Participate as appropriate in the development and delivery of HR learning and personal development initiatives.
• Lead or support on HR-related projects as appropriate.
• Review and analyse MI data and trends in order to make recommendations on data-driven HR actions.
• Adopt a continuous improvement approach to work, to ensure that records are kept up to date and letters, guidance and templates etc are accurate and appropriate.
• Liaise with colleagues in UKSBS, and other external organisations as appropriate.
  

Personal Specification

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

Essential

• Current, relevant experience working in an operational HR role, ideally supporting primarily on employee casework and advice and guidance to employees and managers (S&I).
• Appropriate CIPD Qualification or equivalent skills and knowledge gained from working in an HR role (S).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present information, to persuade, influence, counsel, support or challenge people at all levels, often in sensitive circumstances, and to treat information confidentially. Good attention to detail (S&I).
• Ability to work on own initiative and to manage own time effectively (I).
• Ability to apply judgement and decision-making to find innovative solutions which meet customer needs, within policy or procedural requirements (I).
• Ability to work with ambiguity and conflicting priorities (I).
• A track record of effectively managing a range of casework (S&I).
• A self-motivated, results-focused and proactive, approach to work, with a strong record of delivery (I).

Benefits

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

A list of benefits below:

• 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)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

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.

How to apply

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. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

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.