Job Description

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

As Programme and SocioEconomic Analyst, you will play a pivotal role in a growing team responsible for analysis, benefits assessment, monitoring and evaluation across UKAEA. Your work will help demonstrate impact, strengthen strategic decision making, and support the organisation in delivering its mission.

You will deliver major analytical priorities, including the appraisal and evaluation of innovative programmes. You will design approaches to demonstrate the value of fusion research and innovation. You will drive organisational change by embedding best practice, deliver training and engage extensively with senior leaders within UKAEA and across government, ensure decision-making is evidence-based.  

Core responsibilities

• Lead and deliver high-quality economic analysis, including business cases and Value for Money assessments, aligned with HM Treasury Green Book standards and assurance requirements.
• Design and deliver quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to inform strategy and investment decisions.
• Provide robust evidence to support Spending Review bids and address priority strategic evidence gaps at programme and organisational level.
• Develop and refine methodologies to demonstrate and enhance the evidence base underpinning UKAEA’s impact and enhance the evidence base underpinning UKAEA’s strategic objectives.
• Embed the UKAEA-PSRE Evaluation Framework, driving best practice in effective Monitoring and Evaluation across programmes.
• Commission and manage independent evaluations and research, broadening and strengthening the evidence base.
• Produce high‑impact analytical reports and case studies for technical and non‑technical audiences, including senior leaders and government partners.
• Champion analytical excellence, building capability across the organisation through guidance, training and hands‑on support.
• Line-manage and mentor analysts, contributing to team development and a positive, collaborative analytical culture.
• Build strong relationships with key external partners (DESNZ, EPSRC, DSIT and others) to ensure analysis informs strategy and maximises UK scientific and economic benefit.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in applied economics, programme evaluation, and quantitative/qualitative analysis.
• Strong understanding of UK Government analytical standards, including HM Treasury Green Book and Aqua Book guidance.
• Advanced analytical capability, including interpreting complex data and developing analysis for economic cases.
• Proficiency in analytical tools and coding languages (e.g. Excel, R, Python) for data cleaning, modelling and quantitative analysis.
• Experience leading and managing analysts to deliver high-quality analytical outputs.
• Eligibility for a recognised Government Analytical Profession (Economist, Statistician, Social Researcher or Operational Researcher) with demonstrable professional competence.

Additional Information

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/ but highlights include:

• Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure, 2.5 privilege day and 8 Bank holidays
• Flexible and hybrid working options

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit. Further information can be found here UKAEA is committed to being accessible.