Job Description

Senior Portfolio Manager
UKRI-DSIT (hosted by ESRC)
Salary: £46,743 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band E.
Contract Type: Temporary (Until 2030).
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire.

Closing Date: Monday 27 July 2026.

About the role
The Metascience Programme was launched in 2024 in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It is dedicated to accelerating the generation and use of evidence on how to fund, support and conduct science more effectively. The Metascience Programme is delivered by a joint unit with staff drawn from both UKRI and DSIT. The unit has four main functions: administering grant programmes; running in-house experiments on UKRI’s funding processes; commissioning research projects; and supporting the uptake of evidence into policy and funding delivery.

The role holder will join the UK Metascience Unit and will play an important role in delivering it’s strategy for the next four years from 2026-2030. The role holder will lead on developing and coordinating Metascience trials/experiments, generating evidence to inform the development of policy and funding practice. They will also lead on developing and managing a portfolio of Metascience research, aimed at developing the field of Metascience, both nationally and globally, and informing policy change.

This role will require close and effective working with internal and external partners to guarantee alignment with the needs and interests of the various parties whose support will be critical to successful programme delivery.
Your responsibilities:

Working as part of the DSIT/UKRI Metascience Unit, the role will involve:

• Working at the interface between strategic leadership and delivery with strong communication skills to develop and implement key priorities, policies, and strategies.
• Building and developing strong relationships, working across UKRI, government departments, other funders and stakeholders to ensure that investments are connected and impactful.
• Leading the design, delivery and evaluation of applied experiments on UKRI funding processes, to inform changes in policy and practice.
• Responsibility for scoping, developing, commissioning and managing a portfolio of metascience-related research, through collaborative partnerships across UKRI, other Government organisations and wider partners, to maximise impact and knowledge exchange.
• Developing and overseeing cohort engagement activities and events to promote networking and knowledge exchange.
• Working with others to ensure that allocated investments are appropriately governed, monitored, evaluated, and communicated.
• Working with others to manage a programme of contracted research and activities with a delivery partner.
• Providing support to and deputise for the team head as required and undertake periodic work on areas outside of the team as needed, supporting the wider work of ESRC.
• Line managing members of staff, and also task or activity manage of other staff members, supporting teams and individuals to achieve objectives through periods of change.
  

This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require you to undertake other duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.

Personal Specification

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

Essential

• Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience (S).
• Excellent understanding and experience of UKRI research council funding processes and the research policy landscape in the UK and internationally (S&I).
• Strong ability to design, manage and interpret the results of experimental interventions in complicated, real-world situations and clearly communicate results (both in writing and orally) to a wide range of audiences (S&I).
• Sophisticated analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills and an ability to think strategically (S&I).
• Proven interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and to form strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at different levels of seniority (S&I).
• Experience working with government partners to deliver shared outcomes (S&I).
• Experience of managing commercial contracts, including procurement processes (S&I).
• Strong project management skills including experience of multi-tasking, prioritising and matrix managing colleagues to optimally deliver projects (S&I).

Desirable

• Understanding of metascience concepts, experimental funding models, and systemic approaches to improving research practice.
• Ability to lead and manage change, supporting teams and stakeholders through shifting priorities and new ways of working.
• Experience working across sectors (e.g., academia, government, philanthropy, industry) to deliver shared outcomes.

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!

We are offering this position with a whole host of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.

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.

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.