Ref Number
B04-07702
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
UCL BEAMS (B04)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£43,981-£52,586
Contract Type
Fixed-term
Working Type
Hybrid
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
28-Aug-2026
The University College London (UCL) Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) is leading the Public Value of Arts and Culture (PVAC) programme, a new applied research initiative that argues arts and culture are not peripheral to the economy but a precondition for its transformation. Arts and culture shape the direction of growth, renew democratic participation, and generate long-term public value. PVAC makes this case rigorously through new valuation methods, policy design, and high-level convening of global cultural and economic leaders. Already working with the UK Government, Brazil’s Ministry of Culture, and leading cultural institutions, PVAC builds the evidence base and policy architecture to appropriately recognise and govern the public value of arts and culture. The programme builds on applied work with Carnival ecosystems in the UK and Brazil, and with cultural institutions including the Whitechapel Gallery and V&A East.
The role is responsible for leading and coordinating research across the Public Value and Arts & Culture (PVAC) programme, exploring how arts and culture contribute to economic growth, innovation, and public value. It involves producing high-quality research outputs, including policy papers, reports, and academic publications, while developing new approaches to measuring the long-term value of cultural investment. Alongside research, the postholder will support programme delivery by coordinating projects, managing stakeholders and partnerships across the UK and Brazil, line managing research staff, and ensuring effective communication of research to policymakers, government, cultural organisations, and the wider public. The role also provides strategic support to the Programme Manager and Professor Mazzucato to ensure the successful delivery and impact of the programme.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced researcher with expertise in macroeconomics, fiscal policy, public investment, cultural economics, or innovation and public value. They will have a strong track record of producing high-quality research and translating complex evidence into clear, influential outputs for academic, policy, and public audiences. Highly organised and collaborative, they will be confident managing multiple workstreams, building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, and supporting the delivery of large-scale research programmes. They will also demonstrate excellent communication, leadership, and project coordination skills, with the ability to contribute strategically to research that shapes public policy and creates real-world impact.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits, some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Our Faculty holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/
