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 hybrid working
We support a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and occasionally at other UK locations.
ESRC staff will be assigned to Tier 2 meaning a standard expectation of 40–60% onsite attendance (pro-rated against working time) including those hosted by ESRC. This will come into effect on 1st October 2026.
At times, this may involve overnight stays and/or occasional work outside of standard office hours.
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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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 [email protected].
