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Senior Statistical Analyst

Research England

Salary: £46,743 per annum

Contract Type: Fixed Term until 31 December 2030

Hours: Full Time (Part Time min. 0.8 FTE)

Location: Westward House, Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR 

Closing Date: 16th August 2026

Are you looking for a new challenge? An opportunity to work on a major, high-profile, project in a close-knit team and a fast-paced environment? Do you want to use your knowledge and skills in an agile way across a broad range of focus areas, learning new things and innovating along the way? Do you want to work with some of the most highly respected people across the UK’s research community? Then this may be the opportunity for you!

About the Role

As a Senior Statistical Analyst at Research England working across the Research and Analysis Directorates, you will be in a key position to design and deliver analytical tools and processes that directly support the allocation of £2 billion of strategic institutional research funding (SIRF) to higher education providers in England.

Working primarily with key analysts and the Research Data & Evidence team, you will be responsible for managing work areas from the design and development of funding algorithms and quality assurance processes to delivery of new funding mechanisms and be committed to innovation and continuous improvement.

A sound understanding of an analytical product development cycle is crucial for this role, including significant experience of coding, analysing data (including applied quantitative methods), and presenting findings. Equally important is experience of quality assurance processes, and an awareness of how these minimise errors in analytical outputs. You will be well-organised and self-motivated, ideally with a background in statistical or financial modelling. Capable of working to your own initiative, you will contribute substantially to the development and delivery of projects and be a confident communicator with people at all levels.

Responsibilities

To support the algorithm-driven allocation of research funds to higher education providers by:

• developing a sound knowledge of the Higher Education sector data used by the analyst team to underpin SIRF funding allocations.

• developing a sound knowledge of the algorithm-driven (also referred to as formula-based) research funding methods used by Research England and collaborating with colleagues to develop, maintain and implement funding models.

• proactively engaging early and often within and across teams to share analytical results, and to discuss findings, taking data limitations into account.

• using the most appropriate methods and tools to determine and apply appropriate quantitative methods and write code to model formula-driven funding allocations, confidently adapting their approach as required to effectively manipulate a variety of data sources.

• engaging with quality assurance and publication processes for disseminating outcomes.

• taking responsibility for the presentation of high-quality statistical advice and analysis undertaken by self and/or team.

To provide broader sector analysis by:

• supporting the development of analytical models that underpin sector benchmarking activities.

• investigating available datasets and determining possible metrics for use in sector analysis.

• collaborating with colleagues on possible ways to gain sector insight from datasets and how these could feed data visualisations that may aid in supplying this insight to internal and external partners.

To assist with quality assurance checks when required:

• ensuring that the team QA process is always followed.

• making sure that QA approvals are raised as necessary.

Other:

• developing and leading relationships with internal and external partners where pertinent, potentially including representing RE at meetings and events.

• delegating tasks to colleagues and supporting junior staff as required.

• supporting wider areas of the Research Funding team activities as they arise.

Person Specification

The below criteria will be scored during shortlisting (S), interview (I) or both (S/I).

• Degree in mathematics, or another subject - or equivalent professional experience - containing formal statistical training. (S)

• Experience of coding in R language to manipulate large complex datasets. (S/I)

• Strong analytical experience and knowledge of applied quantitative methods, including a track record in the practical application of analysis or research with an in-depth knowledge of the development of computational and statistical methods for solving complex problems and presenting analytical findings. (S/I)

• Proven ability to critically assess data, recognise drivers for change, and identify where data quality issues may have arisen. (S/l)

• Experience of quality assurance processes, and an awareness of how these minimise errors in analytical outputs. (S/I)

• Able to lead developing work areas, with responsibility for high-profile processes or projects. (S/I)

• Strong written  and verbal communication skills, to explain sophisticated techniques and results to non-experts, including clarifying policy questions and guiding colleagues in interpretation of data. (S/I)

• Able to plan and manage a varied and demanding workload and respond to changing priorities. (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!

We are offering a whole host of family-friendly benefits, including:

• 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 UKRI.

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity and Disability Confident Employer.

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 UK 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 [email protected].

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.

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.