Research Portfolio Manager

HOURS: Full Time or Part Time (Min 0.6 FTE)

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term (3 Year) 

LOCATION: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid) 

ABOUT US 

Are you passionate about research? Are you keen to work with researchers, business and Government to help support excellent research that delivers real impact for the economy and society? 

Research Portfolio Managers assist with the development and delivery of ideas for future activities and build relationships with stakeholders within universities and industry to ensure we fund research of the highest quality to implement new, innovative research programmes. Portfolio managers also play a key role in managing our funding competitions. 

We are looking for a Research Portfolio Manager in our Innovation and Partnerships Directorate. The Innovate and Partnerships Directorate leads on developing and managing our relationships with business, our international and regional engagement activities, public engagement and cross-cutting work on impact. 

PURPOSE 

As an EPSRC Portfolio Manager, you will work with the Engineering and Physical Sciences research community to achieve EPSRC’s aim to put the UK at the forefront of international research. 

This particular role will focus on EPSRC’s strategic investments in the National Security and Defence space. You will play a key role in EPSRC’s new Security and Resilience theme in the Innovation and Partnerships directorate. This is an exciting time for our theme, as we seek to develop the UK’s science base in national security and defence. You will act as a key liaison between EPSRC and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), overseeing a number of strategically important investments aimed at developing research capability, skills and training in this sector. You will be responsible for monitoring the progress of these investments, attending stakeholder meetings, and developing evaluation plans to ensure value for money and measurable impact. 

MAIN OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES 

• Gathering, understanding and integrating internal and external information about the research and innovation landscape and the EPSRC portfolio
• Operation of peer review and other formal decision-making processes
• Working across teams to ensure cross portfolio understanding and joint initiatives as appropriate
• Developing and applying evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of our research portfolio and inform future strategic interventions
• Contributing to evidence-based decision-making and long-term planning in this sensitive and high-impact area
• Acting as a key liaison with MOD, attending meetings and representing EPSRC’s interests 

SHORTLISTING CRITERIA 

• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• A focus on achievement
• Effective communication skills (verbal, presentational and written)
• Strategic awareness
• British nationality and eligibility for security clearance
• Experience or interest in National Security and Defence 

INCENTIVES 

DEVELOPING TALENT:

We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as e-learning, classroom training and on-the-job experiences. We encourage our employees to share their learning across teams and organisations. 

BENEFITS: 

UKRI can offer the successful candidate: 

• Flexible Working
• 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays
• Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider 

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 

CLOSING DATE: 08 SEP 25

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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