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 Research Portfolio Managers across our Research Base, Cross Council Programmes and Partnerships Directorate. The Research Base Directorate leads on our support for discovery research, creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive environment to provide a variety of career pathways in research and innovations. Teams within this directorate cover the remits of Advanced Materials, Engineering, Information and Communication Technologies, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences. The Infrastructure and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and People teams also contribute to delivering this part of EPSRC's mission. The Cross-Council Programmes Directorate leads on promoting a positive culture of cross-council working that builds on the disciplinary strengths in the research base and the strengths of our partnerships. Research Portfolio Managers working in this directorate can expect to be placed in teams covering cross-Council priorities including AI and Robotics, Digital Security and Resilience, Energy and Decarbonisation, Healthcare Technologies, Manufacturing and the Circular Economy and Quantum Technologies. The Partnerships Directorate leads and developing and managing our relationships with business, our international and regional engagement activities, public engagement and cross-cutting work on impact. EPSRC is a team-based organisation, and no team or directorate works in silo. An important part of your role will be to work with others to deliver results., 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. You will be given responsibility for one of EPSRC's portfolios and will help develop ideas for future activities in a strongly team-based organisation as well as working with other Government Departments and Councils within UKRI. This role will broaden your skills by giving you the opportunity to manage your own projects and activities. Interaction with stakeholders especially in universities is important part of the role. Your role will be varied, building relationships with universities and industry, managing our decision-making processes and policy development activities to ensure we fund research of the highest quality, and planning and implementing community events to foster new, innovative, research programmes. You will help to develop and structure ideas for future activities in a strongly team-based organisation as well as working with other Government Departments and other Councils within UKRI. This role will broaden your skills by giving you the opportunity to manage your own projects and activities. Travel in the UK will be required in most roles. OUTPUTS & ACTIVITIES Your responsibilities will include:
* 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 with external stakeholders to manage strategic relationships with key influencers in universities and business through representing EPSRC in external networks and meetings
* Working across teams to ensure cross portfolio understanding and joint initiatives as appropriate
* Working across teams within EPSRC and across UKRI to ensure cross portfolio understanding and joint initiatives as appropriate as well as implementing strategy and other programmes of work
* Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on activities and investments to feed into planning
* Supporting senior colleagues with development of projects and implementation of plans, coordinating and operating processes supporting delivery across EPSRC, These posts are based at our Swindon office, but we operate a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and external locations. As we recognise the benefits of in person working, EPSRC currently has a minimum expectation that we will work in person, in the Swindon office, at least 2 days per month. On occasions where there is a business need, you may be required to attend the office more than 2 days a month (e.g., for training, events, or team days). This post also requires travel to attend external visits and meetings. We will make exceptions to the minimum requirement to work in person in the Swindon office for individuals that might encounter difficulties because of a disability/health condition. We welcome applications from candidates with special requirements., 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., 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.
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?, We will consider high calibre graduates with a research background (or those with equivalent education, training, or professional development) who can demonstrate the potential to succeed. You will be a creative thinker who can work effectively independently and with colleagues, be an excellent communicator and manage your time effectively., Problem solving and analytical skills (S)
* A focus on achievement (S)
* Effective communication skills (verbal, presentational and written) (S, I)
* Ability to work with others as part of a team, including though taking a leadership role and influencing others through behaviour and empathy (S, I)
* Strategic awareness (S, I)
* Planning and organisational skills, including an ability to prioritise and manage complex activities (S, I)
* Creativity, adaptability and openness to change. (S, I)
* Ability to make decisions (I)
Desirable:
* Graduate (or equivalent) who can demonstrate the potential to succeed (S)
Online applications only are accepted for this role. Please submit a CV and "Application Statement" in which you should give evidenced examples that clearly explain how your abilities, experiences and skills demonstrate each of the shortlisting criteria listed above. You are advised to familiarise yourself with the STAR methodology (see: which is a useful framework for providing these examples. Each document should be no more than three pages., About the Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC)
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC) is a partner organisation within UKRI, providing essential research and skills for all sectors of the economy, and through this aims to enhance long-term societal well-being and prosperity. EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding this research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. They invest over £850 million a year in a broad range of subjects from mathematics to materials science and from information technology to structural engineering., 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.
We recognise and value employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance and a number of other 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)