Senior Researchers are important members of the research team, leading smaller projects and helping to deliver major pieces of work under the supervision of a Programme Director. Topics that Senior Researchers might work on could include but are not limited to levelling up, reviewing the constitution, civil service reform or the role of metro mayors.

We want our Senior Researchers to make a significant contribution to the Institute’s impact, working independently and creatively, initiating ideas, facilitating meetings, and energetically employing a range of research methods to gather evidence, reach judgements and make persuasive arguments. As a Senior Researcher at the Institute, you will:

• take a fresh, evidence-based look at a range of problems facing government and take the initiative to identify interesting questions, design research and shape arguments.
• conduct quantitative and qualitative research and analysis to develop innovative solutions to these problems.
• lead elements of complex research projects and manage them from beginning to end, including significant publications and events.
• deliver the results of projects, including high-quality written reports and presentations in a suitable format and style for specific targeted audiences, to challenging deadlines.
• communicate our recommendations credibly and persuasively to senior civil servants and politicians as well as in the media and social media.
• build strong working relationships both inside the Institute (including research, communications, partnerships and operations staff) and externally (including MPs and civil servants, government departments and agencies, other organisations in the academic, public and commercial sectors, and public policy commentators including journalists).
• work with our events team to organise public events, seminars and meetings, and present project findings and recommendations in these forums.
• assist in the development and delivery of tailored workshops and toolkits to aid senior decision makers in government.
• work closely with other Institute staff to maximise the impact of our insights on government decisions.

We are looking for candidates with:

• A undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above, or international equivalent.
• Considerable knowledge and/or experience of UK government, public policy and/or public service reform.
• Relevant work experience (such as but not limited to working in central or local government, non-departmental public bodies, consultancy, journalism, or another think tank) or postgraduate research experience.
• Ability to communicate confidently and clearly, and influence a range of audiences with well reasoned and appropriately evidenced arguments for change, in writing and orally.
• Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to synthesise complex information, identify important questions that are relevant to the Institute’s mission, and to generate new perspectives and frameworks to solve problems.
• Confidence in using data and quantitative analysis.
• Confidence in undertaking qualitative research, such as conducting semi-focused interviews.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead projects with tight deadlines and to a high standard, both working alone and managing others, sometimes in a rapidly evolving working environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners both inside and outside the Institute, and confidence in managing external stakeholders (including funders).
• Commitment to the Institute’s values, aims and objectives, a keen interest in public sector improvement, and the highest possible level of professional integrity.
• A proactive attitude to work, and the ability to identify and capitalise on ideas for impact and opportunities for the Institute. The following attributes are useful, but not essential:
• Experience of organising roundtables, workshops or public events.
• Experience of securing funding for projects.
• Data visualisation skills.
• Experience of managing junior colleagues