Research Portfolio Manager - AI & Robotics

EPSRC - AI and Robotics Team

Location: Swindon, Hybrid

Salary: £36,650 Per Annum

Hours: Full Time, Part Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 20th August 2025

Closes: 8th September 2025

Job Ref: 1198

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

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term (6 Months)

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.

PURPOSE

This particular role will focus on EPSRC’s strategic investments in AI. You will play a key role in EPSRC’s AI and Robotics theme in the Strategy directorate. This is an exciting time for our theme, as we seek to deliver research programmes which underpin the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. The EPSRC AI and Robotics team collaborate across UKRI and government departments to drive fundamental technology development and embed responsible use of AI across sectors to drive social, economic and environmental benefits across the UK. You will be involved in supporting some of our significant funding investments (Turing AI fellowships, AI CDTs, AI hubs etc.). 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. You will work with stakeholders across the AI ecosystem, fostering partnerships with businesses, the public and third sector, and engaging with staff across UKRI’s remit. You will also support the development of new strategic interventions, using evidence-based decision-making to inform future investment planning.

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 DSIT and Innovate UK, 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
• Ability to make decisions
• Experience or interest in working in AI

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.