Research Portfolio Manager

EPSRC - Innovation and Partnerships Directorate

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: 1196

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.

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.

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.

PURPOSE

This particular role will focus on EPSRC’s strategic investments in the National Security 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 Cybersecurity team within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). You will work closely with DSIT and Innovate UK to oversee critical investments aimed at developing research capability and skills in cybersecurity. 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
• Working across teams within EPSRC and UKRI to ensure cross portfolio understanding and joint initiatives as appropriate as well as implementing strategy and other programmes of work
• 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 IUK, attending meetings and representing EPSRC’s interests

SHORTLISTING CRITERIA

• Problem solving and analytical skills
• A focus on achievement
• Strategic awareness
• Ability to make decisions
• Experience or interest in cyber security

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.