"Research Programmes Lead"

Research Programmes Lead

University of Oxford - Policy and Evidence Centre on Modern Slavery and Human Rights, Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities

Location:OxfordSalary:£48,235 to £57,255 per annum : Grade 8Hours:Full TimeContract Type:Fixed-Term/ContractPlaced On:21st August 2025Closes:19th September 2025Job Ref:181613

Contract type

Fixed Term to November 2026 in the first instance

Hours

Full time (37.5/ 1 FTE)

About the role

The Research Programmes Lead is an important leadership role in the Policy and Evidence Centre’s (PEC) structure, with lead responsibility for overseeing and implementing the Centre’s programmatic activity related to research, working closely with the Policy Impact Lead to drive the delivery of an integrated and coherent programme of policy-influencing work.

The Policy and Evidence Centre was created to produce research, evidence and expert analysis capable of transforming the effectiveness of laws and policies designed to address the great global challenge of modern slavery and human trafficking, taking a human rights-based approach. The Centre, which was originally an initiative of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (“AHRC”), was established in 2019 by the investment of £10m of public funding from UK Research and Innovation.

The PEC has built a reputation for producing high quality and impactful policy-relevant research and expert analysis. In 2024 it received continuation funding from AHRC to support its transition to long term sustainability, and it moved to the University of Oxford, where it is hosted by the Humanities Division and is part of the vision for the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. The PEC has ambitious plans to grow and develop its policy-influencing work in adjacent areas of human rights policy. The Research Programmes Lead is a crucial role in making this transition.

You will be expected to manage the PEC’s research programmes, working collaboratively with the Director of Research and with the Policy Impact Lead and support the PEC Programme Board. A key aspect of the role involves supporting the PEC in its pivot to being an applicant for research funding.

About you

You will have proven experience in supporting complex research programmes; identifying funding opportunities, preparing bids and grant applications, and managing externally-funded research projects in the Higher Education or charitable sector.

The duties and skills required are described in further detail in the job description.

Application process

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via www.recruit.ox.ac.uk and Vacancy ID 181613.