Senior Analyst

DESA E&C

Location:

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Opening Date: 2 days ago
Closing Date: 16 January 2026
Proposed Interview Date:
Week beginning 9th February
Contract Type:
Fixed Term (12 months)

Hours:

Full Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
Salary: £46,743 Per Annum
Grade: UKRI Band E
Positions Available: 1

As a Senior Analyst at Research England you will be in a key position to design and deliver analytical processes that directly support the allocation of £2 billion of strategic institutional research funding (SIRF) and knowledge exchange funding to higher education providers in England. Working as part of a fast‑paced, innovative team, you will manage work areas from design and development through quality assurance to delivery.

Your efforts will enable effective and timely funding operations, provide analysis and dashboarding to support senior and executive leaders, and liaise with internal and external stakeholders to identify the data required for these tasks.

• Develop a strong knowledge of the Higher Education sector data used by the analyst team to underpin the funding allocations.
• Understand and collaborate on the algorithm‑driven funding methods used by Research England, maintaining and implementing funding models.
• Synthesise datasets from partner organisations and process the required subsets for each funding stream.
• Engage with quality assurance and publication processes to disseminate funding outcomes.
• Ensure that QA processes are followed and approvals escalated when necessary.
• Investigate and resolve data gaps, process updates, and produce financial reports required by institutions.
• Validate and summarise information within completed financial reports.
• Operate software systems for annual monitoring surveys and provide broader sector analysis.
• Support stakeholders by responding to queries, creating technical documentation, and providing subject‑matter expertise.
• Coordinate with the Office for Students, Jisc (HESA), and higher education providers on data audits.

• Degree in mathematics or a subject with significant numerical content, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience coding in R to manipulate large, complex datasets.
• Strong analytical skills, including identifying relevant data sources and presenting findings.
• Experience with quality assurance processes to minimise errors in analytical outputs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain technical details clearly to varied audiences.
• Ability to plan, manage a diverse workload, and respond to changing priorities.

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days of annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme with confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.
• Additional wellbeing initiatives to support a healthy work‑life balance.

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

For full details, please visit our careers site. Submit an application including your CV and a cover letter that showcases how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the role. A well‑thought‑through application with evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria will be considered favourably over a generic cover letter and CV. Please apply online;

if you experience any issues, contact [appropriate contact].