Lead Economist Research AND Innovation

Lead Economist, UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

• Employer:
  
  UKRI
• Salary: £58,589 per annum
• Band: UKRI Band F
• Contract Type:
  Open-ended or fixed-term external secondment opportunity (two years)
• Hours:
  
  Full-time/ Part-time (minimum 0.8 FTE) – flexible working available
• Location:
  
  Swindon – Hybrid working available
• Closing Date:
  Sunday 11th January 2026

This is an exciting opportunity to join a multi‑disciplinary analytical team that plays a key role in delivering the UK government’s ambition to Strengthen the UK’s position as a global science and technology superpower, as set out in the UK Science and Technology Framework.

The role sits within the Strategic Analysis team – part of a wider Analysis team and the Investment Planning and Strategy directorate – which has a wide remit including analysis of the R&I system, Economic Appraisal, Data Science, and investment strategy. The successful candidate will lead the organisation’s Economic Appraisal team and report to the Head of Strategic Analysis. The role requires the ability to pivot quickly to new work areas as business needs evolve.

As Lead Analyst for Economic Appraisal, you will be the standard‑bearer for robust ex‑ante and ex‑post economic appraisal across the organisation, ensuring that HM Treasury’s Green Book standards are met. You will:

• Manage the resourcing of your team to support the development of business cases and evaluations across UKRI, prioritising work and communicating effectively with stakeholders.
• Lead on the economic cases in UKRI’s most high‑profile business cases, including ex‑ante value‑for‑money analysis and quantitative modelling in Excel.
• Support evaluation, policy and science teams with the economic component of their projects – reviewing tender documents, bids and early drafts.
• Play a leading role in the Analysis team’s input into UKRI’s spending review bid, demonstrating a deep understanding of the evidence base available to UKRI.
• Develop a stakeholder community across government and the R&I sector, sharing approaches for ex‑ante economic appraisal of R&I benefits and robust methodologies for evaluating R&I investments.
• Lead on the production and delivery of guidance and training material on economic case development, tailoring content for both analytical and non‑analytical audiences.
• Conceive and lead on key ex‑ante and ex‑post economic appraisal projects beyond business cases and evaluations, using modelling tools such as Excel or R.
• Mentor and develop junior economists across the organisation, providing guidance on best practice and career progression.
• Line‑manage two direct reports, with a total team of four (including yourself), and grow the team as needed.

• Degree in Economics (with at least 50 % of course modules in Economics) or equivalent work experience.
• Highly proficient in Excel.
• Experience carrying out public sector Green Book‑compliant value‑for‑money analysis.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of projects and prioritise impact.
• Analytical leadership and domain expertise.

• Knowledge of applied econometrics.
• Familiarity with the Magenta Book and experience in monitoring and evaluation, including theory of change or logic models.
• Familiarity with the Aqua Book and quality assurance best practices.
• Experience coding in R, Python or SQL.
• Experience applying economics to science, research and innovation (desirable only).

Applicants do not need to be badge holders of a Government Analytical Profession such as the GES, GSR, GORS or GSS to apply, but badge holders are welcome.

Applicants are invited to submit a CV and a statement of experience (no longer than 1,000 words), covering:

• Analytical skills and experience – examples that demonstrate your ability to perform the key responsibilities outlined above.
• Behaviour evidence – examples that demonstrate making effective decisions and leadership (refer to the Civil Service Behaviours).

In a high‑volume circumstances, shortlisted candidates will be selected on analytical competency. Use a STAR format for your examples.

A reserve list will be…