Heads of Social Research
Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
Job Info- Apply Before 10/22/2026, 10:59 PM
- Job Identification 2655
- Posting Date 10/01/2026, 04:51 PM
Economic and Social Research Council
Salary: £58,589 per annum.
Grade: UKRI Band
F.
Contract Type: 23 Months FTC.
Hours:
Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE/job-share).
Location:
Polaris House, Swindon - Hybrid Working Available.
Number of Posts: 1.
Closing date: 22 October 2026 23:59.
About the role
The Heads of Social Research will play a key leadership role in delivering ESRC’s applicant‑led mode strategy.
Working directly to the Associate Director for Advancing Knowledge in Social Science and working closely with the Executive Director of Research and the team’s Head of Economics, you and your co‑lead will be responsible for the implementation, management and monitoring of ESRC’s refreshed applicant‑led mode schemes (Types of funding we offer – ESRC – UKRI).
You will be responsible for the development and oversight of an outstanding portfolio of social research within ESRC’s applicant‑led portfolio.
You and your co‑lead will pro‑actively build and sustain strong links with the research community across a wide range of fields including politics, criminology, geography, psychology, and sociology. catalysing new research ideas and driving a robust pipeline of proposals to ESRC’s applicant‑led mode schemes that deliver high‑quality, breakthrough social science.
You will support the strategic allocation of applicant‑led mode funding by working across ESRC, including with Executive Board and the wider senior leadership team, the Situational Awareness Function, and the research portfolio teams to develop intelligence on emerging areas of research, the health of disciplines, and where ESRC funding can deliver the greatest value.
The Heads of Social Research will be leaders within ESRC’s Advancing Knowledge in Social Science team. Each will supervise a small team responsible for implementing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating ESRC’s applicant‑led mode schemes. These schemes align with ESRC’s strategy for research driven by curiosity.
Working with other ESRC teams, you will also ensure strong connectivity with relevant UKRI priority programmes and other parts of ESRC’s investment portfolio. You will be expected to drive innovation, embrace experimentation, and apply robust evidence to improve funding delivery within ALM schemes.
We are particularly interested in how you work, not just what you have done. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate curiosity, creativity and a strong innovation perspective and who apply what they know in a way that fully aligns with UKRI values.
About the Team
- Advancing Knowledge is a new team in ESRC which will actively shape and deliver our applicant‑led portfolio. Initial goals for the team include:
- LeadESRC’s refreshed applicant‑led mode (ALM) strategy and oversee the transition to new schemes.
- Actively shape ESRC's ALM portfolio:
- Build a strong pipeline of innovative proposals through proactive engagement with the research community.
- Shape the strategic allocation of funding to ensure ESRC delivers maximum value and impact.
- Manage and improve the ALM portfolio:
- Actively manage the ALM portfolio, including supervising performance and supporting grant holders to enhance the impact of their projects.
- Drive continuous improvement in funding practices, embracing experimentation and the use of emerging evidence on improved ways of delivering research and innovation.
- Drive integration across ESRC and UKRI:
- Gather and share insight on fields, methods, and partner relationships.
Ensure strong collaboration with existing teams to ensure ESRC’s ALM schemes support the delivery of the organisation’s wider vision and objectives.
Y…
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).