Senior Analyst

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UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £43,116 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire/London.

Closing Date Friday 7th June 2024

What is UK Research and Innovation?

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) was formed in 2018 by bringing together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position. UKRI seeks to maximise value from government's investment in research and innovation, and advises the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on the balance of funding. It leads the strategic direction of research and innovation funding in the UK, pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through blue skies research, and delivering benefits to UK society and the economy through its investment.

Building on success

The UK has a world class research and innovation system. Our expertise spans all fields of knowledge, from the discovery of penicillin and monoclonal antibodies, to the jet engine and the world-wide web. Our inspirational creative industries are strong in art, design and the innovative use of new materials and technologies. Our universities and laboratories produce a disproportionate percentage of the world's top research, and their academics are highly sought as international colleagues and co-authors and are among the world's best at attracting overseas students. Nor is this excellence confined to university campuses and research centres. Our engineering, automotive and pharmaceutical industries are successful in part because of the superb graduates they can hire and the top rate researchers that support them.

Our partners

The nine UKRI partners each bring unique assets to this cooperation. Innovate UK helps businesses to identify the commercial potential in new technologies and turn them into the new products and services that will drive economic growth and increase productivity; strong discipline-facing Research Councils encourage breadth and diversity, curiosity-driven research, and priority-driven initiatives; Research England's work on knowledge exchange focuses on capacity and culture in universities and provides balance to the funding system, driving quality and impact through the Research Excellence Framework. More information can be found at .

Purpose

The UKRI Analysis Team

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, multi-disciplinary analytical team at the heart of UKRI. We work hand in hand with our strategy team, partners and government on some of the biggest issues facing UK research and innovation, such as the incredible contribution made by R&D in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, or how the UK can develop and commercialise new technologies to unleash innovation.

Our work will play a key role in delivering the government's ambition to strengthen the UK's position as a global science and technology superpower, set out in the R&D Roadmap and Innovation Strategy. The UKRI analysis team are responsible for the high-quality evidence that is vital to delivering this ambition. As part of this team, you will lead compelling analysis to influence decision makers in government and have a lasting impact on research and innovation in the UK.

UKRI is currently undertaking a large data transformation programme which includes introducing new systems to capture application information (TFS), financial information (SHARP) as well as a single data warehouse solution (DataBank) and tools for the effective analysis of these datasets. All UKRI staff will contribute to ensuring that these are designed for the benefit of UKRI and fully realise UKRI's vision for better and more widely accessible data. Data and evidence is at the heart of what UKRI does.

The Role

Senior Analyst - Thematic Analysis (Grade E)

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Data Scientist/Data Analyst to join the Strategic and Systems Analysis team within UKRI Central. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting rigorous and experimental data science methodology development to answer cross-cutting questions on the UKRI investment portfolio. These questions will relate to "themes" such as Net Zero, Energy, Critical Technologies, UKRI's strategic priorities, etc. This will involve conducting data analysis on complex portfolio queries and using data to inform evidence-based decision making for the organisation. The candidate will play a critical role in providing insights and recommendations that align with the needs of our executives, strategy, and policy colleagues as well as DSIT queries. The candidate will develop long term improved tools and solutions for thematic analysis. It is anticipated that the candidate will develop training and guidance on these solutions for other analysts as well as non-analyst audiences.

You will have the opportunity to learn and grow in this role as you work with partners across UKRI, DSIT and other government organisations to ensure a streamlined approach to portfolio analysis. There will be opportunities to respond to new priorities and be involved in exciting analysis projects across the organisation.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the role will include, but are not limited to:

• Clean, manipulate, and analyse large and complex data to identify trends, patterns, and relationships in UKRI grant data.
• Investigating and mapping UKRI's contributions to key thematic areas such as UKRI's strategic objectives, government priorities, and emerging themes.
• Develop and implement statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and other data-driven approaches to gain insights and make predictions.
• Provide support to the strategy team, and the wider analytical cohort.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and results to a variety of stakeholders, including non-technical partners, through data visualizations, presentations, and reports.
• Monitor performance of models and algorithms, and continuously evaluate and improve the accuracy and efficiency of predictive models by implementing robust quality control processes and procedures.
• Keep up to date with the latest developments in data science and machine learning and continuously seek opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the organisation to gather requirements and deliver data-driven insights and recommendations.

We are committed to supporting each other's personal and professional development and will support your learning and development ambitions in this role.

About you

You will have a data analysis background. This role is open to all analysts with the relevant skills and experience and you do not need to be badged to a Government Analytical Profession such as the GES, GSR, GORS or GSS to apply for this role.

Essential Criteria:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, such as statistics, mathematics, computer science; and/or at least 3 years of experience in data analysis and/or data science.
• Proven ability in a working context related to data science analytics.
• Strong experience with data analysis tools and programming languages, such as R, Python, and SQL.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team environment.

Technical expertise :

• Skills in developing comprehensive and well-structured responses to data analysis queries of large portfolios. This should ideally include using innovative data science techniques.
• Experience of problem structuring, working with qualitative and quantitative data and the model development cycle; analysing scenarios and investigating the impact of changes; applying quality assurance techniques to make sure that your analysis is robust and fit for purpose
• Familiarity with a range of forecasting, statistical and modelling techniques, understanding their advantages and disadvantages
• Your ability to learn and apply a new analytical technique to advise on a solution to a problem
• Coding experience (eg. R, Python, SQL) and working with large datasets

Analytical Skills :

• You will have experience in building strong relationships with users of analysis; scoping their needs and planning analytical projects to address them; drawing on a broad range of data analytics techniques to deliver high quality pieces of analytical work at pace; clearly communicating the implications of your analysis and its limitations; and leading and coordinating across analytical teams or projects to prioritise effectively across a portfolio of work .

Behaviours

The following should be discussed in your cover letter and will be the basis for sifting of candidates for shortlisting.

• Seeing the Big Picture - Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area. Seek out and share experiences to develop knowledge of the team's business area. Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.

• Making Effective Decisions - Understand own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate. Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular. Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.

• Communicating and Influencing - Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people's individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.

• Delivering at pace - Show a positive approach to keeping the whole team's efforts focused on the top priorities. Promote a culture of following the appropriate procedures to ensure results are achieved on time whilst still enabling innovation. Ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively. Regularly monitor your own and team's work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks. Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance. Allow individuals the space and authority to meet objectives, providing additional support where necessary, whilst keeping overall responsibility.

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ' How we support EDI in the workforce '.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.