Evidence and Evaluation Manager

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Salary: £37,841 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band D.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (23 Months).
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available.
Closing Date: Wednesday 11th November 2026. 

Job Purpose

This is an exciting time for the Evidence and Evaluation Team as we seek to further develop our analytical capabilities to provide new insights into the BBSRC portfolio of research investments.

Enabling data driven insights, this role will progress strategic analyses looking for trends and patterns in these data and providing the evidence base which helps to inform BBSRCs strategic planning and decision making. Spanning the full remit of BBSRC science, you will work with colleagues across BBSRC and the wider UKRI.

In your analysis you will make use of a range of data analytics approaches to enable insightful analysis. Approaches currently used within the team span text analysis (text mining, searching, clustering), network analysis (to explore collaborations and interactions), research classification, and a range of data visualisation approaches to support the dissemination of analyses to our key stakeholders.

Your responsibilities:

This role is integral to the development of a robust Evidence base across BBSRC and the wider UKRI.

The main activities of the role will include but are not limited to:

• Contributing to responses for requests for information on BBSRC research investments, including Parliamentary questions, Ministerial briefing, and Freedom of Information requests. Ensuring the data underpinning responses are robust and provided with appropriate context.
• Working closely with UKRI-BBSRC subject matter experts to define and analyse research portfolios, identifying relevant grants by text searching, document clustering and auto-classification approaches.
• Contributing to strategic analyses of the UKRI-BBSRC grants portfolio working with a variety of data sources, relating to BBSRC and other funders both nationally and internationally.
• Supporting the development of various corporate analyses relating to BBSRC investments and outputs data (e.g. by Institution, region or research topic) ensuring that source datasets are produced accurately and ensuring analyses are fit for purpose and aligned to business need. Promoting the resources across the office and exploring the potential for new analyses.
• Assisting in the monitoring of research investments data quality, arranging amendments as necessary and ensuring data accuracy and timeliness; this includes ensuring BBSRC core research classifications are maintained.
• Summarising and visualising data relating to research portfolios, tailoring analyses to the needs of stakeholders both within UKRI-BBSRC and externally.
• Continuous improvement to develop your knowledge and skills actively applying your learning to activities in the role. Including: machine-learning, text-mining and data visualisation approaches.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Please ensure your application addresses the shortlisting criteria with examples.

Essential

• Strong data analysis skills, with an ability to work efficiently, accurately, and in a highly organised and reproducible manner when handling, analysing, and interpreting data. (S&I)
• IT literate with working knowledge and practical experience in programming languages such as R, Python or SQL and an aptitude to learn new analytics tools. (S&I)
• Scientific literacy with an interest in the biosciences or related subjects (S&I)
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to present data clearly and concisely with thought for the needs of your audience. (S&I)
• Effective team working and interpersonal skills: able to establish relationships and work with colleagues to deliver results. (S&I)
• Genuine interest in the aims and objectives of BBSRC. (S&I)
   

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. UKRI are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.

• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact [email protected]

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee, and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact [email protected].