Senior Researcher
Job title: Senior Researcher (with an education focus)
Location: Westminster, London
Salary: £32,000 - £42,000, depending on experience
Closing date: 0900 Friday 16 June
Reform is recruiting for a talented Senior Researcher with expertise in education policy to join its small and dynamic team. They will be responsible for producing independent, challenging and authoritative research. The successful candidate will be an incisive, motivated and self-aware individual, with a proven track record of robust, evidence-based research and excellent communication skills.
Reform is a non-partisan, independent research charity. It is the leading think tank at the heart of Whitehall and Westminster’s efforts to transform public services. We believe in their power to help people flourish, strengthen communities and support a strong, dynamic economy. We believe in a State that acts in the long-term interests of its citizens, ensuring services are outcomes-driven and sustainable, and based on a fair funding settlement and sound public finances for current and future generations. The successful candidate will be committed to this mission and Reform’s core principles.
The successful candidate will work on our exciting ‘Reimagining the State’ programme, and produce research outputs across our work streams. They will have a particular focus on education policy, and will have the opportunity to help shape and deliver a new education research stream. They will work closely with an expert education advisory group and senior stakeholders to produce innovative but implementable policy ideas ahead of a general election, and will build strong relationships across the sector and in politics to maximise impact.
Key responsibilities
Senior Researchers are responsible for designing and delivering robust research projects, and producing compelling, evidence-led policy reports. They also support the development of more junior members of the research team, working with the Director of Policy to provide oversight and quality assurance.
They play a full role in promoting Reform’s work, presenting policy insights and report findings in innovative and engaging ways. They will represent Reform in the media, and at internal and external events.
Our Senior Researchers build strong relationships with stakeholders across public services, business, academia and politics. They are expected to develop a personal profile as a go-to commentator on public policy and so extend Reform’s reach and influence.
Senior Researchers also support Reform’s fundraising activities, including identifying opportunities for new partnerships, working closely with the Director.
About you
We are looking for an exceptional candidate with a minimum of three years’ work experience in a relevant sector (including but not limited to consulting, think tanks, government, academia, or journalism).
It is essential that candidates can demonstrate:
- Knowledge and understanding of UK public policy and politics, and specifically education policy
- Excellent knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies and experience of applying different methods
- Excellent analytical skills, including good data literacy, with the ability to rapidly process and synthesise information and identify innovative ideas for problem-solving
- A proven track record of designing and undertaking research projects end-to-end, including drafting compelling policy papers
- Strong project management skills, including the design, process and delivery of a project within set timelines
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to tailor messages for different audiences
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build productive internal and external relationships and collaborate effectively with colleagues
- A commitment to Reform’s mission and values
Working at Reform
Our culture. We aim to create a fun, high-energy, high-productivity working environment in which team members go out of their way to support each other. We encourage open debate and constructive challenge.
Autonomy. At Reform, we welcome new ideas, and encourage team members to explore ideas for projects, solve problems, and pursue new prospects in a self-determined way.
Development. All team members are supported to grow in their roles and acquire new skills, experiences, and areas of expertise.
Working together. We believe in the power of in-person collaboration. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, but generally expect all staff to be present in our London office.
Application details
To apply for the Senior Researcher position, please send us a CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria and why you are interested in this role at Reform. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
We operate a university-blind recruitment process. It is therefore essential that you do not include the name of any university you attended anywhere in either document.
Applicants that include the name of a university they studied at will be automatically rejected.
Applications will close at 0900 on Friday 16 June and late applications will not be considered. Please send your application to recruitment@reform.uk.
Interviews will be held in-person on Monday 26 June and applicants are asked to be available on that date. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to undertake a short task ahead of the interview.
We are happy to make reasonable adjustments at any stage should this be requested. Reform is committed to diversity.
Thank you for considering applying for a job at Reform. We are really looking forward to reading your application.