Statistical Analyst

Bristol Job Summary SALARY: £37,841 Per Annum HOURS: Full Time or Part Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE) CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term (ending 31 December 2030) LOCATION: Research England, Westward House, Stoke Gifford, Bristol GRADE: UKRI D POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 1 CLOSING DATE: 5th January 2026 PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE: w/b 2nd February 2026 Job Description About the role The Research Directorate is responsible for Research England’s policy development, evaluation and implementation aimed at maximising the excellence and impact of research in universities in England. As a Statistical Analyst at Research England working across the Research and Analysis Directorates, you will be in a key position to design and deliver analytical tools and processes that directly support the allocation of £2 billion of strategic institutional research funding (SIRF) to higher education providers in England. The research funding team is responsible for Research England’s research funding policy evaluation, development, and implementation. Working primarily with key Analysts and the Research Data & Evidence team you will support the development of work areas, from designing and refining funding algorithms and quality assurance processes to delivering new funding mechanisms, while demonstrating a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. A sound understanding of an analytical product development cycle is crucial for this role, including analysing data using a variety of quantitative methods, evaluating methodologies, and presenting findings. Equally important is experience of quality assurance processes, and an awareness of how these minimise errors in analytical outputs. You will be well-organised and self-motivated, ideally with a background in statistical modelling. Able to work with initiative, you will support the delivery of projects and contribute to their development, while communicating clearly and professionally with colleagues. Your Responsibilities: To support the algorithm-driven allocation of research funds to higher education providers by: • Developing a sound knowledge of the Higher Education sector data used by the analyst team to underpin SIRF funding allocations. • Developing a sound knowledge of the algorithm-driven (also referred to as formula-based) research funding methods used by Research England and collaborating with colleagues to develop, maintain and implement funding models. • Supporting the team by challenging assumptions, considering data and methodological limitations, and suggesting solutions. • Critically evaluating and justifying the choice of methods and tools, using evidence to select and apply appropriate quantitative techniques for developing formula-driven funding allocation models, suggesting adaptations to approaches to effectively incorporate a variety of data sources. • Engaging with quality assurance and publication processes for disseminating outcomes. • Supporting the presentation of high-quality statistical advice and analysis undertaken by the team. To Provide Broader Sector Analysis By: • Supporting the development of new approaches and analytical models that underpin sector benchmarking activities. • Investigating available datasets and determining possible metrics for use in sector analysis. • Collaborating with colleagues on possible ways to gain sector insight from datasets and how these could feed data visualisations that may aid in supplying this insight to internal and external stakeholders. To Assist With Quality Assurance Checks When Required: • Ensuring that the team QA process is always followed. • Making sure that QA approvals are escalated as necessary. Other: • Supporting wider areas of the Research Funding team activities as they arise. Other: • Supporting wider areas of the Research Funding team activities as they arise. Person specification • Formal statistical training: Degree in mathematics, or another subject, or equivalent professional experience, containing formal statistical training. • Analytical expertise: Knowledge of the practical application of statistical and mathematical methodologies, with ability to develop new approaches for analysing and utilising data, rather than relying on rote application of standard methods. • Critical evaluation and problem solving: Ability to critically review and assess data, methods, and processes in a careful and systematic way, identify potential issues or limitations, and suggest practical improvements or alternative approaches. • Programming and data handling: Experience of coding to manipulate datasets. • Quality assurance and coding standards: Experience of checking the accuracy and reliability of analytical work, including writing well-structured code and following good practices to ensure outputs are correct and easy to maintain. • Collaboration and project management: Ability to collaborate with colleagues on the development of work areas and contribute to high-profile processes or projects. • Workload management: Ability to plan and manage a varied workload, adapting to changing priorities effectively. • Communication and influence: Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain data and analysis to non-specialists, ask clarifying questions, and engage in constructive discussions with colleagues to explore ideas and develop solutions. Alongside your salary of £37,841, Research England contributes £10,962 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We 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! UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Selection process details For full details, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role. A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups: • UK nationals • nationals of the Republic of Ireland • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact : • Name : UKRI Recruitment Team • Email : Recruitment@ukri.org Recruitment team • Email : Recruitment@ukri.org