Research Director

National Centre for Social Research; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization in London seeks an experienced Research Director to lead the delivery of impactful evaluations and manage quantitative projects. The successful candidate will work with various stakeholders and clients while mentoring junior staff. Candidates should have a relevant undergraduate degree and expertise in designing studies, statistical analysis (Stata/R), and strong project management skills. This role offers an opportunity to shape national policies through research.

Qualifications

• Experience directing quantitative evaluation projects.
• Experience of writing high quality bids for research contracts.
• Ability to communicate clearly for different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design high quality experimental and quasi-experimental evaluations.
• Lead proposals for impact evaluations.
• Manage multiple projects to ensure timely delivery.

Skills

Counterfactual impact evaluation design

Randomised control trials

Statistical analysis

Project management

Client management

Education

Undergraduate degree in social science, economics, or statistics

Tools

Stata

R

Job description

Research Director

Department: Policy Research Centre

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London, UK

Description

Our impact evaluation portfolio is growing, and we are looking for an exceptional and experienced Research Director to join us. The successful candidate will lead new business generation and the delivery of our randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental evaluations, working with colleagues from across the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and external partners. We deliver impactful, large-scale evaluations that are used to inform national policies. Policy areas are varied, including education, crime and justice, transport, and health. Our clients include UK government departments, charities and What Works Centres. This is an exciting time to be joining NatCen’s Centre for Evaluation and helping to shape our future. You can find out more about us on our website.

Key Responsibilities

• Designing high quality experimental and quasi-experimental impact evaluations
• Leading on proposals for impact evaluations and winning new business
• Leading delivery of complex impact evaluations, working closely with colleagues from across NatCen
• Implementing and supporting statistical analysis of large datasets and interpreting the results within a policy evaluation context
• Managing multiple projects to ensure delivery is on time and delivered to the highest standards
• Building good client relationships and collaborations with partner organisations
• Development and mentoring junior staff and providing quality assurance for their work
• Contributing to teaching research methods internally and/or externally, including delivering short courses in quantitative methods and other evaluation methodologies
• Promoting the Centre for Evaluation’s work externally, for instance at conferences
• Undertaking continuing personal development to enhance research skills, keeping up to date with recent developments in statistical evaluation methodologies and relevant policy areas
• Maintaining and promoting high ethical and information security standards
• Performing any other reasonable duties that NatCen may require that are consistent with the broad nature of the job

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, such as social science, economics, or statistics.
• Experience of counterfactual impact evaluation design and analysis, including randomised control trials and/or quasi-experimental designs such as difference-in-differences, matched statistical designs, propensity score weighting, and regression discontinuity design.
• Experience of directing quantitative evaluation projects.
• Experience of writing high quality bids for research contracts and grants.
• Experience of conducting analysis using Stata or R.
• Experience of managing clients and stakeholders, working at a senior level.
• Ability to communicate clearly, in different styles and for different audiences.
• Experience of leading and managing teams and developing the skills of junior colleagues.
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage project budgets.

Desirable

• A postgraduate degree involving quantitative analysis or equivalent experience
• Experience with value for money analysis
• Experience with designing and administering large-scale quantitative surveys
• Experience analysing administrative and large survey datasets in fields such as health and wellbeing, education, employment, or crime and justice
• Familiarity with a wider range of evaluation methods such as process evaluations and theory-based evaluation

NatCen Requirements

• Maintain high ethical standards
• Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of all responsibilities in relation to maintaining confidentiality with both written and oral communication
• Actively conform to the legislative and procedural requirements in relation to the collection, management, storage and destruction of data
• Follow the requirements of our Operating Standards, and also to meet the requirements of all our ISO standards
• Other duties which may be required from time to time

This job description may be changed from time to time at the discretion of management