Senior Research Policy Officer

Government Recruitment Service; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is recruiting for a Senior Research Policy Officer in London. The role sits within the DHSC Science, Research and Evidence Directorate, contributing to cross-cutting research policy and operational delivery for NIHR funding and contracts.

You will work with DHSC and NIHR partners to implement policy decisions, support contracting processes, and help ensure effective delivery of research initiatives across the department.

Job description

In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

DHSC invests significantly in research and development (R&D) to support the delivery of its objectives primarily through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

NIHR’s mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Established in 2006, NIHR is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research and NIHR’s people, research programmes, centres of excellence and systems together represent the most integrated health and care research system in the world. NIHR has transformed research in and for the health and care sector, helping to shape the health research landscape more broadly.

NIHR is directed by the Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), who is also NIHR's Chief Executive Officer, and by the Director and Senior Management Team of DHSC's Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate.

SRE is committed to being an inclusive and supportive place to work and welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We invest in colleagues’ professional development through a strong learning and development offer, including a dedicated budget to support relevant training and build skills for future career progression.

The post holder will be part of a small team within the DHSC Research Systems Branch of the DHSC Science Research and Evidence Directorate. The Branch is responsible for cross-cutting research policy and operations for the NIHR, including digital, contracting, and finance. This role will work across the Directorate in areas of research policy development and operational implementation and will work closely with delivery partners of the NIHR to ensure effective delivery.

DHSC contracts directly with a number of NHS trusts, universities and life science organisations that between them host the NIHR Coordinating Centre (NIHRCC) which has operational responsibility for the NIHR. This role will work with DHSC Commercial and policy leads to support the implementation of new contracts for the hosts of the NIHRCC, following the conclusion of a £364m procurement process this year.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Senior Research Policy Officer

Company: Government Recruitment Service

Salary: £44,054 to £44,054 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: London

Job type: Temporary

Posting date: 16 Oct 2026

Closing date: 28 Oct 2026

Summary

In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

DHSC invests significantly in research and development (R&D) to support the delivery of its objectives primarily through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

NIHR’s mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Established in 2006, NIHR is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research and NIHR’s people, research programmes, centres of excellence and systems together represent the most integrated health and care research system in the world. NIHR has transformed research in and for the health and care sector, helping to shape the health research landscape more broadly.

NIHR is directed by the Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), who is also NIHR's Chief Executive Officer, and by the Director and Senior Management Team of DHSC's Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate.

SRE is committed to being an inclusive and supportive place to work and welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We invest in colleagues’ professional development through a strong learning and development offer, including a dedicated budget to support relevant training and build skills for future career progression.

The post holder will be part of a small team within the DHSC Research Systems Branch of the DHSC Science Research and Evidence Directorate. The Branch is responsible for cross-cutting research policy and operations for the NIHR, including digital, contracting, and finance. This role will work across the Directorate in areas of research policy development and operational implementation and will work closely with delivery partners of the NIHR to ensure effective delivery.

DHSC contracts directly with a number of NHS trusts, universities and life science organisations that between them host the NIHR Coordinating Centre (NIHRCC) which has operational responsibility for the NIHR. This role will work with DHSC Commercial and policy leads to support the implementation of new contracts for the hosts of the NIHRCC, following the conclusion of a £364m procurement process this year.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.