Head of Research & Development Funding

Posting date:	03 June 2025
Salary:	£59,003 to £71,686 per year
Additional salary information:	National £59,003 - £71,686 + benefits.
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	15 June 2025
Location:	M2 3AW
Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Job type:	Temporary
Job reference:	408953/1

Summary

The Chief Scientific Adviser team provides scientific and technical leadership within the department, gives direct advice to ministers and officials and ensures that the department is able to draw upon the best possible research and evidence. Professor Tom Crick MBE is the DCMS Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA)

The CSA is supported by a team who coordinate and provide rigorous and robust, scientific and technical advice, and challenge, to the department. The team enables access to expertise through links with the UK science and research communities, and across government.

We support ambitious, strategic research through the DCMS Science and Analysis R&D Programme alongside providing funding for smaller scale rapid evidence gathering to meet immediate demands. Working collaboratively on R&D with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the UK Research Councils and promoting vibrant relationships with the UK science and research community.

The CSA works closely with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Government Office for Science and the Chief Scientific Adviser Network to work collaboratively to address scientific issues for the government.

The DCMS Science and Analysis Research & Development (R&D) Programme funds experimental, cross-cutting, and long-term evidence development with an emphasis on developing sustainable research collaborations, knowledge sharing and networks. This role presents an exciting opportunity to develop a vision and strategy for the next phase of the programme, leading a team of three that sits within the CSA team.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and lead the next phase of the DCMS Science and Analysis R&D Programme, ensuring its delivery, impact and linkage to wider Departmental R&D work and priorities.
• Conduct an evaluation of the first three years (22/23-24/25) of the £8.3m Programme; consolidating findings and best practice.
• Lead and coordinate the development of a robust and sustainable R&D ecosystem for DCMS, including governance, assurance, and best practices.
• Manage senior relationships, both across Government and within the department: the CSA, the Director of Analysis and across analysis, strategy and policy. Develop close working relationships with relevant organisations such as UK Research and Innovation, DCMS Arms Length Bodies and related funding agencies.

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