Research and Policy Manager: EDI in Science

The British Science Association seeks an EDIS Research and Policy Manager to lead research, data and policy insight that helps science and health research organisations strengthen their equality, diversity and inclusion practice.

Job Title: EDIS Research and Policy Manager

Reporting to: Head of EDIS

Responsible for: Consultants, research partners and temporary project support where required.

Based: Our Head Office is based in London, but we have an agile working policy enabling people to work at another UK location up to 4 days/week. Requests for permanent remote working will be considered and we welcome applications from people based in other parts of the UK.

Terms: Full-time (35 hours per week), permanent. Requests for part-time or flexible working will be considered

Salary: £36,507- £40,516 FTE per annum

Download the candidate pack for this role as a pdf

About the role

The EDIS Research and Policy Manager will lead research, data, policy insight and learning across EDIS, ensuring the programme remains credible, relevant and responsive to its member organisations, communities and the wider science and health research sector.

A central focus of the role will be providing tailored support to EDIS member organisations to build on and further develop their data-informed EDI practice. Drawing on research and insight, the postholder will help members strengthen internal decision-making, demonstrate progress and support sustainable organisational development and growth through accessible resources, shared learning and approaches suited to their contexts.

They will gather and interpret policy developments, research, data, member insight and sector learning, translating them into clear recommendations for EDIS programme design, policy, influencing, inclusive practice and evaluation. Horizon scanning will identify emerging opportunities and implications for EDIS and its member organisations.

The postholder will manage a portfolio of research, policy, evidence and insight projects, setting priorities, managing resources and risks, and ensuring high-quality delivery. They will provide evidence-informed advice to the Head of EDIS on programme priorities, policy development, member support and sector influence.

Working closely with EDIS member organisations and communities, the Francis Crick Institute, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) partner, commissioned researchers and British Science Association colleagues, the postholder will ensure activity is inclusive, ethical, accessible and connected to delivery.

The role suits an experienced research, data and policy professional with strong project management, sound judgement and a collaborative approach. They will be confident managing competing priorities and applying inclusive approaches so diverse perspectives inform evidence and decisions.

Job description

Key responsibilities

• Lead EDIS research, data, evidence and policy activity, managing priorities, plans, resources, milestones, budgets and quality standards.
• Analyse evidence, member insight and sector developments, translating complex material into practical recommendations, policy positions, briefings, evidence-informed guidance and sector learning.
• Build relationships with members, the Francis Crick Institute, community organisations, researchers and sector partners to align evidence activity with inclusive research priorities and programme delivery.
• Provide tailored support to EDIS members to build on and further develop their data-informed EDI practice, drawing on research and insight to strengthen internal decision-making, demonstrate progress and support sustainable organisational development and growth.
• Manage the day-to-day relationship with the monitoring, evaluation and learning partner, ensuring findings are timely and inform programme decisions.
• Enable meaningful and accessible co-design, ensuring people and communities most affected by inequity can influence decisions and see how their contributions have shaped outcomes.
• Ensure data and evidence are collected, analysed, disaggregated, stored and communicated ethically and responsibly.
• Gather and synthesise evidence of progress, learning and change, transparently to support accountability and impact reporting across the EDIS portfolio.
• Develop accessible reports, presentations and resources that support communication, learning and sector influence.
• Embed equity, inclusion, accessibility and ethical practice throughout research, data and policy activity, identifying and addressing systemic and structural inequities within science and health research.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the BSA and contribute expertise to the wider Policy team’s priorities and activities.

About you

The successful candidate will bring the following experience, skills and approach.

Essential criteria

• Experience delivering research, policy, evidence review, evaluation or insight projects, including activities such as literature reviews, evidence synthesis, stakeholder research, data collection, analysis or report production.
• Demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, with practical experience applying inclusive, accessible and ethical approaches to research, data, policy or engagement, including responsible data handling, participation and meaningful involvement.
• Strong analytical skills, including experience reviewing and synthesising qualitative and/or quantitative evidence to identify key findings, draw conclusions and develop practical recommendations.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively in writing, adapting reports, briefings, policy content and other materials for different audiences and needs.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills, including managing multiple workstreams, monitoring progress against plans, maintaining accurate records and delivering outputs to agreed deadlines.
• Experience working collaboratively with and providing support to member organisations, partners, researchers, community groups or policymakers to strengthen practice and achieve shared objectives.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and make informed decisions within an agreed area of responsibility.

Desirable criteria

We do not expect candidates to have all of the following, but one or more would be helpful in the role.

• Experience working in science, research, health, public engagement, or membership settings.
• Knowledge of inclusive research, public involvement, citizen science or community engagement approaches.
• Experience working with monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks.
• Experience supporting policy influencing, advocacy or sector change activity.

Criteria

How to apply

Please send a CV and covering letter (each of no more than two A4 pages) that summarises your interest in the role and details your ability to match the criteria.

Applications should be made via this link: https://recruit.smb.co.uk/vacancy.aspx?id=5URqekxY4xBc6RTt

The closing date for applications is Monday 19 October 2026.

First interviews are due to take place online on Monday 16 November 2026, with second interviews (in person in London) expected on Monday 23rd November 2026.

You will be informed as soon as possible after the application deadline whether you have been selected for interview.

As part of the British Science Association’s commitment to being a Disability Confident employer, all disabled applicants who meet the ‘essential criteria’ for this vacancy will be offered an interview under our guaranteed interview scheme.

If you wish to apply under the guaranteed interview scheme, you will be asked to indicate this when you submit your application by selecting ‘yes’ in the relevant box when asked during the application process. Applicants do not need to state any further information or declare their disability at the application stage.

Whether you are applying under the scheme or not, if you are successful in being shortlisted, we will ask candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions to let us know if they need any adjustments during the recruitment process.

If you have further questions or would like this information in a different format, please contact: recruitment@britishscienceassociation.org