Head of Research

The Head of Research leads ODI's multidisciplinary team of researchers.

Reporting to the Director of Research, the Head of Research is responsible for scoping, selling and delivering ODI's research to support the creation of an open, trustworthy data ecosystem. The Head of Research plays a key role in ensuring that research priorities at the ODI are aligned with our strategy; and that they remain sustainable through fundraising and business development.

ODI research spans multiple sectors and stakeholders all over the world. It brings together insights and methods from multiple disciplines (e.g., computer science, AI, data science, social sciences, law, digital humanities, arts) to advance the world's understanding of how we build, assess, and use data infrastructure and technologies. ODI researchers work closely with consultants, product designers, technologists, and trainers across the business to ensure research results respond to real-world concerns and achieve impact.

The Head of Research supports the Director of Research with the overall line management of the research team. Furthermore, the role leads on building an internal community of practice around research methods and toolkits, research quality assurance, research integrity, and research data management.

The Head of Research role has specific responsibilities, as well as more general responsibilities as a senior member of the team and line manager.

Key responsibilities of the role

Overseeing the scoping and delivery of the ODI's research projects and research-led programmes.

Leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver research projects, providing expertise on data and AI standards, technology, and research practices.

Line-managing ODI researchers.

Identifying and leading on research-focused fundraising and business development opportunities from a range of public, commercial, and philanthropic sources.

Ensuring that all research and development work produced by the ODI is well-designed and delivered, including supporting and holding to account the R&D team and associates in their delivery of work.

Leading our internal community of practice on research methods and toolkits, research quality assurance, research integrity, and research data management.

Building and maintaining relationships with people and organisations who are undertaking research that supports the design and delivery of open, trustworthy data ecosystems, including public and private sector organisations, academic institutions as well as community-driven actors, nationally, across Europe and internationally.

Overseeing the dissemination of research activities and results in research venues, including peer-reviewed conferences and journals in the pertinent disciplines.

Working closely with the policy team to ensure ODI's research priorities remain policy-relevant and that policy work is informed with the latest findings of ODI research.

Working with the technology, consultancy, learning, and product teams to support the development of ODI products and services based on or informed by research activities.

Being an external ambassador for the ODI on research and technology-related topics, representing the team at client meetings, conferences and other events - both domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities as a member of the senior leadership team Supporting the Director of Research in advising the CEO and Board on ODI's strategy, aiming towards achieving its mission and being a sustainable organisation.

Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team and Board on research matters.

Exercising financial and contractual responsibilities and compliance controls.

Representing the ODI to external stakeholders and clients.

Developing the sustainability of the organisation e.g., through developing leads, designing projects and programmes of work, core funding, financial management, restructuring, and negotiating to bring in work to the ODI.

Supporting and holding to account the whole ODI team in their work and conduct.

Supporting the whole ODI team pastorally and in their professional development.

Responsibilities as a line manager

Providing pastoral care for the line reports through regular check ins & catch ups and monitoring their attendance and sick leave.

Defining & managing the performance of line reports by ensuring they keep their role description up to date, helping them define their objectives & reviewing these on a quarterly basis.

Managing and overseeing business development activities with research involvement.

Managing the resourcing and workload of line reports in collaboration with project leads and delivery managers, including ensuring they take their holiday and helping them to manage their time.

Helping line reports engage well with the organisation, including communicating & clarifying company strategy and policies, and dealing with any conflicts they experience with clients or members of the team.

Ensuring line reports receive professional required CPD, coaching or mentoring to aid their professional development.

Being involved in recruiting new people to fill research roles, including drafting role descriptions, shortlisting and interviewing.

Responsibilities as a member of the ODI team

Reflecting and developing ODI's values and culture in the way you work.

Taking time for professional required CPD, coaching and mentoring, both individually and as a team.

Skills, knowledge and experience

A degree in a computational, AI or data subject, ideally a PhD or comparable relevant experience.

Extensive experience in a research role in a computational, AI or data field.

Proven track record of experience in applying qualitative, quantitative, and computational research methods.

Familiarity, both in theory and in practice, with core and emerging data-related technologies, including at least one of the following: AI, privacy-enhancing technologies, knowledge graphs and semantic technologies, web data publishing, data products, data spaces and data management.

A deep understanding of what makes research impactful and a track record of research impact success stories.

A track record in planning, scoping, conducting, analysing and communicating research to different audiences.

A great storyteller and communicator, able to speak fluently to businesses, designers, engineers and other stakeholders (in English).

Experience with leading, managing, and growing a team of researchers with different backgrounds.

Experience in training or coaching others in best practices around research methods and toolkits, research quality assurance, research integrity, and research data management.

Ability to work effectively under pressure and to short deadlines.

Ability to multi-task and move quickly between projects through effective prioritisation.

Organised and with excellent attention to detail.

Cares about the mission and goals of ODI.

A strong record of fundraising and peer-reviewed publications.

Experience in working across disciplines, sectors, and countries.

A network of collaborators and stakeholders from different sectors.

The ODI's Values

The ODI expects all staff and associates to demonstrate our values of curiosity, creativity and collaboration.

Curiosity - We ask questions, we are interested in our world, in the people we work with, and in the opportunities and risks we encounter together. We challenge assumptions and the status quo so that we continuously learn, improve and grow, enabling all of our partners to do the same.

Creativity - We strive to be creative in our approach, culture and outcomes so that everything we do delivers unique value and is inspiring.

Collaboration - We seek to bring together the best people, organisations and ideas to contribute positively to everything we do together and to the world we aim for - a world where we bring the best of collective working to provide the skills and insights needed to achieve positive, sustainable impact.

5% contributory pension

Life assurance cover

Long-term disability cover

Critical illness cover

Coaching and mentoring for skills and personal development

Please upload a CV and Cover Letter explaining why you are the right candidate for the role by time and date.

Note to applicants

The ODI welcomes and encourages job applications from a diverse range of backgrounds to promote an inclusive culture and a diverse working environment.

We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We expect all employees to embrace and uphold these values. This includes actively participating in DEI initiatives, fostering a culture of belonging, treating colleagues with dignity, and demonstrating a willingness to learn and grow in understanding diverse perspectives. We believe that a workplace that reflects the world around us drives innovation and makes us a stronger company.

We are now recognised as a Disability Confident Committed employer (Level 2)

This is a government-supported scheme that supports organisations like ours to make the most of the talents that people with disabilities can bring to our workplace. The scheme

helps us recruit and retain great people; draw from the widest possible pool of talent; secure high-quality employees who are skilled, loyal and hardworking; and improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that we treat all of our people fairly.