THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN SCHOOLS
52,496 per year
Remote
Full-time
13th January 2026
Head of Research & Evaluation
Recruitment Pack- December 2025
Role: Head of Research & Evaluation
Responsible to: Deputy Director
Working hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: Home-based with occasional travel throughout the UK
Benefits: £52,496, 10% pension, 30 days leave plus public holidays, CPD, employee
assistance programme
The Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) wants to change the culture in UK
education so that authentic research and innovation is part of every young person’s
experience.
We’re looking for a Head of Research & Evaluation to join our small but mighty team.
We want you to lead research, evaluation and learning from our work with students,
teachers and our wider network across the UK.
It’s an exciting time to join IRIS. You will drive our research and evaluation practice
forward, improving its efficiency and effectiveness, helping us to build a better
understanding of our impact, which will inform the development of our work and make a
real difference to the lives of thousands of young people.
Reporting to the Deputy Director and managing our Data Analyst, whilst working across
the rest of the IRIS team, you will consider the best ways to evaluate and learn from our
programmes and carry out high quality research leading to publication.
What the job looks like and what you’ll be doing:
• Work alongside our Education Innovation team – to monitor, evaluate, report and
inform the development of our work on the development of Research and Innovation
in schools.
• Work with our Engagement team - to monitor, evaluate and report on the impact of
our school engagement and student research projects.
• Support the work of our Communications team – informing the delivery of impact
reports and the delivery of our communications strategy and overall accountability.
• Work with our Finance & Operations team – supporting the development of our
information management and reporting systems.
• Keep up to date with industry trends and best practice – you’ll stay up to date
with research and evaluation, suggesting changes to our own systems to stay
relevant
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After a period of sustained growth and development we are moving into a position
where we will be able to influence and inform practice and policy across the UK,
reaching many thousands of young people. This role will be important to helping us
achieve our mission in the coming years.
We are keen to recruit from as wide a talent pool as possible, in terms of both personal
and professional background. We welcome applications from any individuals regardless
of age, sex, disability, ethnicity or personal circumstances.
About IRIS
The Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) was founded on the belief that young
people have the capacity to change the world. If their education empowers them with
the right tools, school-aged students can contribute to the community of scientific
research right now.
Despite the evolution of IRIS over the last few years, this founding belief continues to be
central to what we do. Our mission is to change the culture in UK education so that
authentic research and innovation is part of every young person’s experience. We do
this by:
• Creating opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge STEM research
and collaborate with leading universities and institutions while still at school
• Evidencing the impact of students carrying out research while still at school
• Facilitating a research culture by influencing and demonstrating best practice of
STEM research and innovation in schools.
As a charity, everything we do is driven by our moral purpose; to capture talent and
break down barriers that impact underrepresented young people in STEM.
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How to apply
We are inviting applications via completion of an IRIS application form. Applications in
different formats will not be considered. All applications should be accompanied by a
completed Diversity Monitoring form.
Applications should address:
• Why you wish to take on this role.
• What you can bring to the post.
• How you meet the criteria as stated in the job description and person
specification.
If you wish to have an informal conversation about the role prior to applying, please
contact Dr Jo Foster, Director by email at info@researchinschools.org ensuring that the
subject of your email is Inquiry – Head of Research & Evaluation. We will confirm in
the first week of 2026.
The key dates to note for the recruitment process:
• Tuesday 13th January 2026 - Midday: Deadline for applications, which should
be emailed to info@researchinschools.org with the subject heading IRIS
Application – Head of Research & Evaluation.
• Thursday 22nd January 2026: first stage candidates will be invited to online
shortlisting interviews. If you have not received an invitation to a shortlisting
interview by 16th January 2026 you should assume that your application has not
been taken forward to this stage.
• Tuesday 3rd February 2026: formal interviews in London for all candidates who
are shortlisted.
• May 2026: the successful candidate will commence in post.
Please note that candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK. The
successful candidate will be employed under UK law. Shortlisted candidates will be
asked to complete a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would
make them unsuitable to work with children. An online search based on the information
provided by shortlisted candidates will also be conducted. Appointment will be
contingent on a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. All applications and recruitment
records for unsuccessful candidates will be retained for a period of 12 months before
being securely deleted.
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Job Description
Responsible to
Working hours
Location
Benefits
Head of Research & Evaluation
Director
37.5
Home-based with regular travel throughout the UK
£52,496pa, 10% pension, 30 days leave plus public holidays,
CPD, employee assistance programme
Purpose of the Job:
Lead the development and implementation of research and evaluation on the impact of our
work in schools and on students. This will include working closely with colleagues; developing
new approaches to monitoring, evaluation and reporting; work across our network of partners;
supporting the development of effective systems of information management; supporting the
delivery of the Institute’s communications strategy.
Main Duties
Management and Leadership
• Work with the Data Analyst to set annual operational plans and standard procedures
which set out how IRIS will collect, collate and evaluate impact against IRIS’ objectives.
• Ensure that all activities are delivered in line with operational plans.
• Manage the Data Analyst, following the policies of the Institute, via one-to-one meetings,
regular meetings, etc., ensuring that they feel valued and able to work effectively.
• Ensure that there are clear lines of accountability and responsibility which foster and
maintain effective working relationships.
• Provide support for the continued professional development of the Data Analyst in line
with policy and strategic priorities.
• Ensure that effective communications are maintained with colleagues and external
partners to ensure plans are implemented, monitored and reported.
• Oversee the commissioning and effective delivery of external programme evaluation
partner support.
Research & Evaluation
• Lead on innovative research, evaluation and learning in furtherance of strategic
objectives.
• Develop collaborations with other research and educational institutions to maximise
impact, utilising internal/external data and our growing school networks.
• Ensure that evaluation activity at project and programme level meets our strategic
objectives, and is equitable and inclusive.
• Work closely with colleagues to improve the fit of evaluation designs with our internal and
external evidence needs, and the use of insights for both decision making and external
communications.
• Provide strategic and technical support to evaluations.
• Champion a culture of learning, reflection and evidence-based decision making.
• Lead the implementation of internal data collection systems and approaches.
• Synthesise reports for the Directors summarising the latest research on areas of interest
• Support the Head of Engagement in developing our Original Research offer and student
publication routes
• Write articles and papers and publish research on the work of IRIS
• Represent IRIS and our work at conferences, in key policy forums and support the
Directors to increase the public profile of the charity.
• Provide thought leadership across the institute including through regular articles, blogs,
peer-reviewed journals, research reports, evidence reviews, and podcasts.
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Monitoring and Evaluation
• Support the ongoing review and development of monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure that monitoring information is collected and collated, working with the School
Engagement Leads and the Data Analyst.
• Work closely with the Data Analyst and Directors on the continued development of the
Institute’s monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure continued learning and
improvement of services.
Conference Evaluation
• Liaise with the Data Analyst on the planning and delivery of conference evaluation.
Communications
• Work with the communications team to produce the annual Impact Report.
• Act as an ambassador for the Institute, networking to support the development of new and
existing strategic relationships.
• Support the appropriate communication of messages across about our work, helping
translate complex information, scientific theory and research, into engaging
communications and actions.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties that may need to be undertaken. It may be
necessary to undertake other duties to fulfil the objectives of the charity.
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Person
Specification
Criteria
Education &
Qualifications
Experience
Head of Research & Evaluation
Essential attributes
• Postgraduate-level qualification in a relevant discipline,
preferably a PhD in a relevant area of Research and
Evaluation
Assessment
Application
Application /
Interview
• A high standard of written and spoken English
• Extensive experience of leading research and
evaluation design and implementation
• Experience of leading learning processes or
implementing evidence-based changes to strategy or
intervention delivery
• Experience in relationship management
• Experience of leading and managing complex projects
• Expertise in synthesising and sharing complex findings
which are clear, succinct and influential
• Experience of commissioning and/or managing
external research or evaluation partners
• Demonstrable experience and / or knowledge of
overseeing evidence-based evaluations and action
research and an understanding of systems level
change and improvement
• Proven experience of evaluating services and
interventions, writing reports and briefings
• Experience of designing and developing data-driven
solutions and quantitative data analysis techniques
• Experience and / or knowledge of developing regular
reporting and monitoring, including designing data
definitions and use of automated reporting tools
• Experience of undertaking analysis of cost and
outcome data alongside evaluations
• Experience of managing and engaging stakeholders,
enabling them to contribute whilst managing their
expectations
• Proven track record in managing a team to deliver
challenging targets
• Experience of operational planning and management
• Experience of working within a team
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Knowledge
• Knowledge of the STEM education sector and / or an
understanding and commitment to the work of IRIS
• Expertise in either, or both, quantitative and qualitative
Application /
Interview
research methods
• Expertise in developing inclusive evaluation designs in
a test and learn and innovative context
• Expertise in adapting evaluation methods and
approach to different contexts and stages of
programme development, and size/scale of projects
• Expertise in synthesising and sharing complex findings
which are clear, succinct and influential
• Knowledge of determinants of educational
improvement
• Understanding of systems change principles and/or
place-based intervention
• Knowledge of data protection regulations and research
ethics
• Demonstrable expertise and ability to advise on
research design
• An understanding of charitable organisations
• Knowledge of operational management and best
practice
Skills &
Competences
• Good management skills and the ability to enthuse,
motivate and develop a small team to deliver results
Application /
Interview
• Ability to think strategically and to communicate
effectively
• Excellent operational management skills and
experience
• Excellent project management skills and experience
• Excellent all round communication skills and
relationship management abilities
• Effective in both verbal and written communications.
Numerate and able to interpret data and trends.
• Strong IT skills with the ability to use statistical
packages and advanced Excel
• Ability to communicate confidently at all levels
• Good organisation and time management
• Ability to work from own initiative
• Ability to prioritise and adapt to a flexible approach to
working
• Ability to maintain consistency throughout all work
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Personal
Attributes
Other
• Multitasker accustomed to prioritising work schedules
Interview
and working to tight deadlines
• Willing to work at all levels and adaptable to the
situation or task in hand
• Personal drive, energy, integrity, adaptability and
responsibility
• A good team player
• Ability to motivate and inspire others
• Confident in a variety of different situations and able to
present a calm and level-headed approach to
challenges
• Polite, friendly and approachable manner
• Ability to promote a professional image of the Institute
at all times
• Ability to communicate confidently
• Able and willing to work outside normal office hours,
including weekends – with TOIL accrued.
• Able and willing to travel within the UK to monitor and
support the Institute’s work
Application /
Interview
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