About the job

Job summary

The responsibilities for the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology for 2023 are as follows:

• Positioning the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancement
• Driving innovations that change lives and sustain economic growth
• Delivering talent programmes, physical and digital infrastructure and regulation to support our economy, security and public services
• R&D funding

For 2023, our priorities are:

• Optimise public R&D investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private R&D to make our economy the most innovative in the world.
• Promote a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure (such as gigabit broadband), making the UK the best place to start and grow a technology business and developing and attracting top talent.
• Put our public services – including the NHS and schools – at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working and the development of in-house STEM capability to improve outcomes for people.
• Strengthen international collaboration on science and technology in line with the Integrated Review, and ensure our researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world.
• Deliver key legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and our pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.
• Pass the remaining stages of the reformed Online Safety Bill to keep British people, especially children, safe online.

Our Inclusive Environment

We are building an inclusive culture to make the Department a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. We will fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.

Find Out More

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforsciencetechnologyandinnovation?

You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/

Job description

The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) leads the Government’s work to enable trustworthy innovation using data and artificial intelligence (AI), supporting:

- the National Data Strategy’s objective to unlock the power of data to drive economic growth and competitive advantage, benefiting citizens across the UK.
- the National AI Strategy’s ambition to ensure that the governance of AI technologies encourages safe and responsible innovation, investment, and protects the public and our fundamental values.
- the government’s ambition to be a science and technology superpower by driving the adoption of AI through the development of a strong UK assurance ecosystem and accelerating innovation in cutting-edge privacy-enhancing technologies.

We are looking for a Researcher to join the CDEI’s Public Attitudes team, reporting to the Head of Public Attitudes. The CDEI’s Public Attitudes team delivers research projects to ensure data and AI initiatives, both within the CDEI and across government, are underpinned by a deep understanding of public attitudes. In doing so, we help ensure policy initiatives are aligned to public values, and ultimately foster public trust.

Applicants should have a good understanding of every stage of the research process, with experience of designing, delivering and reporting on complex and high-profile research projects across a range of sectors and audiences. This role involves close collaboration with colleagues across the civil service, academia and civil society. You will join a small team of highly motivated individuals, working in a fast paced, highly dynamic environment. The role offers an exciting opportunity to deepen your knowledge of, and to shape, the most important and high-profile issues facing UK society today.

Person specification

- Supporting the design and delivery of research projects using quantitative and qualitative public engagement methodologies, working closely with external suppliers.
- Identifying patterns and stories in data, making recommendations on the interpretation of analysis.
- Presenting findings and analysis via reports and publications.
- Building and managing relationships with stakeholders from across academia, civil society and government.
- Monitoring UK and international best practice research across academia and civil society, bringing the best new thinking into the CDEI’s work.
- Assisting the Head of Public Attitudes to shape the strategic direction of the team by suggesting new methods, activities and research projects.

Essential skills and experience

- Proven track record of high-quality public attitudes research design and delivery using quantitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. survey design, sampling, weighting) and data analysis.
- Experience of qualitative research or mixed methods research, including research design, data collection (interviewing, focus groups) and data analysis.
- Experience of conducting and evaluating statistical analysis using software such as SPSS and Excel.
- Able to interpret data (quant and qual) to draw out key findings and explain these insights to non-technical audiences via verbal and written communications.
- Interest in the responsible governance of AI and data-driven technology, and an interest in the way digital technologies impacts upon society and the economy.
- Comfortable liaising with senior stakeholders and building effective partnerships, internally and externally.

Additionally, you must either be a full member of one of the following Govt analytical professions: Government Social Research Service (GSR), Government Statistical Group (GSG) or Government Operational Research Service (GORS).

Or

be able to demonstrate that a) you satisfy the eligibility criteria and b) have the competence, at the required grade (HEO), for one of the analytical professions, and be willing to undertake the specific tests and assessments for these professions as part of the interview process.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,120, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £8,402 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an example of any technical skills required.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to State your profession, or chosen profession if you are applying from outside government, please explain how you meet the competency requirements the profession, in the context of the essential skills and experience required of the post and outlined in the Person specification. The competency frameworks for each of the three government professions can be found here:
GORS  
http://www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment/competencies/ 

GSR  
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework  

GSG 
https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/competency-framework-for-the-government-statistician-group-gsg/

Applications will be sifted on CV, personal statement, and any technical skills required.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The interview will consist of behaviour and technical questions, as well as a written exercise.

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.

External candidates applying to join the GSR or GSG professions will be required to undertake an online test prior to interview

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 22/01/2024

Interview dates: w/c 29/01/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.