ESRC is seeking to appoint a new Executive Director to lead our investments in data, talent and AI. They will play a key leadership role ensuring our data infrastructure and talent investments support impactful research that informs decisions about the economy, public service delivery and society over the next decade. The role has direct responsibility for all ESRC investment in data infrastructures and talent, and a responsibility for ensuring that social science research in the UK is positioned to take advantage of the opportunities of artificial intelligence and other new technologies.
The new Executive Director will bring experience of leadership of data infrastructure or data-driven research in the social sciences, with a track record of leadership of insightful and impactful research. The appointee will have an understanding of the opportunities offered by AI in relation to social science data, and the strategic vision to take advantage of them. The successful candidate will bring collaborative and engaged mindset, being capable of working as part of our high-performing, friendly executive team to provide credible, empathetic and effective leadership of ESRC’s workforce and network of partners.
About UKRI and ESRC
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the UK’s public funder of research and innovation, investing over £9 billion each year on behalf of the UK government, spanning all disciplines and all sectors. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
UKRI inspires and enables talented people to push the boundaries of discovery, support innovative businesses to grow and scale, and target solutions to national and global priorities. UKRI connects seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England, and works with the funding agencies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to deliver an ambitious agenda by drawing on its breadth of expertise and the diversity of its portfolio.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is one of the councils of UKRI/ESRC funds world-leading research, data and postgraduate training in the economic, behavioural and social sciences to understand people and improve the world we live in. ESRC is committed to supporting research that benefits the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment and quality of life.
ESRC works in partnership to bring a wealth of opportunities to the social sciences and to create an environment where our research can have an impact on society’s most complex challenges. We take the lead in developing the UK’s data infrastructure and supporting cutting-edge methodological developments to deliver high-quality research and maximise impact.
Appointment Process and How to Apply
UKRI has engaged Perrett Laver to support the recruitment to this post. The closing date for applications is 09.00 BST on Monday 8th June 2026 quoting reference 8437.
To submit your application, please supply a curriculum vitae (CV) and a supporting statement/covering letter, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria. Your CV and supporting statement should each be no longer than two A4 pages in length.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lucy Roper at: Lucy.Roper@perrettlaver.com or + (44)20 3928 7358.
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If you would like us to make adjustments during the application process, please contact Esther Elbro at the following email address: Esther.Elbro@perrettlaver.com.
If you have comments that would support us to improve access to documentation, or our application process more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us via the following email address: accessibility@perrettlaver.com
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