Summary
We’re looking for a Research Officer to join our Research Team and play a key role in delivering and strengthening our organisation’s research to support the. The role supports good research practice, providing expert advice, and ensuring high-quality research activity across the organisation. Working closely with colleagues and external partners, you will help shape how research is designed, governed, communicated and shared, ensuring it has impact and supports informed decision-making now and for the future.
What it's like to work here
You’ll work alongside a supportive and collaborative team that values curiosity, shared learning and practical problem-solving. The team works across organisational boundaries, engaging with specialists, staff and volunteers across multiple disciplines and locations. You’ll take an inclusive approach, with a shared commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes and making research accessible and meaningful to a wide range of audiences.
Your contractual location will be our head office, Heelis in Swindon and we expect you to usually work from that office at least 1 or 2 days each week. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times and we expect you to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week.
What you'll be doing
You’ll play a central part in building a positive, inclusive research culture. You’ll be involved in championing good research practice, advising on research proposals and supporting robust governance processes to ensure quality and consistency across research activity. Acting as a trusted point of contact for research-related queries, you’ll support colleagues at all stages of the research lifecycle, helping turn ideas into well-designed, meaningful research.
Alongside managing our research funding scheme, working with our PhD cohort and contributing to our training programme, you’ll build strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues and external partners, including academic institutions, researchers and postgraduate networks. You’ll also work on research communications, sharing research activity and outputs, managing research information and reporting systems, leading our internal research communications and collaborating with communications colleagues on external communications, to increase visibility and impact.
Who we're looking for
1. Experience in a higher education institution or research organisation.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the academic research sector, including research funding and research landscape outside the Trust.
3. Strong ability to understand, analyse and use both quantitative and qualitative data.
4. Ability to build collaborative working relationships with external and internal stakeholders.
5. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including influencing and negotiating with stakeholders and the ability to communicate with different audiences.
6. Excellent administrative, organisational and time management skills.
7. Strong ability to work independently and as part of a team.
8. Experience of carrying out academic research.
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
•Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
•Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
•Rental deposit loan scheme
•Season ticket loan
•EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
•Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
•Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
•Flexible working whenever possible
•Employee assistance programme
•Free parking at most Trust places