Research Lead (9 months Maternity cover)

This is an exciting opportunity to lead British Transport Police (BTP) Research Strategy and embed evidence-based policing into decision making. BTP are recruiting a Research Lead for a 9 month Secondment/FTC. This is a full time position role paying £56,195.95 per annum (FTE), plus £3,033.56 London Allowance per annum (FTE) based at Force Headquarters, Camden. The role supports flexible blended working patterns of working from home and the office. 

BTP is the national police Force for the rail network throughout Great Britain, including London Underground, across which we ensure the safety and security of nearly 3 billion passenger journeys and over 100 million tons of freight every year. The world in which we work is fast-paced, operationally and commercially demanding, and constantly changing. As Research Lead with BTP you will lead research excellence, advise, direct and support senior management, other departments, and individual staff members in their efforts to conduct effective research projects and consultations. You will provide a high level of expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods to direct policing through an evidence based approach.  Engaging with academic institutions, College of Policing and other research organisation to improve policing outcome for victims and support our mission to be Guardians of the Railway . You will manage a  programme of research, ensuring that all research is relevant, cost-effective and carried out to the highest possible scientific standard and in line with DfT governance. To facilitate BTP’s use of research evidence to inform best practice, solve problems and deliver service improvements.

As Research Lead you will be required to:

• Overall responsibility for leading and implementing the Force research strategy to embed research and evidence based capabilities within BTP that drive improved performance or standards.
• Responsible for developing a programme of primary research based on the principles of Evidence Based Policing, ensuring that all research is relevant, cost-effective and carried out to the highest possible scientific standard. Responsible for leading BTP’s use of research evidence in a way that informs best practice, helps solve problems and delivers service improvements
• Work closely with senior management and liaising with external partners to identify good practice nationally and internationally, ensuring that the work of BTP’s researchers becomes increasingly well known amongst a range of stakeholders; regional, national and international.
• Lead on surveying and engagement with victims, passengers, rail staff and other relevant stakeholders to support decision making in the development of BTP strategic and financial planning through management of the Victim Satisfaction, Passenger and Rail Staff Surveys to fulfil BTP and BTPA statutory obligations under sections 50-59 of the Railway Transport Safety Act 2003.

Further information about this vacancy can be found in the attached job description. The successful Research Lead will be required to evidence the following:

• A graduate qualification in a relevant discipline, preferably with a social research methods or criminological component.
• At least three years’ experience of working in a police, criminal justice, governmental research and/ or policy setting environment.
• Significant Research methodological experience and significant experience at a senior level within the police service or comparable organisation.
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative research skills.
• Advanced knowledge of social science research methodology and statistics.

If you are interested in applying to this Research Lead role then please do not delay as interviews will be held as soon as appropriate candidates are highlighted. In return for your experience, we can offer you: 

• Salary of £56,195.95 per annum, plus £3,033.56 London Allowance per annum (FTE)
• Yearly base salary increments (subject to satisfactory performance in last PDR year)
• Working from home allowance available to purchase suitable equipment for blended & home working
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible agile working approach
• Family friendly policies including up to 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave
• Bespoke benefits platform and access to Blue Light Card
• Development opportunities including fully funded apprenticeships
• Employee assistance programme and dedicated wellbeing hub
• Pension scheme

BTP is an employer who cares about the impact we have on the environment and the wider challenges of climate change, and as such we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and achieving Net Zero Carbon (NZC) through offsetting by 2035.

At BTP we are proud guardians of the railway and it is crucial that we represent the diverse communities we serve and protect. As ‘One BTP’ across the UK, we know that diversity, inclusion and belonging help us improve our decision making, foster creativity and drive innovation so all our people can thrive.

Our vacancies are open to everyone and all appointments are made based on merit. So that we can become more diverse we encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, women, people who have a disability, those who are neurodiverse and persons who identify as LGBTQI+. We use positive action to encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups through targeted workshops or advice sessions.  If you have the skills, experience and values that here in BTP we pride ourselves on then we would welcome you to apply.

For more information on Positive Action please click here or email the team on PART-Recruitment@btp.police.uk

If you have any questions about the application process, please email our friendly and helpful team where we will be happy to help you:  RecruitmentTeam@btp.police.uk. If your question related to equality or diversity then you can also contact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team directly at: PART-Recruitment@btp.police.uk To reassure you, anything you ask us will be in the strictest confidence and will not form part of your application.

In order to apply, you must have the permanent right to live and work in the UK and have been resident in the UK for the previous 5 years. You will be asked these and other questions to determine your eligibility to work for British Transport Police when you start your application and you must answer honestly.

BTP GPP Police Staff Pension Scheme is administered by Royal London and this is a group personal pension plan which is available to all police staff. It’s a defined contribution scheme, offering employees the flexibility to vary their pension contributions from 4.4% to 12% of their salary. For more information, visit the Royal London dedicated pension page or email us at Pension-Queries@btp.police.uk .Please note if you are an existing member of Police Staff in the RPS your pension will not be affected. 

Internal candidates must have completed their probation for their current substantive posting and can only apply in tenure if Head of Department approval is emailed to Recruitmentteam@btp.police.uk prior to the vacancy closing. Internal candidates must confirm that they are not subject to formal action plans for sickness/complaints/discipline or poor performance and that all mandatory training courses have been attended and are in ticket/up to date. A minimum rating of 3 (performing) or a rating of U (no rating) must have been achieved on the last reporting year PDR.