Research Lead in London/Hybrid - National Employment Savings Trust (NEST)

London/Hybrid

Up to £57,500

Fixed Term

12 months

37.5 Working Hours - (Flexible)

22 Oct 2026

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Research Lead

*Please note we only accept online applications.*

Role Overview

*Please note this is a 12-month fixed term contract*

The role

The Centre for Inclusive Money is recruiting a thoughtful, collaborative Research Lead who combines broad technical research expertise with the ability to project manage complex research projects. The Research Lead will work closely with an Associate Director (who will act as the overall Project Lead), designing and delivering the research while coordinating partners, resources and different strands of work. You’ll be focussed on the smooth-running of projects and maximising impact from the work.

You’ll be as comfortable getting into the detail as stepping back to see what the evidence means. You’ll have the technical and relational skills to drive projects forward, managing different moving parts and ensuring milestones are met. You’ll bring curiosity, sound judgment and a genuine commitment to research that supports financial security and delivers real-world impact for people in low- and moderate-income households across the UK.

The Research Lead helps shape and deliver system-changing research at the Centre for Inclusive Money. Working closely with colleagues and partners, you’ll take projects from ideas to delivery to insights, turn what we learn into compelling outputs, and be a confident voice for Inclusive Money when we share our work with the world.

The minimum criteria for this role are

You an experienced researcher with a broad toolkit, and you’re comfortable leading work even when it takes you beyond your own specialist expertise.
You can take a research question, design the right research and analysis approach, and confidently deliver complex mixed methods research from start to finish.
You are comfortable taking the lead on qualitative research design, and have the skills to support or even help colleagues improve their skills in questionnaire and discussion guide writing, moderating focus groups sand interviews.
You've successfully led large, multi-partner research programmes, balancing multiple workstreams, stakeholders, budgets and milestones while keeping delivery on track.
You know when to zoom into the detail and when to step back and see the bigger picture, making sound judgements about priorities, risks and what matters most.
You're passionate about turning evidence into impact, communicating findings through compelling publications, presentations and external engagement, and confidently representing an organisation in public forums and industry discussions.
You bring a strong research foundation, with a Masters or PhD or relevant real world experience, alongside the curiosity, collaboration and drive to find what works to build financial security low- and moderate-income households in the UK..

Don't worry if you think you don't have all the key skills, it might be worth taking the few minutes to apply as we're good at spotting potential. At Nest, you’ll have access to a range of learning opportunities to learn, grow and build the skills you need to be successful in your role and career.

Flexible and agile working

Everyone's personal situation is different.

To make the most out of hybrid working, we've introduced different ways of working, which include (subject to role requirements):

hybrid of office (Canary Wharf, London) and home working (there will be an expectation to attend the office, once - twice a week, or more, as required)
reduce or vary working hours
reduce or vary the days worked
work compressed hours
job share

Click here to see the benefits we offer at Nest.

For more information about our recruitment process click here

Directorate/Department Overview

About the Centre for Inclusive Money at Nest
Inclusive Money is a public-benefit research and innovation centre set up by Nest Corporation in 2016 to find ways to support low- and moderate-income workers to be financially secure, both today and into retirement.

We conduct rigorous, cutting-edge research, working collaboratively with industry and academic partners to understand the needs and behaviours of the new generation of savers created by the UK’s pensions auto enrolment system.

We also consider how self-employed workers and others at risk of missing out on pension saving can be brought in. We use our data-driven insights into this wide range of financial challenges to identify and test practical, real-world solutions.

Together our team of around 25 delivers an ambitious programme of research, publications and events, sharing best practice, both nationally and abroad. The team is passionate about the work we do and proud of what we are achieving. We are innovative thinkers, not afraid to challenge the status quo. We work flexibly, creatively and collaboratively. We are committed to supporting each other to learn and develop.

Our findings are shared widely and freely to help inform industry and policymakers so that people around the world can benefit from our work. We amplify our learnings and spark debate through our publications and digital media and by convening events that bring together industry, academics and policymakers.

The depth and breadth of our research garners attention. Our work is regularly covered by national media and financial trade outlets.

Whilst Inclusive Money is a business unit of Nest Corporation, we are responsible for raising our own operating budget through sponsorships, grants and in-kind support from organisations with similar research interests, goals and values.

By working in partnership with industry, academics, innovators and policymakers, and sharing our research widely and freely, we’re generating insights that could improve the retirement outcomes of millions of savers worldwide. With lots of exciting projects ongoing and in the pipeline, and plans to expand our reach significantly, this is an exciting time to join Inclusive Money.

Organisational Overview

Nest is an award-winning workplace pension scheme, the largest in the country.

Set up by the government to give every worker in the UK somewhere to save, our first-class responsible investment practice and governance are the backbone of what we do, supported by all the functions you’d expect to find in a thriving business. We’re committed to creating a workplace where you can be your authentic self and offer an inclusive and flexible working environment.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles and we particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and disabled candidates.

Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of their age, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, pregnancy or caring responsibilities, race, religion/belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio economic background.

We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought and other forms of neurocognitive variation.

Nest is a Disability Confident Leader, which is the highest level of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you have a disability, please declare that you’re applying through the scheme.

We aim to offer an interview to those applicants who apply through the Disability Confident Scheme and best meet the minimum criteria. However, there may be some circumstances where this is not possible due to the volume of applications.

Please note that this advert may close early if we receive a sufficient number of satisfactory applications.

If you have any difficulty in sending your application or need the application pack in an alternative format, or you require any reasonable adjustments please contact: [email protected].

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