UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) recruit for both senior and public appointments. These include members of the UKRI Board, Executive Chairs, part-time office holders and all other senior roles across UKRI at Band X and Y (equivalent to Senior Civil Service).
We employ a strong focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring recruitment that is diverse, fair and open, creating equal opportunity at all times. Public appointments are ultimately made by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Chief Programme Officer, UKRI
- Closing date
- 1 May 2026 at 11:55pm UK time
- Salary
- Up to £174,000 plus bonus
- Hours
- Full time
- Contract type
- Open ended
The Chief Programme Officer is a newly created role and a key member of the Executive Committee. You will be responsible for transforming UKRI’s ability to deliver major programmes effectively, at pace and at scale.
You will also be responsible for bringing greater discipline, prioritisation and delivery rigour across a highly complex organisation. You will have delegated authority from the Chief Executive to take decisions on prioritisation, resourcing and sequencing across the organisation.
Apply for the Chief Programme Officer role on the Odgers careers website.
Chief Development Officer, UKRI
- Closing date
- 1 May 2026 at 11:55pm UK time
- Salary
- Up to £174,000 plus bonus
- Hours
- Full time
- Contract type
- Open ended
The Chief Development Officer is a newly created role and a key member of the Executive Committee. You will play a critical leadership role in transforming UKRI’s ability to convert world class research into national economic and societal benefit.
You will build the systems, capability and culture required to move UKRI from fragmented, reactive commercial activity to a coherent, strategic and impact driven development function.
Apply for the Chief Development Officer role on the Odgers careers website.
Director of Semiconductors, Connectivity and Cyber, Innovate UK
- Closing date
- 10 May 2026
- Salary
- £94,931 to £117,800 each year
- Contract type
- Open ended (permanent)
- Hours
- Full time
- Grade
- X
- Interview date
- Week commencing 1 June 2026
The Secure and Resilient Growth Directorate leads and manages Innovate UK’s programme for three of the UK government’s priority frontier technologies:
- advanced connectivity technologies
- semiconductors
- cybersecurity
There are substantial programmes in each but also a strategic imperative to create business growth opportunities by building a more integrated ecosystem across all three.
The role sits as part of the digital and technologies growth sector.
There will be opportunities to work closely with activities in quantum, artificial intelligence and engineering biology in an overarching programme worth around £2 billion over the next four years.
Read the Innovate UK Director of Semiconductors, Connectivity and Cyber candidate pack.
Apply for the Innovate UK Director of Semiconductors, Connectivity and Cyber role on the Workday website.
Chief Financial Officer – UKRI
- Closing date
- Sunday 7 June at 11:55pm
- Salary
- TBC
- Hours
- Full time
- Contract type
- Open ended (permanent)
- Interview date
- W/c 6 July 2026
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior strategic leader and principal adviser to the CEO and Board. As a principal decision-maker, the CFO provides organisation-wide leadership across UKRI’s finance, legal, digital and data, risk and assurance, and procurement and commercial functions. Alongside the CEO, the CFO is an executive member of the UKRI board.
The CFO is responsible for ensuring the organisation manages public money with strong governance, effective stewardship of public funds, and the highest standards of financial management, assurance and control. This includes providing strategic leadership on all aspects of public sector finance, ensuring that financial decisions are robust, evidence‑based, and aligned with government priorities and the organisation’s statutory responsibilities.
Read the Chief Financial Officer candidate pack (PDF 830 MB).
Apply for the Chief Financial Officer role on the UKRI website.
Last updated: 30 April 2026