Head of Research - Data & Analysis - Band B - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

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CTPHQ Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters
West Brompton
Band B
Full Time
36 hours per week
Permanent

Job Title: Head of Research - Data & Analysis - Band B - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

Salary: The starting salary is £59,839, which includes allowances totalling £2,928.

The salary is broken down as £56,911 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £69,342.  Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location: West Brompton


Job Summary

The Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters, on behalf of government and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), ensures that the CT network has the funding, capabilities and resources it needs to deliver CONTEST effectively and to keep people safe from terrorism. It does this through the provision of corporate services as well as national operational tasking and co-ordination. It houses unique national CT capabilities that support the entire network as well as overseeing delivery of CT Policing across the regions to ensure that it operates in a way that is both effective and efficient. Crucially, the HQ represents CT Policing’s interest within government and with wider stakeholders - ensuring that the policing contribution to CONTEST is both understood and appreciated.

Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) is revolutionising the way it uses data, analysis, research and technology. We have established a principal overarching strategy for Data and Analysis in CTP under a new Director. We are now creating a set of new functions and teams to develop advanced data and analytical capabilities and services to support the national CT Network. These functions report into the Director through four lead roles; Head of Data (Chief Data Officer), Head of Analysis, Head of Data Science and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

Job Description

The Head of Research is a senior role reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). The role will be responsible for driving scientific innovation and will contribute to the overall R&D strategy within CTP, based on operational requirements from CTP’s stakeholder communities. The role will deputise for the CSO on R&D innovation issues and will work with the CT Research laboratory team, and our Analysis and Data team members to ensure that CTP has the right research and technology approach to realise our aspirations in the use of scientific capability towards targeted operational innovation.

Job Purpose

Counter-Terrorism Policing is revolutionising the way it uses data, analysis and technology. We have established new strategies for Data & Analysis and for Information & Communications Technology. We are now creating this new Head of Research role to establish our wider research and innovation strategy and to set the direction for future development within the wider NS ecosystem.

The role will be responsible for setting direction and strategy for CTP R&D Research, with a clear implementation plan, performance metrics and governance structures. The role will work with the Chief Scientific Officer in building a new research and development function within the CTP HQ, to generate our requirements, sponsor innovation, access scientific advice and coordinate engagement with research communities.

Key Tasks

The post holder will be required to do the following:

  • Create and implement a CTP R&D research strategy. This will build upon the work already being done in building an S&T Problem Book, the S&T roadmap to achieve CTP’s mission objectives, and a strategy on a page. The post holder will develop and maintain a detailed strategy for R&D looking at short and longer-term research. The post holder will line manage Domain Leads and work closely with them to deliver this objective.
  • Work with the CSO to establish an overarching research and innovation framework to generate research requirements for the organisation. This task will involve maintaining constant engagement with CTP’s stakeholder community, collecting operational requirements, and maintaining a “live” version of the S&T Problem Book. This function will also involve collaborating and de-conflicting with other government partners, to make sure there is no duplication of effort and the commissioning of S&T is being handled in the most cost effective and collegiate manner.
  • Work with the CSO to form a central team including the Head of Innovation, Leads for S&T Strategy, Domain Experts, and Capability Integration Heads. The role holder will engage with HR functions, design the job description for building their team, and will attract a diverse range of individuals best suited for the role. They will also be key in the sifting and selection process of the candidates. Finally, they will have line management responsibility for the team. The role holder is expected to engage in authentic and inclusive leadership, and keep the team motivated and help with their personal development objectives.
  • Establish strategic coordination with UKIC, the NCA, the MPS, leads within the National Police Chiefs’ Council and regional CTP units. Establish technical partnerships with the Home Office, Dstl and other science and technology organisations. The S&T function established in CTPHQ is a collaborative network. This means accessing the right expertise, data sharing agreements, commercial frameworks, and managing the matrix of disperse collaborative entities to accomplish CTP’s S&T mission is vital. The role holder alongside the Head of Innovation will maintain close engagement with current and future S&T function’s collaborators and seek and encourage wider collaboration within the wider NS ecosystem. The role holder will work with our collaborators to (1) create research projects addressing CTP’s operational problems (2) identify the best routes to commission the research (3) govern the research projects and (4) identify the science-of-the-future that we should be engaging with to invest in anticipatory innovation.
  • Establish international relationships for science and technology collaboration. This must include access to research and technology agreements to enable sharing and joint projects. This involves fostering new collaboration opportunities government partners. The post holder will also explore other national and international avenues of collaboration.

Scope for Impact

The Head of Research has the scope for significant impact. The role will be at the core of a new scientific and technical capability in CTP, linked to partner capabilities across HMG. This role will transform our approach to research-led innovation, revolutionise our relationships with industry and academia and ultimately ensure that CTP and its partners maintain critical operational edge against our adversaries. This will be absolutely central to our commitment to outpace the rapidly changing threat environment. The role will also be at the core of a new generation of inter-agency collaboration on technical capability across the national security and law enforcement community.

This role has been identified by Directors and CSO as a game-changing function to enhance kick start and enable Innovation capability within CTP.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post.

This post requires British nationality (some dual nationals may be ineligible) and an Enhanced Security Check (eSC)/Developed Vetting (DV)] clearance. 

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process.  Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Confidentiality Agreement 

Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.

Our Employee Commitments

Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of “Working to keep people safe from Terrorism”.

Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and centre of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve.  As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations’.

Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working or job share. In addition, this role has been reviewed following learning from work during the Covid pandemic and may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact the vacancy holder to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated (where applicable). 

How to apply

To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply now" button below. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 27th October 2025.

Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence 2 weeks after the closing date.

Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence 2 weeks after hiring manager review.

www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Key Skills

This is an exciting and challenging role, and enables the post holder to be at the core of the new R&D function being established at CTP.

Knowledge

  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or equivalent experience/qualifications, with strong skills in one or more of the following areas: materials science, engineering, physical sciences, or a related discipline.
  • A deep understanding of research methods and experimental controls and has experience in critical evaluation and analysis.
  • Advanced understanding of research to innovation pathways and the ability to see the bigger, organisational wide picture.
  • Experience in stakeholder management and the ability to translate end user needs into R&D requirements.
  • Deep understanding of the UK and international scientific and technical community, including familiarity with research collaboration and transfer agreements/protocols.
  • Confidence to lead the development and delivery of R&D activities for long term capability development across disciplines.

Skills

  • Strategic vision: The post-holder will create and own the overarching R&D research strategy within CTP. This will require advanced technical analysis skills, deep understanding of research and technology domains and the ability to effectively deal with CTP’s stakeholder community to gather and translate operational requirements into R&D activities.
  • Negotiation and Influence: The post-holder will need to engage with and influence senior leaders in the CTP Network. This includes the Chief Scientific Officer, Head of Data, Head of Data Science and Head of Analysis.
  • Technical leadership: Expert skills in deriving non-technical ‘mission’ or outcome-driven business requirements and translation to a clear and actionable scientific and technical research and development plan.
  • Leadership and management: The post-holder must assist the CSO in building a high-performing R&D team, which will be entirely new in CTP.
  • Technical Partnering: The post-holder will need a solid understanding of leading and executing R&D projects through various contracting frameworks used by CTP and in Other Government Departments.

Other experience

  • Proficiency in delivering high quality R&D and proven track record of scientific, engineering or physical/analytical sciences output.
  • Ability to perform well under pressure in interdisciplinary fast-pacing environments.
  • Demonstrable experience of creating a strategic vision, formulating strategy and initiating policy or programme delivery, with effective performance monitoring, control and oversight.
  • A proven record of building, motivating and leading high performance teams against a complex and challenging corporate agenda delivering quality outcomes to meet strategic objectives
  • Ability to forecast and manage research risk in trialling new ideas, translating insights into actions and communicating research output to non-experts.
  • Ability to understand, explain and navigate ethical issues in relation to science and technology within the policing and national security domains.

Desirables

  • Doctoral or post-doctoral work in the physical sciences arena where research was applied in an operational context.
  • Experience in national security, defence or law enforcement is desirable.
  • Has a good understanding of one or more of the following areas: ceramics, adhesives, coatings, metals, polymers, composites, materials’ characterisation methods, ageing of materials, functional materials, quantum materials, microscopy.
  • Experience of influencing senior leaders and officials across Whitehall and ideally internationally to realise organisational, joint and national objectives.
  • Experience with academic research (publications and/or awarded grands) and delivery to innovation (patents).
  • Membership of a relevant engineering institution and evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
English
Band A
The following competencies will be tested against during sift:
  • We are innovative and open-minded at level 3
  • We take ownership at level 3
  • We collaborate at level 3
The following values will be tested against during sift:
  • Respect 
  • Integrity 
Disability Confident Statement 

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.

Please note, if you are applying for a police officer role or to become a police community support officer (PCSO) or designated detention officer (DDO), there is a minimum requirement that you must pass a job-related fitness test (JRFT) at point of entry. This does not apply to police staff roles. Find out more about police fitness standards.

Read our full disability confidence statement.


This opportunity is closed to applications.