Senior Research Analyst

Contractual hours: 35
Contract type: Permanent

The role and responsibilities

This role plays a vital part in strengthening how savers are protected and how the pensions system works by leading research that directly shapes TPR's decisions and long-term strategy. It involves designing and delivering high quality primary-research projects, using independent judgement to test hypotheses, analyse complex data-sets and fill evidence gaps. You will turn information into clear, reliable evidence that helps colleagues understand the pensions landscape and make better policy choices. A key part of the role is explaining findings to non-technical audiences, including senior leaders, so they can act on the insights you provide. You will manage high-profile projects and ensure all outputs meet Government Social Research standards. Collaboration is central: you will build strong relationships across TPR and with external partners, acting as a trusted adviser on where new evidence is needed and how it should be used.

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Thrives on turning complex questions into clear, evidence-based insights that help others make better decisions.
• Enjoys working collaboratively, building relationships and acting as a trusted partner to colleagues and external experts.
• Takes ownership of their work, is comfortable leading projects and brings sound judgement to ambiguous or multilayered problems.
• Communicates with clarity and confidence, especially when explaining technical findings to non-technical audiences.
• Can use independent judgement to determine appropriate research design relative to project objectives.

The role criteria

• Demonstrable experience of designing robust research studies, with proficiency in at least one of the following approaches: longitudinal, cross sectional, cohort or quasi experimental designs.
• Experience in commissioning and managing external research agencies, including effective contract management.
• Strong knowledge of probability and non probability sampling methods, and how to apply them appropriately.
• Expert proficiency in the application of quantitative and qualitative research data collection methodologies including survey design (both CATI, Web, IVR), in depth interviews and focus groups.
• Demonstrable experience of using survey software with complex routing, and analysing data using tools such as Excel or SPSS.
• Strong proficiency in analysing research data, including descriptive statistics, basic statistical testing (e.g. t tests, chi square), qualitative coding and data visualisation.
• Experience in communicating complex research findings clearly and accurately, translating insights into practical implications for the business.

The team The Strategy, Policy, and Analysis directorate plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the pensions market by developing a regulatory framework that enables market innovation, and for strategic development and implementation right across TPR. As our creative engine, it brings together strategy, policy, economics, external risk, and analysis, and user insights generated from our colleagues in Compliance & Enforcement Group and Market Oversight, as well as external sources, to evolve our regulatory framework and best direct our resources towards mitigating risks and delivering good saver outcomes. TPR offers:

• Genuine opportunities for learning and development.
• A values-led, inclusive environment.
• Hybrid working and flexible shift patterns.
• A vibrant workplace with employee networks (Disability, Family, LGBT+, Minority Ethnic, Mental Health, Women's).

Reward and benefits We offer 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, a hybrid working model, 35 hour working week (full-time), flexible working patterns, and flexitime. We also provide competitive parental leave, as well as a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Our dedicated benefits portal (Edenred) offers retail, gym, tech and restaurant discounts, and a cycle to work scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Our culture TPR strives to be a high-performing organisation, and we prioritise our people's growth and well-being. We offer various learning, secondment and development opportunities, support flexible working, and foster a diverse and inclusive environment. Equality, diversity and inclusion is very important to us and we strive to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our modern Brighton offices are in Telecom House overlooking Preston Park, they are over two floors of a shared building facility and when designed in 2023 we followed the government's workplace design guide to ensure accessibility by design was achieved for our section. We're proud to have a range of networks and opportunities to bring people together with supportive and safe spaces to connect with one another. About The Pensions Regulator With a career at TPR, you'll be joining an organisation with real purpose and who are proud of their diverse range of skills and experience that positively impact on millions of people. Everyone at TPR plays an important role in helping to keep more than £2trn of savings safe. Our Corporate Strategy outlines a bold and challenging vision of how pensions regulation should continue to evolve to keep pace with a change in the scale and nature of the pensions landscape. We believe diversity and inclusion are vital to good decision-making for positive saver outcomes. We're committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic work environment where everyone can thrive; understanding the link between the work we do and its positive impact on society. Find out more about us. Who to contact: Apply here

To avoid disappointment, we would invite you to submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can continue to provide a positive candidate experience, with each application being reviewed and considered. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Current TPR employees who want to apply for this vacancy should first contact their line manager to discuss their application.

We welcome applications on a part time and job share basis.

Selection and interview

If you are shortlisted for interview, we'll be in contact with you shortly after the closing date. We aim to respond to every application however due to the large volume of applications this is not always possible. If you have not heard from us within 21 days of submitting your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we're committed to the recruitment, employment, retention, and development of people with disabilities, and to improving their employment opportunities. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria will be an offered an interview. Please note that if we receive a high volume of Disability Confident applicants, we reserve the right to offer an interview to those who best meet the essential criteria.

Diversity and inclusion

TPR is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace, creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to be themselves, enabling our people to feel supported, represented and do their best work.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply for roles with TPR.

Further information

Please visit our website to find out what it is like to work at TPR, our culture, interview process and our commitment to our employees.

If you have any queries about this role, or if you have a disability and wish to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please email View email address on mrweb.com

Closing date: 27 May 2026. IMPORTANT - PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND EITHER YOUR RETURN E-MAIL ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER IN THE MESSAGE . Please say that you found the vacancy on MrWeb! Thanks for your interest.