future observatory head of research programme

future observatory head of research programme

The Design Museum Closing date: Sun, 25 Oct 2026

Artform: Museums
Role: Research
Contract: Contract
London

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

Future Observatory is the national design research programme for the green transition at the Design Museum. We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Head of Research Programme to lead our AHRC-funded research portfolio and support the continued growth of this ambitious national programme.

Job Description

Reporting to the Future Observatory Director, you will lead the research programme, liaising with grantees and organising internal events such as roundtables and research forums. You will act as the operational lead for the programme, overseeing budgets, timelines, reporting and stakeholder engagement.

Working with researchers, industry leaders, government representatives and funding partners, you will help deliver Future Observatory's research strategy while supporting its long-term sustainability through grant writing and fundraising activity.

Key areas of focus include:
- Acting as the coordinating lead for an extensive AHRC-funded research portfolio.
- Overseeing programme budgets, reporting, monitoring, evaluation and risk management.
- Managing relationships with researchers, AHRC representatives and programme stakeholders.
- Leading grant-writing and fundraising opportunities to support the programme's long-term viability.
- Line managing the Programme Manager, Community Manager and Coordinator, and ensuring operational coordination across the research portfolio.

Job Requirements

We are looking for someone who brings:

- Significant experience of research portfolio management in a higher education institution or equivalent environment, such as museums or Independent Research Organisation institutions.
- Experience reporting on the expenditure of public funds in a research-based or academic context, or as part of a funded programme.
- Experience of working collaboratively to report and evaluate against established KPIs.
- Excellent communication skills, suitable for building relationships and liaising with multiple principal investigators, researchers and members of institutional and partner organisations.
- Knowledge of the methods and practical application of research activities such as roundtables, forums, design crits, sprints and delivery meetings.

The complete job description (including the person specification) is available to download on the Careers Portal Vacancy Listing.

Job Responsibilities

Terms and Conditions

Salary: up to £50,000 per annum

Holidays: 25 days + Christmas Eve (museum closed)

Hours: 35 hours per week / Monday to Friday

Contract: Fixed term, until 31 March 2028

Location: the Design Museum Kensington is the place of work, with a hybrid arrangement of 60% of an employee's role to be performed at the museum and 40% remote.

Closing date: Sunday 25 October, midnight

Interviews: Wednesday 04 November

Useful Links

Job Overview

  • Job Title: future observatory head of research programme
  • Salary: £40k-£50k
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Museums
  • Role: Research
  • Contract: Contract
  • Closing date: Sun, 25 Oct 2026
  • Location:
    London
    | view on Google Maps

Job: future observatory head of research programme

Job: future observatory head of research programme

Organisation: The Design Museum

Postcode: W8 6AG

How to Apply

For more information on the job description and person specification, please follow the link: https://careers.designmuseum.org/vacancies

Please note, we can only accept applications made via our online recruitment portal - click link to be directed.

If you encounter any issues while attempting to apply, please email [email protected] before the vacancy post closing date. We will be in touch as soon as possible; (please note the inbox is monitored Monday-Friday).