Behavioural Scientist - Social Research (Associate Director)

Make Your Mark at Ipsos

Behavioural Scientist – Social Research (Associate Director Level)

Do you have strong experience and expertise in leading projects applying behavioural science frameworks for diagnosis (COM-B, TDF) and intervention design (BC Wheel, EAST) ? Experience in leading behavioural science qualitative research projects (e.g. assessing best qual methods, sampling frame, ethics, participants recruitment, analysis)? If yes then Ipsos Public Affairs has a unique career opportunity for you.

We are recruiting for a Behavioural Scientist at Associate Director level. You will need to be commercially minded person with a proven track record of leading and delivering behavioural insight projects through the full project cycle –including literature reviews, behavioural system mapping, mixed methods research, intervention design, development of Theory of Change, test-and-learn iterative approaches. We are seeking an expert with deep experience in applying insights to public sector challenges, gained within a market research agency, consulting or social research environment.

What is in it for you?

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to join a growing Behavioural science practice within Ipsos UK Public Affairs, reflecting the increasingly significant impact of behavioural science across public policy. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in expanding the application of behavioural science across the public and third sector.

This is not just a delivery role. You will be supported by the Head of Behavioural Science but will be given autonomy and leadership to develop your career.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead and deliver end to end Behavioural Science projects
• Apply your commercial skills by supporting business development activities
• Contribute and help shape the strategic direction of our offering.
• Apply you creative and innovative skills by contributing to the development of new tools, products and ways of working.
• Supporting internal behavioural science capability

The Role…

Key Responsibilities:

The focus of this role is on applying behavioural science to some of society’s most important challenges, including Net Zero, active travel, responsible AI adoption and misinformation.

As a senior member of the Behavioural Science Centre of Excellence, you will help shape the strategic direction of our offer, influence our thought leadership, and represent Ipsos externally through client engagement, proposals and presentations.

The role involves:

1. Leading behavioural science projects through the full project cycle –including literature reviews, behavioural system mapping, mixed methods research, intervention design, development of Theory of Change, test-and-learn iterative approaches. Ensuring projects are delivered to time, budget and highest quality standards.
2. Supporting business development, through building client relationships, identifying opportunities and leading proposal development to grow our behavioural science portfolio.
3. Generating innovative solutions through behavioural science, AI-enabled approaches and emerging research methods. Contributing to the development of new tools, products and ways of working.
4. Supporting internal behavioural science capability building, through training, thought leadership, and building internal networks to raise awareness among non-specialists. Supporting other teams’ project delivery via specialist advice and quality assurance.

About you:

Essential Criteria:

• Deep behavioural science expertise with experience applying insights to public sector challenges, gained within a consulting or social research environment.
• Experience leading projects applying behavioural science frameworks for diagnosis (COM-B, TDF) and intervention design (BC Wheel, EAST)
• Experience in leading behavioural science qualitative research projects (e.g. assessing best qual methods, sampling frame, ethics, participants recruitment, analysis).
• Proven track record of leading mixed methods research projects – we are open to both qual and quant specialism.
• Experience in leading proposal for UK public sector clients - Proven track record of leading successful business development opportunities for the UK public sector, coupled with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Proven track record of leading behavioural insight projects, delivering high-quality work to time and budget while managing multiple stakeholders and workstreams.
• Capacity to operate in a flexible and adaptable way given the competing demands of a fast-paced commercial environment.

Desirable Criteria:

• A degree in psychology or related subject – ideally Masters or PhD (but not essential). Relevant disciplines include behavioural economics, behavioural science, health psychology, social psychology, applied psychology, anthropology.
• Experience in working in a matrix environment / hub & spoke environment.
• Experience in developing new research approaches or using emerging technologies like AI to augment behavioural science methods.
• Experience of evaluation methods, including iterative approaches to intervention refinement and assessment.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you as an individual. Our standard benefits include 25 days annual leave, pension contribution, income protection and life assurance. In addition, there are a range health & wellbeing, financial benefits and professional development opportunities.

We have a hybrid approach to work and ask people to be in the office or with clients for 3 days per week. We appreciate you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications - please highlight what you are looking for when you make your application.

We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We recognise that this is important for our business success - a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme, certified as a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. We provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Your application will be reviewed by someone from our Talent Team who will be in touch either way to let you know the outcome.

Ready to have an impact? Apply now!