Senior Research Lead

Please note, that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this post. To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

Who we are

Energy Saving Trust is a leading and trusted organisation, dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as we transition to net zero.

At Energy Saving Trust we don’t just offer jobs – we offer careers. For our people, being part of the effort to address the climate emergency makes working for us truly meaningful and rewarding.

Here are some of the benefits we offer:

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional leave earned through length of service
• Three extra days off over the Christmas period as a gesture of goodwill
• A competitive pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Flexibility in our ways of working – work from home, in the office, or a mix of both, depending on your role
• Two paid volunteering days per year – a chance to give back to the causes that matter most to you

Please see our careers page for the full list of benefits we have to offer and why Energy Saving Trust is a great place to work.

The team

You’ll join our International Energy Access team, primarily working on the multimillion-pound Efficiency for Access Coalition including the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme that aims to double the efficiency and halve the cost of off- and weak-grid appliances in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This programme is funded by UK aid, from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, and IKEA Foundation, and delivered by Energy Saving Trust in partnership with CLASP.

As part of the International Energy Access team, you’ll contribute to meaningful initiatives that have real-world impact on improving lives and livelihoods, while helping to address the climate emergency. This is an exciting opportunity to join a talented, dedicated and inclusive team to deliver this vital programme of work.

The role 

As Senior Research Lead, you’ll be responsible for Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Access research portfolio as part of the LEIA programme. You’ll shape and deliver our research strategy, manage and mentor the Energy Access research team, and build partnerships with leading organisations to produce high-quality research outputs.

What you’ll do 

• Lead the planning, delivery and reporting of our Energy Access research portfolio.
• Identify research gaps and emerging trends, ensuring alignment with user needs and funder priorities.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality research projects in partnership with academia, industry and consultants.
• Manage and mentor a small research team, supporting their development and performance.
• Build and maintain key relationships with partners, funders and stakeholders to expand our Energy Access research portfolio.  

What you’ll bring 

• Strong experience leading complex research projects using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Proven record of managing high-performing teams and delivering results on time and on budget.
• Experience and knowledge of the energy access sector.
• Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly.
• Strong leadership, organisational and stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative and proactive mindset.

For more information, please see the job description on our website.

Applications close at 23.59 on 21 November 2025. Interviews are intended to be held around 8-12 December.

To avoid disappointment, you are advised 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 manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Please click 'apply online' via our recruitment portal. We will ask for your personal details, work history and a supporting statement. Applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.

In your supporting statement please explain how you meet the essential areas in the job description. Applications submitted via email or without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Reasonable adjustments: We are a Disability Confident Committed employer. We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive of and accessible for, everyone.

If you think you may need additional support or reasonable adjustments made to any part of the recruitment process, please get in touch with [email protected] or call reception on +44 (0)20 7222 0101. We will do our very best to support you. 

Flexible working: We offer a range of flexible working arrangements, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements. There is no need to justify your preferred working pattern and we encourage our people to work in whichever way helps them to perform at their best.

We will be happy to discuss this and our blended working model at the interview stage with you.

Diversity and inclusion
Energy Saving Trust is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can be themselves, with support to be their best.

We strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply for roles with Energy Saving Trust.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and we ringfence a minimum number of interview slots for candidates who apply via the Disability Confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for a role. Find out more here.

You can find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.