Research Challenges Lead
About Arup
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. Working in more than 140 countries, the firm’s designers, engineers, architects, planners, consultants, and technical specialists work with our clients on innovative projects of the highest quality and impact. As a wholly independent organisation, we are owned in trust for the benefit of our employees and their dependants: with no shareholders or external investors we determine our own business priorities and direction.
About Arup University
Arup University sits at the heart of our firm and is dedicated to expanding our knowledge, strengthening our collective capabilities, and accelerating our progress towards a sustainable future. Established in 2009, Arup University is home to the firm’s strategic foresight capability, applied research and innovation programmes, as well as our communities of experts working to develop our skills and capability to better meet the needs of our clients and drive continuous innovation across the firm.
Arup University works to raise standards across our industry, on issues spanning health and safety, technical advancements, sustainability, and social value. We believe in a better future for all, and we are committed to achieving it. Our pursuit of excellence keeps Arup at the forefront of our industry and helps us to challenge the status quo.
Every member of Arup has the freedom to do research, pursue new ideas and harness our collective imagination. This includes developing specific solutions for our clients, the generation of new knowledge, and the exploration of longer-term trends and drivers. Each year, we invest in research in partnership with others to push the boundaries of our industry and to develop solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems. Research drives our culture of innovation and curiosity across regions and markets.
Is the Role Right for You?
In this role, you will be responsible for leading Arup Challenge-led Research Programme that addresses defined ‘research challenges’ - real-world, big, bold, and complex client, societal, and environmental problems. We currently have three research challenges aligned to our Water, Energy and SIT (Science, Industry and Technology) businesses. No single discipline can solve these alone. Diverse disciplines must be brought together and their collaboration facilitated to develop integrated, practical, and scalable solutions. It also requires partnerships - working closely with our clients, universities, and governments to drive meaningful societal impact.
You will lead and have oversight of teams delivering the three research challenges and be directly involved yourself in their delivery. The role will steer the governance and strategic direction of the challenges, with input from steering committees. You will lead the delivery of exciting and engaging activities for Arup members globally to contribute to the challenge research programme, including ideation, brokering new internal and external collaborations, project creation and delivery, through to monitoring and evaluating value outcomes and impacts.
You will collaborate with a wide range of internal stakeholders to deliver the research challenges. Arup research programme overall is substantial in scale, encompassing approximately 200 projects each year and involving close to 200 external collaborators globally, with a growing number of these projects anticipated to be part of the challenge programme.
Responsibilities
Own and refine governance arrangements for the Research challenge programme including terms of reference for the respective steering committees and ensuring alignment with overall Arup Strategy.
Lead the design and delivery of member engagement events and activities focused on the research challenges, including information and awareness raising events and facilitated ideation workshops.
Lead analysis of past and ongoing research investments to baseline clusters of knowledge and expertise in line with the challenges.
Facilitate engagement with business leadership, client relationship teams and discipline experts to diagnose and prioritise research needs aligned with the research challenges.
Contribute to horizon scanning exercises to identify potential collaborators, aligned with research challenges and Arup’s broader research priorities.
Contribute to the production of shared resources, training and communications to support researchers, including guidance on preferred modes and mechanisms for effective collaboration.
Contribute to the design of monitoring and evaluation processes to capture value from research challenges, together with reporting that is tailored to different internal and external audiences.
Skills and experience
Experience leading the development and delivery of research portfolios in large complex organisations, preferably around mission- or challenge-based research.
Extensive experience facilitating and driving research ideation and brokering new relationships, with a strong understanding of co-creation and collaborative design principles.
Exceptional interpersonal skills to establish productive working relationships and networks with stakeholders at all levels of seniority across large global organisations.
Ability to translate complex data and insights into clear, actionable recommendations with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to provide advice, training, and practical support to researchers (ideally in an industry setting) to increase value and impact of their research.
Proven ability to lead a small team.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (or equivalent experience); postgraduate qualification desirable.
What We Offer you
At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.
Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.
We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.
We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.
Different People, Shared Values
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.
Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.
We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Rhian Melaney at rhian.melaney@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.
Our Application Process
To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/
Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.
Recruitment Agencies
We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.
Closing Date 24th October 2025 - We may close the role earlier than the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications, so please ensure you apply early.