Policy Advisor

The Royal Society of Chemistry has a great role for a Policy Advisor to join us on a permanent full-time basis. This is an opportunity to work on a range of different, topical UK and international science policy issues, to further chemistry and the chemical sciences for the good of humanity.

As Policy Advisor, you will report to our Manager, Policy and Evidence, and will work in close partnership with colleagues across the organisation and in other science organisations. You will be part of our team responsible for preparing convincing cases to influence decision makers in areas that affect the chemical sciences, responding in an agile way to relevant emerging issues. This is an opportunity to work on some of the hottest topics such as EU exit, immigration, education, science and infrastructure funding, energy and climate change, and SME growth. You will work in a supportive team, engaging with our extensive network of chemists, developing and communicating an understanding of policy areas impacting the chemical sciences and you will lead and contribute to a range of consultation responses ‘think pieces’, events and reports.

The Royal Society of Chemistry is a not-for-profit organisation with a thriving international community of over 52,000 members in 125 countries and employing around 550 staff. We are an internationally renowned publisher of high quality chemical science knowledge and the professional body for chemists in the UK, with a reputation as an influential champion for the chemical sciences.

We have strong links with the people teaching and practising chemistry in schools, colleges, universities and industry. We are the biggest non-governmental investor in chemistry education in the UK and are a powerful advocate for the chemical sciences at government level, influencing science, education and innovation policy.

Our science policy activities cover issues that affect chemistry research and innovation and areas such as regulation and environment where it is crucial that policy is informed by scientific evidence.

We are looking for someone who understands how the UK Government, European Union and other key decision-makers develop policies affecting science and the practice of chemistry. We will support your development and reward your contribution with competitive benefits, including a 35-hour week, excellent training, employee empowerment and the chance to make a positive difference to society.

Based in our Cambridge office, you will frequently spend time in our London office, with UK travel and occasional weekend and evening work required and scope for flexible working (particularly around start and finish times) to meet business needs.

If you are collaborative, have excellent oral and written communication skills, thrive in a fast-paced environment, quickly grasp both the big picture and the detail of a range of science policy issues affecting chemistry (e.g. immigration, research funding, ethics) and respond to new problems by collaborating with others to solve them, we would love to hear from you.

Interviews will be held in Cambridge from 26 to 31 July 2018. 

Please click here to view the full job description.