Specialist Policy Officer (Faculty of Medicine)

University of Southampton; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading research-intensive university in the UK is seeking a part-time policy engagement support specialist. The role focuses on building connections between academics and policymakers to address community challenges, requiring skills in influencing decision-makers and engaging with parliamentarians. Knowledge of cancer and primary care sciences is advantageous. This part-time position (21 hours a week) is fixed term until 31st July 2026 with potential for extension, offering competitive benefits including 30 days holiday (pro rata) and pension enrolment.

Benefits

Pension auto-enrolment

30 days holiday (pro rata)

Generous university closure/public holidays

Qualifications

• Capability to support a broad range of subject areas.
• Experience in local or national government or parliamentary support.
• A track record of engaging with decision makers.

Responsibilities

• Support colleagues in diverse disciplines at the faculty.
• Engage with policy actors to tackle community challenges.
• Facilitate connections between researchers and policymakers.

Skills

Influencing senior decision makers

Engaging with parliamentarians

Knowledge of cancer sciences

Knowledge of primary care

Public affairs background

Job description

This role is an opportunity to join a diverse, creative and agile team at the heart of a research intensive, Russell Group university. Our mission is to ‘enhance the public policy impact of research conducted at the University of Southampton’. In practice this means building connections and capacity for academics and policymakers to engage in mutually beneficial dialogue to address the challenges our communities face. Our work spans across all faculties and disciplines at the University of Southampton and includes engaging with policy actors ranging from local councillors through to the United Nations.

This role has been designed to meet increased demand for policy engagement support from our globally renowned researchers in the faculty of Medicine. The successful candidate will be capable of moving between a broad range of subject areas to support colleagues a diverse range of disciplines. They will be adept at influencing senior decision makers within government with a track record of engaging with parliamentarians in their role of scrutinising the executive. Candidates with knowledge of provision of cancer sciences, developmental sciences, primary care and health care sciences will be well positioned to excel in this position. This role is well suited to those with a background in public affairs (particularly for third sector organisations), local or national government or parliamentary support (i.e. civil servants, MP staffers, POST or Select Committee support staff). This role will work closely with senior leadership within the faculty and across the University. As a hybrid team we have an expectation of part time team members being on campus at least one day a week.

We strongly encourage applicants from groups traditionally under-represented in the UK higher education sector (you can find out more about our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion action plan here). We actively encourage applicants seeking flexible working/job share employment to accommodate caring/volunteering/educational commitments. The role is offered as part time (21 hours a week) on a fixed term basis with pension auto‑enrolment to the Universities Superannuation Scheme and generous holiday allocation of 30 days (pro rata) plus 14 University closure/public holidays. This role is initially offered as a fixed term basis until 31st July 2026 with an ambition that, should funding be agreed, the position would be extended.

If you have questions about the public policy ‘impact agenda’, the PPS team or the role – please contact Gareth Giles, Head of PPS via [e-mail] to arrange a time to speak.

Working at the University of Southampton

Check out the staff benefits and why you should join us at The University of Southampton

Further details

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.

Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date via the ‘Apply’ button above.

For assistance contact Recruitment on [phone] or [e-mail] quoting the job number.

£36,636 to £44,746 pro rata per annum