Specialist Policy Officer (Faculty of Medicine)

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a part-time Policy Engagement Support specialist to work within a diverse team. The role involves facilitating connections between researchers and policymakers, requiring strong influencing skills and a background in public affairs. Candidates with knowledge in health sciences will excel in this position. The role offers flexible working arrangements and generous holiday entitlements.

Benefits

Generous holiday allocation (30 days pro rata)

Pension auto-enrolment

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Adept at engaging with policymakers and senior leaders in government.
• Experience in civil service or parliamentary support roles.
• Understanding of health care sciences and developmental sciences.

Responsibilities

• Support academics in policy engagement.
• Build connections with policymakers.
• Work closely with faculty leadership.

Skills

Influencing senior decision makers

Engaging with parliamentarians

Knowledge of cancer sciences

Background in public affairs

Job description

Organisation/Company UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON Research Field Educational sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 10 Dec 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Part-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer 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 [e-mail] to arrange a time to speak.

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