Policy Adviser

The Royal Society is looking for an enthusiastic person to join us as a Policy Adviser in its Science Policy Section, to work initially within the People and Plant team. The Policy Section works on policy topics that cut across policy-related science and the scientific ecosystem, including the opportunity to impact policy decisions relating to human flourishing within the constraints of the natural environment.

Working with some of the UK's leading scientists, the successful applicant will be a part of a friendly and highly visible team within the Society. Initially, your role will involve working with a Senior Policy Adviser on projects relating to the environment. Possible topics for this programme include the future of food systems, how to ensure that nature-based solutions to climate change deliver as much for nature as they do for climate, and how we can improve resilience to extreme weather-related events.

We are seeking an efficient and motivated person with experience of engaging policy stakeholders at all levels of seniority. A demonstrable agility across policy themes, whether through prior experience or a clear willingness and interest to develop in new areas is favourable in candidates.

You will have experience of successfully undertaking policy, academic or social research and analysis, drafting reports, and managing events and projects, being able to clearly meet the needs of different audiences. The successful candidate is expected to be a team player. An ability to quickly grasp emerging national policy developments is important for this role. The successful candidate will also contribute to the overall development of the wider Science Policy team and the delivery of its objectives.

You will be expected to work closely with staff, the Society's Fellows and Foreign Members, and others to develop and promote independent, expert and timely advice to UK, European and international decisionmakers.

We typically undertake the following activities, on topics that reflect the Society's priorities:

• Projects: Analysing the scientific evidence relating to major policy issues in collaboration with other experts.

Reports & publications: Producing reports, statements, consultation responses and other publications on a regular basis.

Events: Bringing together policymakers, academics, businesses and NGOs to discuss current topics in science policy.

In addition to working on the environment programme, the successful applicant will be expected to support the work of the wider team and Science Policy section. Working under the guidance of a Senior Policy Adviser, you will also contribute to the overall development and delivery of the objectives of the People and Planet team, as well as the wider Science Policy directorate.

The Royal Society

The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world's most distinguished scientists. Our fundamental purpose, reflected in our founding charters of the 1660s, is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage its development and use for the benefit of humanity. We are the world's oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

Providing scientific advice to shape policy and the wider public debate is one of the Society's strategic priorities. Our work in the Science Policy directorate focuses on global challenges such as pandemic responses, climate change, and energy, food, and water security. We make the case for strengthening investment in research and innovation and developing STEM education, and we set out the potential for

Reports to: Senior Policy Adviser, People and Planet

Pay Band: C

Salary: £36,300 - £42,000

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG

Closing date for applications: Monday 25 May 2026

Interviews will be held: 15/16 June 2026

We reserve the right to close the role early should a sufficient number of suitable applications.

Key responsibilities and tasks

Delivering projects within the People and Planet team under the supervision of a Senior Policy Adviser.

Leading and coordinating a particular area of the Society's policy work, including managing finances and using appropriate tools to help delivery.

Keeping up to date with science and policy developments in the UK, Devolved Administrations and globally and able to spot opportunities for deployment of that knowledge.

Working within the Royal Society's governance systems to create, plan and deliver programmes.

Managing projects, ensuring agreed activities are delivered on time, on budget and within the desired scope.

Drafting and editing policy reports, briefs and other written outputs.

Organising meetings and events, liaising with the Society's internal conferencing and events teams.

Using analytical skills to critically assess difference forms of evidence, including quantitative and qualitative data.

Undertaking horizon scanning and using other futures techniques to create forward-looking policy.

Building effective working relationships with colleagues and Fellows.

Creating national and international networks of contacts with policymakers, scientists and other stakeholders across different levels of seniority.

Representing the Society and its policy positions in meetings with government, policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders.

Undertaking Other Reasonable Activities As Required.

Key knowledge and skills required

Experience/abilities

Able to convey complex scientific, technical and policy-related ideas effectively - Essential

Skilled oral and written policy communication for a range of audiences - Essential

Effective interaction with people at all levels of seniority - Essential

Able to prioritise and manage more than one set of tasks simultaneously - Essential

Excellent management of time and workload to meet tight deadlines - Essential

An enthusiastic team player, with experience of collaborative working - Essential

Creative thinking and problem solving - Essential

Establishing and maintaining influential networks - Essential

Preparing minutes from meetings - Essential

Computer literacy (proficient in all Microsoft packages including Word, PowerPoint and Excel) - Essential

Managing or running projects on budget and within the desired scope - Desirable

A good understanding of science policy - Desirable

Organisations of events, workshops, or meetings - Desirable

Working with committees - Desirable

Circumstances

Able to be flexible about working hours on occasions - Essential

Able to undertake national and/or international travel on occasions - Essential

Royal Society competencies

Self-management

Works unsupervised and can motivate self

Produces results under pressure

Can manage in stressful situations

Pushes for the best results

Can be innovative and offer solutions and suggestions when not initially obvious

Keen to be involved in organisational and corporate working groups informally or formally

Can represent section on some duties

Works within the Royal Society Values at all times

Working with others

Contributes ideas and identifies opportunities to work with others both within the team and across the organisation

Willing to provide and accept feedback to and from sectional colleagues when requested

Produces succinct presentations and papers for senior colleagues, is a capable presenter and can explain topics and projects to a range of audiences

Understands when to seek senior advice on a wide range of matters and act upon it.

Resource management

Makes the best of internal/external resources and coordinates well with external partners to best meet the needs of the Society<

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Builds contingency into projects taking into account possible outside factors

Sets and monitors performance against quality and results orientated targets.

Focuses on both short and long-term goals

Critical thinking

Determines and clarifies the exact requirements of any situation

Checks information for accuracy and raises concerns if information is inaccurate

Extracts the key points succinctly, clearly and accurately

Puts forward suggestions for improvement concerning current processes or systems

Tries different ways of doing things to get the best results

Adaptability

Overcomes obstacles and is not deterred by setbacks; checks assumptions and first principles and works out alternative approaches

Reacts proactively to new challenges and works in a flexible manner to produce solutions

Provides feedback and participates in discussions surrounding new ideas approaches or projects

Managing people and relationships

Can delegates effectively if needed setting clear expectations and authority

May line manage or supervise others

Monitors results and feedback to own team on a regular basis constructively

Recognises others' contributions and acknowledges their strengths and limitations

Helps others to identify ways to improve their performance and encourages learning from others in the team

Prioritises supervisory responsibilities and carries them out in line with organisational policies

Understands and can identify client/stakeholder/staff needs and looks for opportunities to improve their experiences