Senior Policy Advisor - Research and Innovation Policy

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

The Senior Policy Advisor for Research and Innovation is a new role within the Science & Technology (S&T) policy team in the TBI's Policy and Politics division in London. The S&T policy team develops actionable solutions to help governments foster R&D and innovation, accelerate technology adoption, and govern emerging technologies. In doing so, we support political leaders worldwide in building the scientific, technological, and institutional capabilities needed to develop and maintain long-term prosperity and resilience.

Science and innovation are foundational to economic growth and prosperity. Effective research funding models, robust public research institutions, vibrant innovation ecosystems, and clear pathways from discovery to deployment are critical to ensuring that scientific and technological advances deliver broad public value.

The Senior Policy Advisor will lead the Institute’s work on research and innovation policy, helping to establish TBI as a credible and influential voice in how governments design, fund, and govern research and innovation systems in support of national priorities. This includes advancing TBI’s thinking on science policy and meta-science, AI for science, innovation ecosystems, and the role of research and innovation policy in enabling effective industrial strategy and the development of emerging and critical technologies. Key responsibilities will include developing and vetting policy proposals for science and innovation systems that can be debated and implemented by policymakers, and briefing TBI leadership and client governments on the future of science, innovation, and research.

This work will play a critical role in shaping the Institute’s position and thinking on research and innovation policy. Senior Policy Advisors are the most senior grade in TBI below the director level and are suited to individuals with significant experience in their field who can work with a high degree of autonomy. This role reports to the Director of Science & Technology Policy.

Please note that you must have an existing right to work in the United Kingdom to apply for this role.

Key Responsibilities

The holder of this position will:

• Lead a research programme to develop and advocate for effective research and innovation policy solutions that strengthen national science and innovation systems
• Produce high-quality published work and private briefing materials on research and innovation policy for a range of audiences, including political leaders, senior officials, thought leaders, and the wider public.
• Advance TBI’s thinking on science policy and meta-science, including research funding models, incentives, governance of public research institutions, and approaches to improving research quality, impact, and productivity.
• Provide direct advice to senior leaders within TBI, as well as to advisory teams and client governments globally, on the design and reform of research and innovation systems, including policies related to emerging and critical technologies.
• Represent the Institute externally by hosting roundtables and contributing to high-level discussions with governments, research institutions, innovation agencies, and other stakeholders, helping to grow TBI’s reputation and influence in research and innovation policy.
• Monitor global trends in science, research systems, innovation ecosystems, and emerging and critical technologies to identify the most pressing policy challenges political leaders are likely to face over the next 1–5 years.
• Expand TBI’s networks and build coalitions for change, including with research funders, universities, public research organisations, innovation agencies, technology developers, and like-minded policymakers and civil society organisations.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will be a forward-looking, innovative thinker who is keen to apply their deep, multidisciplinary skillset to develop radical but practical policy solutions. Given the wide remit of the role, the candidate should be adept at delivering high-quality work independently, getting up to speed quickly on new issues and be keen to explore new research and innovation policy areas. We are especially interested in candidates who are both technically gifted and able to think big.

The successful candidate will have:

• A sustained and extensive track record of producing cutting-edge work in research and innovation policy and governance within government, business, academia or a policy organisation
• A deep familiarity with contemporary research and innovation policy debates
• First-hand experience of working with political leaders or their teams to develop actionable solutions and drive real-world change
• An extensive and deep network of global contacts through industry, academia and policy making relevant to the position
• A track record of project management; be strategic, entrepreneurial, and challenge the status quo to develop plans for successfully delivering ambitious objectives
• Excellent teamwork skills to work successfully within a complex organisation and a policy area that spans a diverse set of high-level stakeholders from different communities
• A strong ability to communicate complex research and innovation policy issues, including to the TBI senior team, political leaders, partners from industry and academia, and the media

The following attributes are desirable:

• Experience of working closely with political leaders, with demonstrable impact
• Experience conducting and publishing highly impactful academic work on research and innovation policy
• Experience of working in different geographical and cultural contexts

Closing Date: