Senior Policy Advisor - Emerging Technology and Geopolitics in London

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 Emerging Technology and Geopolitics is based within the Science & Technology (S&T) Policy team in TBI’s Policy and Politics division in London. The S&T Policy team develops actionable solutions for how governments can foster R&D and innovation, accelerate technology adoption, and govern emerging technologies. In doing so, we help political leaders across the world harness the power of technology in ways that advance national priorities, security, and international influence.

Power and security are increasingly shaped, influenced, and defined by technology. Advances in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, space technologies, and cyber capabilities are reshaping geopolitical dynamics and altering how states compete, cooperate, and exert influence. Around the world, leaders are developing strategies to improve their own technological competitiveness and navigate a rapidly changing tech-enabled geopolitical order.

The Senior Policy Advisor will lead the Institute’s work at the intersection of emerging technologies and geopolitics, helping to establish and grow TBI’s influential voice on how governments should navigate technological competition, strategic dependencies, and global power shifts. The role will involve advancing TBI’s thinking on the geopolitical implications of emerging and critical technologies and translating complex technical and geopolitical developments into clear, actionable advice for senior political audiences.

The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in emerging technologies and geopolitics, with experience engaging directly in foreign policy, national security, or technology policy debates. They will be comfortable operating at a high level of autonomy and working closely with political leaders and their teams.

Senior Policy Advisors are the most senior grade in TBI below Director level and are suited to individuals with significant experience in their field who can operate with a high degree of independence. 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

• Lead a research programme on emerging technologies and geopolitics, examining how technological change is reshaping global power, security, and international competition.
• Produce high-quality published work and private briefing materials on emerging technology and geopolitics for a range of audiences, including political leaders, senior officials, thought leaders, and the wider public.
• Advance TBI’s thinking on the geopolitical and security implications of emerging and critical technologies, including strategic competition, technological dependencies, supply chains, standards-setting, and international coordination among allies and partners.
• Provide direct advice to senior leaders within TBI, as well as to advisory teams and client governments globally, on geopolitical and strategic technology issues, including how governments can respond to technological competition and manage geopolitical risk.
• Represent the Institute externally by hosting roundtables and contributing to high-level discussions with governments, foreign policy and security communities, technology experts, and international partners, helping to grow TBI’s reputation and influence in emerging technology and geopolitics.
• Monitor global trends in emerging and critical technologies, geopolitical competition, and international security to identify the most pressing challenges political leaders are likely to face over the next 1–5 years.
• Expand TBI’s networks and build coalitions for change, including with foreign policy institutions, security stakeholders, technology experts, allied governments, and like-minded policymakers and civil society organisations.
• Contribute to the growth and development of a high-performing culture, with a continued focus on leadership, professional development, and employee wellbeing.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will be a forward-looking, innovative thinker who is keen to apply their deep, multidisciplinary skill set to develop radical yet practical policy solutions. Given the wide remit of the role, the candidate should be adept at delivering high-quality work independently and getting up to speed quickly on new issues in the relevant 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 high-quality work on emerging technologies and geopolitics, including within government, foreign policy or security institutions, academia, industry, or a policy organisation.
• Deep familiarity with contemporary debates on technology competition, geopolitical risk, national security, and the global governance of emerging and critical technologies.
• First-hand experience working with political leaders or their teams to develop actionable policy solutions and drive real-world change in complex geopolitical or security contexts.
• An extensive and well-developed global network of contacts across foreign policy, national security, technology, and government, relevant to the position.
• A strong track record of project management, with the ability to think strategically, act entrepreneurially, and challenge the status quo to deliver ambitious objectives in fast-moving policy environments.
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to operate effectively within a complex organisation and across a diverse set of high-level stakeholders from different policy, technical, and geopolitical communities.
• A strong ability to communicate complex technological and geopolitical issues clearly and persuasively, including to the TBI senior team, political leaders, partners, 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 emerging technology, international relations, or national security research and innovation policy areas.
• Experience of working in different geographical and cultural contexts.