Policy Officer - Cambridge

We're seeking a Policy Officer to join our Policy and Evidence team starting from 1 November 2026. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong skills in researching, interpreting, and analysing data, and a genuine curiosity about what evidence can reveal, to help drive impactful policy work. As Policy Officer, you will also play a central role in the smooth running of the Policy and Evidence team, while also contributing to the development of policy positions and evidence-based communications.

You'll carry out research, data analysis, and administrative support to the team, alongside coordination across its activities. The role also offers opportunities to get directly involved in policy work, for example, analysing data sets to help shape policy positions and approaches to delivering our corporate net zero ambitions. The role will involve limited UK travel (for example to support events in London and Cambridge) as well as very occasional evening work (to attend/support policy events e.g. in Parliament). At the RSC we embrace flexibility and offer hybrid working, which means our teams come together when they need to collaborate. In this role, it is expected that you will attend our Cambridge office 2 days per week. If you require flexible working arrangements, please detail this in your application.

Accountabilities

• Research and data analysis: Support external policy work and corporate Net Zero reporting through desk research and data collection and analysis.
• Network management: Analysis and database maintenance needed to support work with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, acting as Data Ambassador.
• Team coordination: Organise team meetings and awaydays, support internal working groups and the external engagement group for UN work. Support the Head of Policy where needed by representing the team's needs in straightforward business change projects, coordinating the efforts of a range of different people.
• Event management: Support the planning and organisation of policy-related events, coordinate speaker liaison, event communications, and content development.
• Information management: Manage the team's information systems, enabling them to evolve to make the best use of large language models and ensure compliance with information management protocols.
• Communication: Support the development and communication of policy positions, briefings, and messaging including the development and delivery of internal and external communications.
• Policy: Contribute to high-quality, evidence-based outputs including case studies, consultation responses, reports, and digital content through research and data analysis.
• Finance: Work with the Head of Policy to monitor budgets and ensure financial processes are followed.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Degree, degree apprenticeship or equivalent experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Economics or Statistics.
• Strong research skills and ability to seek, critically interrogate and communicate quantitative and qualitative data.
• Strong Excel skills and ability to use data visualisation tools, e.g. PowerBI.
• Effective written and strong verbal communication skills across a range of audiences and formats.
• Track record of building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to solve problems and get things done.
• Competence in MS Office software, ability to learn new systems quickly and apply them to your work, to look after and share information and to support others to learn to do so.
• Excellent organisational skills, initiative and attention to detail, with the ability to manage own workload and meet deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience planning and delivering meetings and events.
• Knowledge of science - a chemistry background (degree, degree apprenticeship or equivalent) is desirable.
• Familiarity with key public data sets about science, research, universities, further education and skills.

If you are interested in this role, please apply before the end of the closing date. When applying, you will need to provide an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement (in no more than 500 words) telling us how you meet the essential skills and knowledge criteria.

Benefits

We promote a healthy work/life balance and flexible working options. Our benefits package includes:

• 26 days paid holiday per annum plus bank holidays.
• Pension plan with up to 12% employer contributions (depending upon your contribution).
• Life assurance at 3 times basic annual salary.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Paid volunteering days.

At the RSC, we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce and welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds to apply. We particularly encourage applications from disabled and ethnic minority candidates. As a part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we endeavour, where possible, to offer an interview to candidates meeting the essential criteria of the role, who have a substantial physical/mental impairment which impacts their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. We are committed to making our recruitment processes accessible to all and as part of this, we are flexible in the ways we give and receive information.