Policy Adviser

Policy Adviser

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
U

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Transform research into impactful policy insights and engage with policymakers.
  • Company: UCL's Policy Impact Unit, driving evidence-based policy change.
  • Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, on-site gym, and family-friendly policies.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of healthcare and engineering through innovative policy engagement.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in policy engagement.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

About us

Good policy is informed by good evidence. The Policy Impact Unit (PIU) collaborates with researchers in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences (FES) at UCL to design bespoke policy engagement strategies that have real impact. Using innovative and adaptive approaches, the PIU makes policy engagement accessible for researchers and increases the use of UCL research in the policymaking process.

About the role

The Policy Adviser will tease out the 'so what' from research projects and outputs, identifying key takeaways which will be of interest to policymakers or have policy implications. They will engage with policymakers in a proactive way, identifying windows of opportunity in the policy landscape, contributing to government consultations, ARI's and similar vehicles. They will produce relevant, high quality written outputs including policy briefs - and create opportunities for policy engagement including knowledge exchange events. The key policy focus for this role will be healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing, initial areas will include Engineering Biology, advanced healthcare solutions, and quantum technologies for healthcare.

About you

The successful applicant will be an excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing. They will have policy experience and a good understanding of the policy landscape, able to identify opportunities for policy engagement and act on them. They should be able to 'speak the language' of policymakers and be able to understand complex information. They should have experience designing engagement events, and a keen interest in working at the interface of academic and policy - as well as in healthcare, engineering or manufacturing.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are: 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days), Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE), Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan, On-Site nursery, On-site gym, Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay and Employee assistance programme.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, to being a place where we all belong and to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within UCL at this level.

Closing date for applications is midnight on 12 January 2026.

Policy Adviser employer: UCL

UCL's Policy Impact Unit is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovative policy engagement strategies are developed in collaboration with leading researchers. With generous benefits such as 41 days of holiday, a defined benefit pension scheme, and a commitment to equality and diversity, employees are supported in their professional growth while contributing to impactful healthcare and engineering policies. The inclusive culture and focus on employee well-being make UCL a rewarding place to advance your career.
U

Contact Detail:

UCL Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Policy Adviser

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the policy world! Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to policymakers on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!

✨Show Off Your Skills

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your communication skills and policy experience. We want to see how you can translate complex research into actionable insights for policymakers. Be ready to share examples of your past work!

✨Stay Informed

Keep up with the latest trends in healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing. We need someone who can spot opportunities in the policy landscape, so being well-informed will give you an edge. Read reports, follow relevant news, and engage in discussions!

✨Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Policy Adviser

Excellent Communication Skills
Policy Experience
Understanding of the Policy Landscape
Event Design and Management
Ability to Identify Policy Engagement Opportunities
Analytical Skills
Written Communication Skills
Knowledge Exchange Facilitation
Interest in Healthcare, Engineering, and Manufacturing
Ability to Understand Complex Information
Proactive Engagement with Policymakers
Experience in Producing Policy Briefs

Some tips for your application 🫡

Know Your Audience: When writing your application, remember that policymakers are your audience. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas, and make sure to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of a Policy Adviser.

Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; explain how they’ve prepared you for this position. Focus on specific examples where you've engaged with policymakers or contributed to policy development, especially in healthcare, engineering, or manufacturing.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for this role. Reference the key areas mentioned in the job description, like Engineering Biology or advanced healthcare solutions, to show that you understand the focus of the Policy Impact Unit.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at UCL

✨Know Your Policy Landscape

Before the interview, dive deep into the current policy landscape related to healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing. Familiarise yourself with recent developments and key players in these areas. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the role and demonstrate your proactive engagement with policymakers.

✨Craft Compelling Written Outputs

Since the role involves producing high-quality written outputs like policy briefs, prepare a few examples of your previous work that showcase your ability to distil complex information into clear, actionable insights. Bring these examples to the interview to illustrate your writing skills and understanding of what policymakers need.

✨Engagement Event Experience

Highlight any experience you have in designing and executing engagement events. Be ready to discuss specific events you've organised, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will show your practical understanding of creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, which is crucial for this role.

✨Speak Their Language

Practice articulating your thoughts in a way that resonates with policymakers. Use terminology and examples that reflect their priorities and concerns. This will not only demonstrate your communication skills but also your ability to bridge the gap between academia and policy, making you a strong candidate for the position.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>