Research and Policy Lead (Experimental Governance)

• Contract: 1 year fixed term contract. Secondments considered.
• Hours: Full time (35 hours per week).
• Location: We are London based (Farringdon). Our staff have the option to work from home 2 days per week.
• Closing: 09:30am (BST), Tuesday 7th July 2026.

We are seeking an experienced Research and Policy Lead to help shape an ambitious new area of work across the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Nuffield Foundation and the Ada Lovelace Institute.

This role has a dual focus. First, you will help develop a cross-Nuffield programme on experimental governance, exploring how ethical and societal considerations can be embedded into emerging governance approaches, including regulatory sandboxes and other experimental models. Second, you will contribute to thought leadership of the Nuffield Foundation’s strategy, particularly the question of how science and technology can work for people and society.

We are looking for someone with strong governance and regulatory expertise, a good understanding of science policy and ethics, and excellent research and policy skills. You will work across organisational boundaries, build relationships with decision-makers and experts, and help shape thinking at the intersection of science, technology, regulation, ethics and public policy.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Strong knowledge of UK governance and regulatory systems
• A strong understanding of / interest in science policy, bioethics, and the societal implications of science and technology
• Excellent research, analysis and writing skills
• Confidence building relationships across organisations and with external stakeholders
• A strong interest in responsible innovation, public policy, and how science and technology can work for people and society

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced candidate who is able to use their programme management skills and policy and research experience to ensure that ethical and societal considerations are at the heart of developments in science and technology.

About us

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is a leading independent policy and research centre, and the foremost bioethics body in the UK. We are on a mission to embed ethics in decisions regarding biomedicine and health so that we all benefit.

For over thirty years we have tackled some of the most complex and controversial bioethical issues facing society. We are funded jointly by the Nuffield Foundation, Wellcome and the Medical Research Council.   

We aim to inform policy and public debate through timely consideration of the ethical questions raised by biological and medical research so that the benefits to society are realised in a way that is consistent with public values. Our work has led to shifts in public understanding and policy change on topics ranging from assisted reproduction and genome editing to managing the disagreements that arise in the care of critically ill children.  

Further information and how to apply

For further information about the role, please click through to the vacancy listing via the ‘Apply’ button above. The closing date for applications is 09:30am (BST) on Tuesday 7^th July 2026.

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