Senior Adviser, Research Collaboration Advice Team

Job summary

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.

We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.

We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.

We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.

We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.

Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

Our Inclusive Environment

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

We need adaptable, positive and forward-thinking people to help UK universities stay safe and secure when collaborating internationally. The openness which drives our research sector also makes it a target. Hostile actors want to misappropriate cutting-edge discoveries and technologies, and they see the UK’s open collaboration as an opportunity to do so. The Government wants to maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in research and innovation, supporting researchers to work internationally whilst taking proportionate steps to safeguard our research from misuse. DSIT is the lead department for research security to address these challenges to research. The Research Collaboration Advice Team (RCAT) provides research institutions with a first point of contact for official advice about national security risks linked to their international research portfolio. Through engagement we support UK research institutions to better understand this complex threat, and how to protect themselves and their work. We are seeking an Edinburgh-based Senior Adviser to join the team in Scotland.

If you want a greater sense of this area, check out the Trusted Research website: https://www.npsa.gov.uk/trusted-research-academia

Person specification

The Edinburgh Senior Adviser role will place you at the forefront of research security, working in a vibrant, cross-Government environment while collaborating with world leading academic institutions across Scotland and Northern Ireland. This dynamic position will hone your influencing skills and immerse you in challenging and rewarding operational delivery and relationship management—perfect for problem solvers who thrive in complex systems and value collaboration.

In this role, you’ll actively engage with UK research institutions, both virtually and in person, helping to risk-assure ground-breaking projects that involve international partners and delve into emerging and dual-use technologies. The team work directly with leading research institutions, equipping them to embrace security-conscious practices while nurturing the culture of open innovation that drives progress.

You’ll connect with a diverse array of stakeholders within Government and beyond, both domestically and globally. As part of the Edinburgh sub-team, you’ll collaborate with peers across regions, lending your expertise to projects that span boundaries. Team members can expect to travel frequently in their region to visit university stakeholders, occasionally requiring overnight stays. Occasional trips to other DSIT offices may be required (especially London and Salford).

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

Collaborating with the RCAT Scotland and Northern Ireland Lead to assist universities in Scotland and Northern Ireland by providing timely, accurate, and informative advice on research security issues.

Leading on casework within the regional portfolio, managing stakeholder relationships both within and external to Government.

Conducting briefing and training sessions for university staff and academic groups.

Utilising open-source research to gain insights into the international partnerships and research strengths of the region and the institutions supported.

Keeping accurate and timely records on the team’s software system and working collaboratively across a regionally distributed team to share knowledge.

Working with other Senior Advisers in the team to produce materials for use in university engagements.

Collaborating with international partners to promote best practice in Research Security and share experiences from RCAT's interaction with the sector.

The ideal candidate will be invested in contributing ideas, energy, and passion while growing and developing in an environment where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. If you’re ready to influence the future of global research and security, this role is calling your name.

Essential Criteria:

Experience collaborating with partners outside your organisation to deliver results

Strong engagement skills, including building positive relationships across teams

Effective communicator able to engage verbally and in writing with a range of audiences

Strong organisational and time management skills

Ability to manage sensitive and challenging conversations

Desirable Criteria:

Demonstrable problem-solving skills and ability to handle complexity

Experience with presentations, workshops and relationship management

Working knowledge of the UK higher education and research sector

Background in any of the following: fundamental or applied research, research commercialisation, funding, policy, or legal assurance in a research context.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,620, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £12,926 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the