Innovation Commercialisation Policy Advisor

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

Innovation is a critical tool in tackling the UK’s biggest challenges both now and in the years ahead. It will play a crucial role in delivery many of the Government’s priorities including supporting growth in every postcode.

As part of the Innovation Ecosystems Team, you will be a driving force for the government’s innovation agenda by helping to address innovation ecosystem challenges. You will work closely with colleagues across government, in UKRI, the public sector and beyond to shape evidence-based policies that help businesses and places across the UK turn great ideas into innovation-led growth.

We are a friendly team, with a collaborative culture. We want to achieve high performance and ensure team members feel empowered, and we do this by promoting individuals’ wellbeing and supporting flexible working practices.

We are dedicated to providing equal opportunity and will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the interview process.

The role:

We are looking for a SEO Policy Advisor to join the Innovation Ecosystems Team. This role will give the successful candidate an opportunity to lead on an area of work that will help deliver against a ministerial priorities.

Supporting policy development with UKRI on early-stage research commercialisation, especially from universities (e.g. spin-out companies). As well as related work on early-stage support for start-ups, e.g. via incubators and accelerators. Another area will be in supporting the spending review and working across government to agree our budget for business R&D support. Additionally collaborating with UKRI to help the delivery of the R&D Missions Programme - a £500m programme that addresses specific challenges such as advancing healthcare and transitioning to cleaner energy.

Person specification

Key responsibilities across the roles will likely include:

• Developing and designing evidence-based policy to enable innovation-led growth across the UK
  
• Working with other government departments and UKRI, the UK’s research and innovation funding agency, to influence policy and programme design.
  
• Supporting on the delivery of UKRI-led £500 million R&D Missions Accelerator Programme (R&D MAP).
  
• Supporting with budget planning for the next spending review.

Essential Criteria

• Effective communication and stakeholder management: Able to build and maintain strong working relationships across UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Whitehall, and senior stakeholders, and communicate complex policy clearly to both internal and public audiences.
  
• Excellent written and analytical skills: Produces clear, concise, and high-quality written outputs, including briefings and communications for ministers and senior officials.
  
• Delivery focus and programme management capability: Able to manage a stretching portfolio, contribute to delivery of major programmes (including R&D Missions Accelerator Programme), and drive progress through effective coordination and follow-through.
  
• Experience of managing multiple strands of activity and competing demands.
  
• Commercial awareness and policy insight: Understanding of innovation commercialisation, including spin-outs and intellectual property policy, and ability to support development of policy in these areas.

Desirable Criteria

• Deep understanding of the UK research and development system: Demonstrates knowledge of how the R&D ecosystem operates, including delivery bodies, cross-government priorities, and key levers to drive adoption and impact.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

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 Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.

Office attendance

The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hou