Specialist Policy Officer; Faculty of Medicine

Organisation/Company UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON Research Field Educational sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 18 Feb 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Other Job Status Part-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

This role is an opportunity to join a diverse, creative and agile team at the heart of a research intensive, Russell Group university. Our mission is to 9enhance the public policy impact of research conducted at the University of Southampton. In practice this means building connections and capacity for academics and policymakers to engage in mutually beneficial dialogue to address the challenges our communities face.

Our work spans across all faculties and disciplines at the University of Southampton and includes engaging with policy actors ranging from local councillors through to the United Nations.

This role has been designed to meet increased demand for policy engagement support from our globally renowned researchers in the faculty of Medicine. The successful candidate will be capable of moving between a broad range of subject areas to support colleagues a diverse range of disciplines. They will be adept at influencing senior decision makers within government with a track record of engaging with parliamentarians in their role of scrutinising the executive.

Candidates with knowledge of provision of cancer sciences, developmental sciences, primary care and health care sciences will be well positioned to excel in this position. This role is well suited to those with a background in public affairs (particularly for third sector organisations), local or national government or parliamentary support (i.e. civil servants, MP staffers, POST or Select Committee support staff).

This role will work closely with senior leadership within the faculty and across the University. As a hybrid team we have an expectation of part time team members being on campus at least one day a week.

We strongly encourage applicants from groups traditionally under-represented in the UK higher education sector (you can find out more about our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion action plan here). We actively encourage applicants seeking flexible working/job share employment to accommodate caring/volunteering/educational commitments. The role is offered as part time (21 hours a week) on a fixed term basis with pension auto-enrolment to the Universities Superannuation Scheme and generous holiday allocation of 30 days (pro rata) plus 14 University closure/public holidays.

This role is initially offered as a fixed term basis until 31st July 2026 with an ambition that, should funding be agreed, the position would be extended.

• Support policymakers and academics through policy engagement across faculties and disciplines.
• Move between subject areas to support colleagues in diverse disciplines.
• Influence senior decision makers within government; engage with parliamentarians in scrutiny roles.
• Collaborate with senior leadership within the faculty and across the University; work as part of a hybrid team with on-campus presence at least one day a week.
• Coordinate with the PPS team to meet increasing demand for policy engagement support.

• Background in public affairs, particularly for third sector organisations, local or national government or parliamentary support (e.g., civil servants, MP staffers, POST or Select Committee support staff).
• Ability to move between a broad range of subject areas and engage with a diverse range of disciplines.
• Knowledge of cancer sciences, developmental sciences, primary care or health care sciences is advantageous.

• Part-time: 21 hours per week; fixed term until 31 July 2026 with potential extension if funding is agreed; pension auto-enrolment; 30 days holiday (pro rata) plus 14 University closure/public holidays.
• Location:
  
  hybrid; on-campus presence at least one day a week.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement and flexible working options.
• Contact:
  Gareth Giles via  for questions.