Senior Analyst – Environments and Infrastructure

Senior Analyst – Environments and Infrastructure

Location: Cambridge (hybrid, approximately 60 % in Cambridge)

FTE: 1.0 FTE

Term: Fixed term (initially 2 years, thereafter subject to funding)

About the Institute for Manufacturing and IfM Engage

The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) is part of the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering. It focuses on research, education, and practice to “Manufacture a Better World.” Its activities involve helping organisations develop life‑changing products and services, create meaningful jobs, and contribute to a better environment for the future. Additionally, the Institute aims to help governments foster innovation and enterprise to deliver social and economic benefits. Its undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes are designed to prepare the manufacturing leaders of the future.

IfM Engage Ltd is a limited company owned entirely by the University of Cambridge. The company generates revenue by partnering with organisations across industry, government, and academia to help them solve complex challenges, utilising approaches and knowledge developed at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM). The operating surplus generated by IfM Engage is donated to the University of Cambridge to support future research. In 2024, IfM Engage was recognised for its strong and positive work culture and was awarded the Investors in People (IIP) accreditation.

Mental Health Catalyst programme

IfM Engage has been selected to lead the development and delivery of a Mental Health Catalyst. Contract development is underway and the project is expected to begin on February 2nd, 2026.

The Catalyst is a major international collaboration, working with leading researchers, innovators, lived‑experience experts and other stakeholders to accelerate the identification and development of new and better interventions for depressed mood. It builds on work done since 2019 by IfM Engage and collaborators to develop and pilot structured approaches to help accelerate the translation of mental‑health research into interventions for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and personalised treatment of depression in young people. The Catalyst programme combines evidence synthesis, and innovation and implementation methods, to translate research into impactful, scalable and equitable solutions that improve mental‑health outcomes for globally diverse populations across the life course.

The Senior Analyst – Environments and Infrastructure is responsible for delivering the Catalyst’s Environments and Infrastructure work package.

The Environments and Infrastructure work package

The purpose of the Environments and Infrastructure (E&I) work package is to engage with the Catalyst’s Expert Advisory Panels and stakeholders internationally to:

1. Identify the barriers in environments and infrastructure that inhibit the translation of biological, psychological and social research into innovations – and portfolios of innovations – that can be applied at scale to reduce the prevalence, severity and duration of clinically depressed mood globally. These barriers include, for example, financing and investment models, regulatory frameworks, cultural acceptability, workforce capacity and capability, and data or digital infrastructures. The scope includes:
   • Pharmaceutical, non‑pharmaceutical (e.g. dietary, neuromodulation) and digital intervention modalities
   • Low-, middle- and high‑income country contexts
   • The value chain from research through innovation, implementation, sustained use, and impact.
2. Evaluate, prioritise and select key barriers for action, guided by criteria of potential impact and feasibility.
3. Collaboratively ideate, define, design (conceptual, rather than detailed), evaluate and select solutions for the key barriers.
4. Develop roadmaps with IfM Engage specialists to guide implementation.
5. Communicate the E&I outputs to key audiences. This includes:
   • Developing, with IfM Engage Communications, a targeted communication strategy and plan
   • Producing communication outputs tailored for the key stakeholder audiences
   • Contributing to communications activities including in‑person and online launch events, a webinar series, conference presentations, articles, social media, and in‑person and online engagement with key stakeholders.

Purpose of the role

The Senior Analyst – Environments and Infrastructure (E&I) – will lead delivery of the E&I work package within the Mental Health Catalyst. The role focuses on identifying, prioritising and addressing barriers in environments and infrastructures that inhibit the translation of biological, psychological and social research into innovations – and portfolios of innovations – that can be applied at scale to reduce the prevalence, severity and duration of clinically depressed mood globally.

Working closely with the Project Director, Expert Advisory Panels, collaborators and global stakeholders, the Senior Analyst will conduct and coordinate research, structured analysis, evidence synthesis and stakeholder engagement. They will develop actionable insights and roadmaps that strengthen the enabling conditions for mental‑health innovation worldwide.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Programme delivery and coordination

• Lead the planning, delivery and reporting of the Environments & Infrastructure work package, ensuring alignment with other Catalyst work packages.
• Manage day‑to‑day activities, monitor progress, and ensure outputs are delivered to agreed timelines, budgets and quality standards.
• Facilitate input from Expert Advisory Panels and collaborators across high‑, middle‑ and low‑income settings.
• Contribute to overall programme monitoring, evaluation and learning processes.

2. Research, analysis and synthesis

• Conduct desk research and stakeholder consultation on barriers and enabling factors, such as financing and regulatory frameworks, workforce capacity, data/digital infrastructure, and implementation capability.
• Develop structured analyses of barriers and candidate solutions using criteria such as impact, feasibility and scalability.
• Design and deliver barrier/solution analyses and associated ecosystem maps and roadmaps in collaboration with IfM Engage roadmapping / ecosystem mapping specialists.
• Integrate E&I outputs with findings from the Evidence Synthesis and Target Identification work packages to inform prioritisation of interventions.

3. Stakeholder engagement and facilitation

• Engage and collaborate with Expert Advisory Panels, global stakeholders and the funder to build shared understanding of E&I priorities.
• Plan, prepare and facilitate structured online and in‑person workshops, interviews and consultations across time zones.
• Document, analyse and synthesise stakeholder insights to inform barrier prioritisation and solution design.
• Foster constructive and inclusive relationships across academia, funders, policymakers, industry, NGOs and lived‑experience communities.

4. Communication and dissemination

• Prepare high‑quality reports, presentations and communication materials tailored to diverse audiences.
• Contribute to the Catalyst’s dissemination activities – including launch events, conferences, webinars and digital outputs – in collaboration with the IfM Engage Communications team.
• Present findings and represent the Catalyst in professional and academic forums to support uptake and long‑term impact.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in a high‑profile, international initiative shaping the future of mental‑health innovation.

Some UK and international travel may be required as part of the role.

The role is full‑time; however, we are open to conversations around flexible working. The role is based in Cambridge. IfM Engage operates an ‘office first’ hybrid working policy (at 60% of working time in the office). The salary band for this role is £48,902 - £59,769 plus a generous benefits package, including healthcare.

IfM Engage has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

IfM Engage actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received and may contact candidates during the advertising period. However, the role will remain open until the stated closing date, and all applications will be given full consideration.

At IfM Engage, we are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use your data and ensure that we meet our data protection obligations. For a more detailed view of the information we collect and how we process it please check out our Privacy Notice for Job Applicants on our website.

How to apply:

Please send a CV and covering letter to ifm-engage@eng.cam.ac.uk. If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Anna Rowntree, Project and Operations Manager (car68@cam.ac.uk).

The closing date for the role is 12 noon on 10 December 2025. We look forward to your application.

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