Senior Researcher (maternity cover) – Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Salary: Starting from £53,588 per annum.
Contract: 12 month maternity cover contract (starts Sept 2026). Secondments considered.
Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week).
Location: London based (Farringdon). Staff can work part of the week from home.
Closing: 1st July 2026, 09:30am (BST).
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) is seeking an experienced researcher to lead on the design, development and execution of project deliverables under the Mind & Brain priority area work programme. Your main focus will be working across our Mind & Brain priority area, and you may also be expected to work on other projects and policy areas as necessary, particularly any complex or time‑sensitive research and policy projects associated with NCOB’s priority areas.
You will act as an expert on your portfolio within the NCOB and be responsible for elements of project‑specific publications (including conception, drafting and delivery) alongside significant stakeholder management, outreach and coordination. This will include working with communications and public affairs colleagues to deploy communications strategies and create different forms of content, seeing outputs through from inception to publication and evaluation.
As an experienced researcher and/or policy professional, you will also be expected to contribute to and support the development and implementation of NCOB’s wider strategic priorities or positions, and manage the work of researchers, external collaborators, and consultants, as required.
Responsibilities
- Lead on the design, development, and execution of project deliverables under the Mind & Brain priority area work programme.
- Work across the Mind & Brain priority area and other necessary projects and policy areas.
- Contribute to NCOB’s wider strategic priorities or positions.
- Manage the work of researchers, external collaborators, and consultants.
- Produce project‑specific publications, including conception, drafting and delivery.
- Stakeholder management, outreach and coordination.
- Deploy communications strategies with communications and public affairs colleagues.
- Create different forms of content for various audiences.
- Lead project management and coordinate across teams.
- Support policy‑influencing agenda.
Qualifications
- Experience designing, delivering, and managing rigorous and collaborative research projects with ethical considerations at the core.
- Active interest in ethical issues relating to emerging biotechnologies and/or neuroethics in a UK context.
- Broad knowledge and enthusiasm for bioethical issues and the policy, scientific, regulatory and legal environment.
- Track record of producing high‑quality written outputs adapted for different audiences.
- Highly organised and motivated, comfortable leading a project and working across teams.
- Strategic thinker with ability to identify opportunities for impact and contribute to NCOB’s wider strategy.
- Policy or research experience, project management skills.
EEO statement
- As a Disability Confident employer, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the essential criteria for the job.
- Providing reasonable adjustments – e.g., documents in different formats, sign language interpreter for interviews, etc.
- Paying for travel costs (and any childcare or care costs) for interviews where in‑person attendance is required.
Benefits package includes
- Genuine flexibility – requests for part‑time hours, compressed working weeks, or job shares.
- 28 days holiday per annum plus public holidays, option to buy or sell up to 5 days (pro‑rated for part‑time staff).
- A salary exchange pension scheme offering employer contributions up to 11%.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Family leave policies with enhanced pay.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme and loans towards season tickets.
- Regular opportunities for learning and development – including coaching, mentoring, and dedicated reading days.
- Support with physical, mental and financial wellbeing – employee assistance provider, private GP service, personal health reviews, will and funeral planning service, and a staff network of trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- A warm and welcoming workplace culture with active peer groups and social networks.
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