Heriot-Watt University

Role: IDRIC Policy Research & Impact Associate

Directorate: School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (6 Months)

Grade: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University

Detailed Description

The Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) is a UKRI-funded multi-disciplinary programme addressing key cross-cutting challenges in decarbonising our industry. Collaborating with research organisations, industry, government, policymakers, NGOs, trade organisations and the public, IDRIC is co-creating whole-system, multidisciplinary solutions that are accelerating the green futures of the UK’s industrial clusters. For more information, please visit www.idric.org.

Applications close on 23rd October. Anticipated interviews on 30th October.

Purpose of Role

The IDRIC Policy Research & Impact Associate is responsible for contributing policy aspects of IDRIC’s portfolio of work on Industrial Decarbonisation.

As part of IDRIC’s Policy Team, the post-holder will work alongside another IDRIC Policy Research & Impact Associate to deliver IDRIC’s policy objectives. This includes undertaking analysis and research, translating and synthesising research outputs and supporting engagement with policy makers and stakeholders. Policy team members may also be supporting delivery of specific projects which have been won by IDRIC. They will collaborate closely with the wider IDRIC team based at Heriot-Watt University and across IDRIC’s partner organisations (see https://idric.org/ for further information).

The outputs of this role will reinforce IDRIC’s position as the UK’s centre of excellence on industrial decarbonisation and ensure it remains a trusted and authoritative source of research evidence and independent advice for policy makers, industry and the media. The post-holder will also support IDRIC’s role as an effective interface between academia and parliament, politics and policy makers. While the primary focus will be on the UK, the role will also consider international perspectives and opportunities. This role may also be supporting the delivery of a recently won Innovate UK award, focussing on digital twins to improve maritime emissions.

Whilst the initial contract for this role is available until end March 2026, there is the strong possibility that additional funding will be secured, to support the role through to March 2027.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Stay informed of policy and regulation updates and associated research relevant to the Centre’s mission as well as analyse and communicate this to relevant parts of IDRIC.
• Undertake new research assignments and analysis of published technical and policy papers and reports, and contribute to producing review reports, position papers, and other outputs, identifying trends and solutions.
• Provide the necessary policy (including research) expertise and resource to the wider IDRIC team and act as a central point of contact to simplify and streamline interactions with the Centre for external stakeholders.
• Work with another IDRIC Policy Research & Impact Associate, Centre Manager, IDRIC Director and partners across the UK and internationally to support policy and mission advocacy by providing evidence to policy makers and the public, including evidence-based policy briefings and consultation responses
• Ensure outputs meet requirements and quality standards, including through developing and refining content on often complex concepts to ensure accessibility and relevance, and the preparation of summary documents and synthesis reports.
• Explain IDRICs role and disseminate its outputs to relevant stakeholders while at the same time collecting, recording and feeding back their issues and suggestions to appropriate colleagues.
• Develop relationships with relevant elected representatives, officials and other policy influencers to deliver appropriate policy initiatives, and support strategies and alliances to build on this work.
• Support the conceptualisation, planning, delivery and facilitation of meetings, workshops and other outward-facing IDRIC events.
• Build on our existing relationships and work with agencies/consultants on our two-way approach to communications.
• Support the writing of bids to win grants for policy development within Industrial Decarbonisation.
• Support delivery of the CGI led ‘MaritimeTwin’ project, including gaining an understanding of current and emerging maritime regulations, to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed solution. Engaging in the development of evidence-based decision support for maritime emissions.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Essential

1. Postgraduate qualification (MSc or PhD) within a relevant field such as social sciences, physical sciences, environmental sciences or engineering or equivalent practical experience within the workplace.
2. The ability to deliver targeted research and meta-analysis of data/information, paying attention to detail while grasping the bigger picture.
3. Willingness to work flexibly across policy areas and research themes in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to manage workload effectively across projects.
4. Ability to communicate complex information clearly to different audiences, both verbally and in writing.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with internal and external stakeholders.
6. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
7. Excellent IT skills and experience of project and information management systems.

Desirable

1. A good understanding of policy-making in the UK and the devolved nations.
2. Experience in industrial decarbonisation and/or maritime emissions, or a related area
3. Experience in identifying opportunities for impactful policy research and engagement or other knowledge exchange experience.
4. Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with businesses and industry partners.
5. Experience in the use of analytical or modelling tools relevant to industrial decarbonisation, energy systems or policy analysis.
6. Experience organising and delivering events, workshops or stakeholder engagement activities.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Thursday 23rd October 2025.

Anticipated interviews on Thursday 30th October.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.