Leads Scottish Funding Council research strategy, focusing on research sustainability, investment cases, evidence development, research value, and UK R&D policy. Builds relationships with Scottish and UK governments, UKRI, universities, and other stakeholders; provides strategic advice, briefings, and reports; represents the organisation externally; supports cross-team collaboration; and manages a team of two. The role requires senior-level policy influence, knowledge of Scottish and UK research policy, strong communication and negotiation skills, and strategic judgement.
Our ambition is for Scotland to be the best place in the world to learn, educate, research and innovate, so that all of our nation can flourish. Our purpose is to create and sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that changes lives for the better, enriches society and supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic professional to join our Investment & Research directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the Scottish Funding Council’s research strategy at a time of significant development and change in the Scottish and UK R&D landscape.
The role provides a unique national vantage point and includes engagement with key stakeholders within the Scottish Government, UK Government and UK Research & Innovation as well as across Scottish institutions. You will work flexibly across a broad range of areas from supporting positive research cultures, to developing cases for investment in research, exploring issues of research financial sustainability, and influencing UK R&D policy.
Virtual interviews will be held week commencing 2 November 2026 (via Teams).
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic professional to join our Investment & Research directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the Scottish Funding Council’s research strategy at a time of significant development and change in the Scottish and UK R&D landscape.
The role provides a unique national vantage point and includes engagement with key stakeholders within the Scottish Government, UK Government and UK Research & Innovation as well as across Scottish institutions. You will work flexibly across a broad range of areas from supporting positive research cultures, to developing cases for investment in research, exploring issues of research financial sustainability, and influencing UK R&D policy.
Virtual interviews will be held week commencing 2 November 2026 (via Teams).
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Deputy Director, Research, Innovation and Capital, you will:
- Lead key areas of SFC research strategy, including but not limited to research sustainability, articulating the value of research, evidence development and contributions to UK R&D policy.
- Support the Deputy, Director of Research, Innovation & Capital on specific areas of work related to research strategy, research landscape and financial sustainability, as required.
- Cultivate and maintain positive working links with institutions, the Scottish Government, UK Government and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) including relationship building with relevant stakeholders.
- Horizon-scan and provide advice, support and guidance to internal and external Scottish stakeholders, producing briefings, reports and papers as required for SFC senior management and key stakeholders.
- Represent SFC as required, deputising for the Deputy Director and Director where appropriate in external and internal engagements. This may require travel both around Scotland to meet with partners and stakeholders, and in the UK particularly for work with the other funding bodies for research.
- Support and promote effective working and collaboration across SFC, breaking down organisational silos and facilitating greater project and collaborative work across teams, contributing research & innovation perspectives and input as appropriate. You will manage a team of two people.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:
Essential:
Essential:
- Experience of policy development, stakeholder engagement and influencing at a senior level within a complex political environment, for example within institutions, national and local governments, agencies or influencing bodies/groups.
- Knowledge and experience of current research policy issues in Scottish and UK contexts, ideally with experience of working in a research or research policy environment.
- A demonstrable understanding of the current Scottish political and Government operating environment.
- Good awareness of higher education issues in Scotland.
- Ability to think strategically and creatively and demonstrate good judgement when analysing and responding to complex issues.
- High-level oral and written communication skills, including experience of representation and negotiation at a senior level.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, experience of management and the ability to work well as part of a team.
- Qualified to SCQF Level 9 (Degree) or equivalent experience.
Terms and Benefits
· Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements. A flexi-time system is in operation.
· Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro-rata, plus public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata.
· A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in-person contact with colleagues.
· Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite. Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the preceding year.
· Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. With its low member contribution rates and generous employer contributions, this gives you a secure, inflation-proof pension for life with no investment uncertainty. Details of contribution rates together with further details of the pension benefits are available on the Civil Service Pensions website. There is also the option of a Partnership pension account.
· Support for continuous professional development: as a part of SFC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for continuous learning and professional development. Civil Service-Learning curriculum has thoughtfully designed to cater to various learning preferences, allowing employees to engage in a manner that best suits their needs. All our educational resources are conveniently accessible through the CSL website.
· Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay, free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Special Leave (paid and unpaid), a contribution to learning outside work through our Lifelong Learning Fund, free winter flu vaccination, and access to occupational health support.
· We provide support to SFC employees with Volunteering Days.
· Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first-come basis.
Although most salaried roles are advertised as full time positions (35 hours a week), we are happy to discuss part-time or compressed hours to suit a candidates circumstances. We also operate a flexible working scheme to work around a candidate's other commitments such as caring responsibilities.
We will consider secondment applications for most salaried fixed-term or temporary positions and in many cases also for salaried permanent positions. If you are interested in applying on a secondment basis and this option is not explicitly mentioned in the job advert, please contact [email protected] for further information.
Although most salaried roles are advertised as full time positions (35 hours a week), we are happy to discuss part-time or compressed hours to suit a candidates circumstances. We also operate a flexible working scheme to work around a candidate's other commitments such as caring responsibilities.
We will consider secondment applications for most salaried fixed-term or temporary positions and in many cases also for salaried permanent positions. If you are interested in applying on a secondment basis and this option is not explicitly mentioned in the job advert, please contact [email protected] for further information.
About
We are the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, more commonly known as the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).We are Scotland’s tertiary education and research authority and our purpose is to sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that enables students to flourish, changes lives for the better, and supports social, economic and environmental wellbeing and prosperity.We do this by investing around £2 billion of public money to deliver:Tertiary learning and teaching.Skills and apprenticeships.Student support and participation.Research, innovation and knowledge exchange.Data collection and dissemination.National quality assurance and enhancement processes.Capital and digital infrastructure for the sector.Strategic change, responsive provision and research priorities.As a non-departmental public body established by the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, we are directly accountable to Scottish Government Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. We work across many government portfolios and are sponsored by the Lifelong Learning Directorate.We hold colleges, universities and other funded bodies to account for their delivery of required outcomes. We are also the statistical authority for colleges, and work closely with the UK-wide Higher Education Statistical Authority (HESA), to provide data and statistics for government, decision-makers, and the wider public.We work in partnership with a wide range of partners and bodies, including those we fund, across all aspects of our remit.General information for applicants for SFC rolesYou must already be eligible to work in the UK to apply for these roles. SFC does not offer employment sponsorship for new employees.We are pleased to support applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, as well as those who have skills in Scottish Gaelic or British Sign Language, who have the right skills for the job. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and actively encourage interviews through the scheme. Further information about SFC is available on our website Scottish Funding Council home page (sfc.ac.uk). Additional information about our recruitment process can be found at Recruitment Information and Tips | Scottish Funding Council Careers (sfc.ac.uk).
Similar Jobs
Aerospace • Information Technology • Software • Cybersecurity • Design • Defense • Manufacturing
Provides technical records and document-control expertise for Boeing P-8 Poseidon support. Trains and coaches a newly formed operator, develops procedures and materials, and ensures compliant records capabilities for scheduled, unscheduled, repair, and modification work. The role requires technical-data interpretation, workload coordination, reporting, collaboration with diverse teams, and experience in aircraft maintenance records or document control.
Top Skills:
GoldespMS Office
Aerospace • Information Technology • Software • Cybersecurity • Design • Defense • Manufacturing
Creates and maintains electronic manufacturing work packages, technical instructions, aircraft work orders, tooling, and shop aids for E-7 aircraft maintenance and modification. Interprets engineering and maintenance data, manages configuration control, supports supply-chain technical queries, and contributes to continuous improvement. The role requires collaboration with engineering, production, quality, regulatory, customer, and international Boeing teams.
Top Skills:
Gold Esp Mro
Aerospace • Information Technology • Software • Cybersecurity • Design • Defense • Manufacturing
Supports the E-7 Wedgetail programme Safety Management System through occurrence report management, safety investigations, risk mitigation, safety meetings, audits, training, safety promotion, performance metrics, and SMS documentation. The role maintains interfaces with Boeing departments, the Ministry of Defence, and suppliers while supporting hazard working groups and continuous safety improvement. UK and occasional overseas travel may be required.
Top Skills:
AsimsBowtie MethodologyCentrikQ-PulseSafety Management Systems (Sms)
What you need to know about the Edinburgh Tech Scene
From traditional pubs and centuries-old universities to sleek shopping malls and glass-paneled office buildings, Edinburgh's architecture reflects its unique blend of history and modernity. But the fusion of past and future isn't just visible in its buildings; it's also shaping the city's economy. Named the United Kingdom's leading technology ecosystem outside of London, Edinburgh plays host to major global companies like Apple and Adobe, as well as a growing number of innovative startups in fields like cybersecurity, finance and healthcare.
