Defra Research and Development Fellowship Programme

Defra is here to make our air purer, our water cleaner, our land greener and our food more sustainable. The importance of our work, and the importance of science and analysis to inform that work, has never been greater. Following the success of the first three years of our fellowship programme, we're delighted to launch the 4^th year of the Defra R&D Fellowship Programme, championed by our Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Anjali Goswami. This programme provides an opportunity for scientists and analysts to gain experience in a policy focused environment and understand how evidence is used within government. Feedback from our past cohorts of fellows highlights the opportunity the programme has afforded to form new networks and connections, supporting career development, understanding how government works, working at the intersection of science and policy and being involved with research that has real world impact. Research and innovation are critical for government's work to reduce risk to the UK, to achieve positive societal, environmental and economic outcomes, and to inform policy. As an R&D Fellow you will work alongside Defra's existing scientists and analysts to bring relevant and recent research into government activity. This fellowship offers an opportunity to experience working at the evidence-to-policy interface while helping to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by society today. Our Defra R&D Fellows will use their scientific or analytical skills to work alongside policy and evidence teams on a range of priority and strategic policy issues. Scientists will be expected to have a relevant topic specialism in one of Defra's areas of work. Analysts will need to demonstrate specialism in an analytical profession but don't need experience in a Defra policy area. Analyst professions include social and operational research, economics, statistics, and geography. Fellows will join us on short-term appointments in Defra, for up to 1 year, with salary costs provided by Defra. We aim to onboard most Fellows as a cohort by 1st April 2027, but we can offer flexibility about start date and duration on a case-by-case basis. Fellowships are available on a full time or part time basis, job shares are welcome. All fellowships will end on or before 30th March 2028.

Please note short term contracts are not considered to be fair and open competition under civil service commission rules, so you will not be eligible to apply for internal posts or consider it as part of your continuity of service. You will be eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme but must work for the CS at least 2 years before you are able to benefit from the scheme. By participating in the Defra R&D Fellowship programme, you will gain skills and experience in project delivery, evidence synthesis, communicating complex information to non-experts, writing for a policy audience, working at pace, and balancing use of policy and evidence in government. You will be involved in work that will have a high impact, and you will benefit from networking with other scientists and analysts, including those in your cohort. You will gain valuable insight into the policy making process in a central government department. Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO) and Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Salary: £33,590 to £44,500 Location: Based in one of Defra's core hubs: Bristol, London, Newcastle, York (with expectation of at least 60% office attendance averaged over a month). Location exceptions will only be considered where the project is in close collaboration with a Defra Public Sector Research Establishment. Starting Salary: HEO National: £33,590; HEO London: £37,480; SEO National: £41,220; SEO London: £44,500. These fellowships may be eligible for a non-pensionable, non-consolidated Specialist Skills Supplement of £3,000 per annum (pro rata as appropriate). Contract type: Short-term appointment of up to 12 months, with a minimum of six-month duration, beginning at the earliest 1^st April 2027 and to be completed by 30th March 2028. By exception we can offer successful candidates a secondment into Defra (i.e. remain an employee of their present institution) - these will be discussed on an individual basis if successful, including terms and conditions (we would require that your salary be in line with Defra salary bandings). Number of fellowships available: Approximately 65 For all roles we are looking for candidates to demonstrate the following:

• Experience of working as a researcher and/or in an R&D environment
• Good communication skills; being able to translate science or analysis to both peers and non-specialists
• Evidence of being able to manage your own workload and prioritise
• An ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Experience of delivering sustained projects (e.g. research projects)
For the more senior fellowships, at SEO grade, candidates will also be able to demonstrate the following:
• Experience in project or programme leadership in a science, engineering, or analytical context
• Experience in creating and using networks across organisational boundaries