About the Role

Addressing climate change, meeting targets such as net zero and creating a sustainable future for humanity are among the biggest challenges that society faces today. Finding viable long-term solutions is not straightforward due to the complexity of the Earth system and the need to bring together technological and socio-economic innovation and change. Scientific measurement plays a key role across the board, to understand the Earth system, to identify the potential for innovation, to assuring innovations do actually deliver as intended and that the Earth system responds as we hope for. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) sets the standards by which these are all measured. As the UK’s National Metrology Institute, NPL is an internationally respected and independent centre of excellence in research, development and knowledge transfer in measurement science.  Its resources include over 800 scientific experts, 36,000m² of laboratories and a suite of unique facilities.  We work with government, industry and other stakeholders to ensure that they can rely on what they are measuring.

 

The Environment team identifies and develops our Environment strategy through which we work with our scientists to engage stakeholders, identify new science opportunities, build our scientific capabilities and to support the delivery so that we create impact from science.

 

Purpose of the Role

  1. Strategic analytical research to support the further development of our Environment strategy and/or programmes. Typically, this will be focused on a specific topic, sector or industry areas to understand the challenges and identify measurements needs that can be addressed through NPL science. This may shape the overall strategy or support the development of programme proposals.
  2. Early stakeholder engagement to develop NPL points-of-view and NPL positions. Typically, this involves literature search and external interactions/conferences in new-to-NPL areas to identify where there is future research or business development potential for NPL.


We are now working in a hybrid way, with a mix of remote and office working. We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.
 
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About You
 

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the delivery of strategic research projects that provide new insights to strategy, business development or/and science research. This includes scoping, desktop research, engaging with internal and external stakeholders as well as synthesising and coming up with conclusions and recommendations. Summarise output in reports that can be published both internally and externally.
  • Conduct strategic analytical desk research to pull together policy, market, high-level technical and scientific inputs and identify new insights and new challenges that relevant to NPL measurement science. Identify, structure and validate new knowledge and/or viewpoint around measurement challenges.
  • Develop relationships and raise the profile of NPL in the Environment arena through content driven engagement with external stakeholders. Liaise with marketing and provide of knowledge and content of marketing outputs for external websites, brochures and conferences etc.
  • Support Strategic Business Development managers for knowledge and analytical content needs particularly in new funding streams and opportunities to NPL. Support opportunity realisation where possible.
  • Support the Head of Challenge in the development and refinement of the challenge strategy.
  • Taking reasonable duty of care for Health & Safety.

 

Key Skills and Knowledge Required

  • Delivery focused. Ability to efficiently manage multiple complex projects while focusing on activities that most critical for tangible value delivery.
  • Strategic thinking. Seeing big picture. Foresight.
  • Analytical skills and critical thinking. Ability to learn, identify and analyse large amount of new information. Ability to synthesis, distil, structure, find trend and insight, sometimes from possibly incomplete data.
  • Commercial/business knowledge and mind-set
  • Leadership skills and team player. Ability to lead a project. Work with stakeholders with different background and level of experience.
  • Strong communication skills. Verbal and written. Experience in producing reports, papers and other project-related, written delivery work.
  • A degree in science strongly preferred. Financial skills preferred.
 
Timing
  • Start date: asap
  • Working hours: Full-time preferred. Part-time considered.
 
Please Note: For this role we are open to considering more junior applicants provided that they have the desire and motivation to progress and develop.
 

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. 

 

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forwardWe encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

  
 
About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.  

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.  

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page. 

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. Ourvalues are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.  

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us. 

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