Policy Officer

Job description

About the role

Are you passionate about sustainability, and the future of food? Do you want to work at the intersection of policy and cutting-edge research? Join the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein and Microbial Food Hub at Imperial College London; the regional flagship hub leading the UK's sustainable protein revolution.

Based within the Department of Bioengineering, the Centre connects science, industry, and policy to accelerate the transition toward nutritious, affordable, and sustainable protein solutions. You will play a key role in delivering the Centre's high-profile policy focused research projects, workshops, events and collaborative grants that bring together policy makers, regulators, global leaders, innovators, and researchers.

What you would be doing

In this dynamic role, you will:

• Deliver the Centre's key policy reports; from leading UK ecosystem research and horizon scanning in collaboration with GFI, to working with regulatory groups to best inform innovators.
• Coordinate events such as workshops, conferences, webinars and launches.
• Work closely with the Regulation and Scale-Up Manager and Centre leadership to support the planning and delivery of impact-focused projects.
• Build and maintain networks across Imperial, partner universities, and the wider ecosystem of start-ups industry, and policy stakeholders.
• Work in partnership with organisations such as the Good Food Institute, the Alternative Proteins Association and NFX UK to deliver impactful policy recommendations.
• Work to inform policy makers across predominately the UK and at times EU stakeholders on the science and opportunities surrounding alternative proteins.
• Help capture and report on the Centre's outputs, contributing to its growing visibility as the regional leader driving the sustainable protein transition.
• Representing the Centre at stakeholder meetings and external events.

What we are looking for

We're seeking a proactive, organised and enthusiastic individual who can thrive in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment.

You will have:

• Proven experience writing reports, coordinating events and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and confidence working to deadlines.
• A friendly, professional, and solutions-focused approach.
• Familiarity with alternative proteins, engineering biology, or sustainable food systems.

Desirable:

• A degree in a relevant discipline.
• An understanding of the academic, research, or innovation landscape; ideally within food systems, sustainability, or biotechnology.

• Experience of working on policy in the EU or UK, or at a national or multilateral level, for example in a government, public institution, political party, NGO, think tank, industry association, public affairs agency, consulting firm, lobbying organisation or other relevant institution.
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with scientists, research organisations, and think tanks.
• Experience working on UK or EU policy related to research & innovation, food, biotechnology, or agriculture.

• Experience in science communication.
• A strong network of relevant contacts.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to join a world-class university driving global impact through science and innovation.
• A front-row seat in one of the UK's most ambitious initiatives transforming how we produce and consume food.
• Exposure to major partners across academia, industry and government.

• A collaborative, inclusive and forward-thinking team environment.
• Competitive pay, 39 days annual leave (including public holidays) and a generous pension scheme.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing .

Further information

This is a fixed-term position for 6 months, with potential for extension depending on funding.

If you'd like to learn more about the role, please contact:
John Murphy, Regulation and Scale-Up Manager, Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein
[email protected]

Join us at the forefront of the sustainable protein revolution; where science, innovation and impact meet to shape the future of food.