- Salary
- £67k – £79k
- Location
- Edinburgh - Hybrid
- Workplace
- Hybrid
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Education
- Seniority
- Director
Description
Assistant Director, Research & Innovation (Grade M1)
Application Deadline: 25 October 2026
Department: Investment & Research
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Edinburgh - Hybrid
Reporting To: Deputy Director, Research, Innovation & Capital
Compensation: Grade M1 £66,924 to £78,930. Civil Service Pension with Employer Contribution of 28.97%. Flexible Working Hours. Hybrid Working.
Description
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.
Skills
Negotiation