Location: Based in one of Defra’s core hubs: Bristol, London, Newcastle, York (with expectation of attendance at least 60%). 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 three month duration, to be completed by 30th March 2026. 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 jobs available: Approximately 40

 

About the 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 our first fellowship programme we’re delighted to launch the second Defra R&D Fellowship Programme, championed by our Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Gideon Henderson. This programme provides an opportunity for researchers to gain experience in a policy focused environment.

Feedback from our first cohort 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.

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.

Some examples of these Defra policy areas and issues include:

• Analysis – monitoring and evaluation; social science of public perceptions; modelling of policy scenarios including economic and environmental impacts. Analysts include social and operational researchers, economists, statisticians, and geographers. Analysts will be allocated a project that could span Defra’s portfolio and are not required to fall into a topic specialism.
• Agriculture, Food and Farming – food security; food authenticity; land use; stakeholder engagement; genetics; novel fertilisers; modelling future schemes; ensuring science and evaluation underpins Environmental Land Management.
• Animal and Plant Health and Welfare (APHW)- evaluating bio surveillance networks; tree pests and diseases; economic frameworks for managing aquatic animal disease.
• International Biodiversity & climate change- international strategy and emerging markets, sustainable solutions, biodiversity loss and climate change, international science strategy, new technologies for monitoring biodiversity, including plants and fungi, consequences of illegal deforestation, evidence reviews.   
• Marine & Fisheries – Marine species bycatch.
• Natural environment, trees and landscape- assessing pressures and actions needed to support species extinction targets; recovering threatened species; understanding the impacts of river restoration and climate change; assessing areas of concern in regard to pollution e.g. light pollution and pesticides; soil health.
• Resources and Waste – circular economy; reducing plastic waste; improving packaging sustainability.
• Strategy & Innovation– environmental monitoring; centres of excellence e.g. DNA and earth observations; bioengineering.

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 science-to-policy interface while helping to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by society today.

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 2025, but we can offer flexibility about start date and duration on a case-by-case basis, with a minimum of 3 months duration. Fellowships are available on a full time or part time basis. Our Fellowship contracts will end before 30th March 2026.

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.

 

About you:

We welcome applications from a range of backgrounds, career stages and experiences. The available roles cover a wide variety of topics and a breadth of skills, so we would encourage applications from a broad range of candidates, including social scientists, modellers, economists, statisticians, operational researchers, engineers, as well as natural and environmental scientists.

As a Defra R&D Fellow, you will have the following qualifications and skills:

• An undergraduate degree, including degree apprenticeships, in a science, engineering, or analytical discipline.

And:

• A postgraduate degree, or expect to have a postgraduate degree before 1st April 2025, in any science, engineering or analytical discipline;

Or:

• Be a chartered engineer or scientist registered by one of the professional institutions licensed by the Engineering Council or by the Science Council;

Or:

• Demonstrable equivalent experience gained in any relevant science, engineering, or analytical discipline (over 3 years for HEO level and over 5 years for SEO level).

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

 

Things you need to know:

Selection process details
We will assess your technical skills, expertise, communication skills, and motivation for the role. You are not expected to already have policy experience, as we will help you to develop these skills during your Fellowship.

Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete an online form including your employment history, qualifications, and a 500-word Personal Statement outlining your relevant experience and skills, and your motivation to join Defra and our Fellowship Programme. We will ask you to select your policy area(s) of interest and to demonstrate your experience in these areas in your personal statement.

We will shortlist applications after the closing date. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with relevant Defra Group Science and Analysis teams. Interviews will be held virtually.  Successful candidates will be matched to a Defra project based on experience and expertise. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the specific projects available. Feedback will only be provided to candidates following the interview.  Not all successful candidates will be allocated a project but there will be a reserve list held for 1 year.

Webinar
If you would like to find out more about the programme, please join Defra’s Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser, Dr Justine Bejta, for a live online event on Thursday 17th October from 16:00-17:00. She will be joined by Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Gideon Henderson and several early to mid-career scientists. Joining this event will give you an opportunity to find out more about working at Defra, and a chance to ask any questions. There is no requirement to attend this event before making an application.

Please register your interest here: Register for the webinar

 

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected date of application sifting – 5th-18th November

Expected interview date if successful at application sifting – 25th November- 6th December

For analysts, please note that a second interview may be required to assess eligibility for the specialist skills supplement.

Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact RDF.Recruitment@defra.gov.uk  as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• This mailbox is monitored between Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, and candidates should expect a response within two working days.