We recruit for both senior and public appointments. These include members of the UKRI Board, Executive Chairs, part-time office holders and all other senior roles across UKRI at Band X and Y (equivalent to Senior Civil Service).
We employ a strong focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring recruitment that is diverse, fair and open, creating equal opportunity at all times. Public appointments are ultimately made by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Director of Research and Innovation, Natural Environment Research Council
- Closing date
- 2 November 2025
- Salary
- £94,931 to £117,800 each year
- Contract type
- Flexible options based around the successful candidates’ preferences and current professional commitments, including fixed-term, secondment, and permanent contract as well as hybrid working arrangements.
- The minimum commitment duration is 36 months.
- Hours
- Minimum hours required is 0.8 FTE (Full FTE 37 hours) per week.
- Grade
- Band X
- Interview date
- 26 November 2025
Are you a visionary leader, ready to inspire change in the environmental community?
We are seeking a dynamic, creative environmental science research leader with standing in the profession who thrives on making a difference in the science community and turning complex challenges into opportunities.
This isn’t just another role, it’s your chance to place cutting edge environmental science at the very heart of green growth and government priorities.
Read the Director of Research and Innovation candidate pack.
Apply for Director of Research and Innovation.
Deputy Director, External Affairs and Communications
- Closing date
- 2 November 2025
- Salary
- £94,931 to £117,800 (plus £5,385 London Allowance) each year, dependent on skills and experience (this is the full-time equivalent, actual salary will be pro rata for part-time hours).
- Contract type
- Open-ended
- Hours
- Full or part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
- Grade
- Band X
- Interview date
- 3 November 2025
The Deputy Director, External Affairs and Communications plays a pivotal leadership role within the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Communications function. They are responsible for shaping and delivering an integrated communications and engagement strategy that enhances the organisation’s visibility, credibility and influence.
This role is central to creating awareness and understanding of UKRI’s mission, impact, and priorities. The role will develop and lead high-impact campaigns, proactive external affairs strategies, and effective communications to support UKRI’s organisational goals and narrative.
Read the Deputy Director, External Affairs and Communications candidate pack.
Chief Operating Officer, British Antarctic Survey
- Closing date
- 9am on 10 November 2025
- Salary
- £94,931 to £117,800
- Contract type
- Open-ended
- Hours
- Full time, based in Cambridge
- Grade
- Band X
- Interview date
- Week commencing 24 November 2025
- Outcomes communicated
- To be confirmed
This is an exciting and transformative time to join the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). As we navigate unprecedented changes in climate, biodiversity, and natural resources, your leadership as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be pivotal to steer our scientific endeavours and amplify their impact on a global scale.
The COO at BAS is a role of profound responsibility and opportunity, providing a significant role within our Executive Leadership Team. The COO will lead and transform BAS’s strategic leadership across core functions including:
- transformation and strategy
- IT and cybersecurity
- finance
- HR
- health and safety
- risk and assurance
- the Environment Office
The COO works in close partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research and Innovation and government stakeholders. The role requires an excellent communicator who inspires confidence and has the ability to proactively engage at the interface of professional, academic and government communities.
As COO, you will play a critical enabling role in BAS to deliver our Strategy 2024-2034. The strategy is designed to address the accelerating pace of environmental change and urgent need to understand and mitigate the major changes occurring in the polar regions and their global repercussions.
We are seeking an exceptional leader with a proven track record of driving large-scale organisational and system change to be responsible for:
- strengthening our operational resilience
- accelerating digital transformation
- embedding sustainability
- nurturing a culture of safety, inclusion and excellence
Last updated: 22 October 2025