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Policy and Research Assistant

Details


1121620


UCL


23/11/2026


Other - See Job


14.6


Smart Casual

Pay


£20.98


£3.93

Description

Role

Unitemps are recruiting for a Policy and Research Assistant within the STEapp department. The role is to work the date of Monday 23rd November 2026 and will run until Friday 8th January 2027 part time at 14.6 hours per week . Payment is set at £20.98 + holiday pay per hour and the role will be HYBRID based.

The Policy Impact Unit (PIU) based at University College London is seeking a Policy and Research Assistant for a period of 6 weeks at two days per week, to help us drive a new policy area within our existing work on Circular Economy and Net Zero. Working as part of our Policy Team, you will contribute to an exciting portfolio focused on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
 
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, that are widely used in a range of consumer, commercial and industrial products, including cookware, textiles, food packaging, cosmetics, electronics, aerospace applications and firefighting foams. Due to their widespread use and persistence, PFAS have been detected in water, air, soil and wildlife around the world. They have also been found at varying levels in people, food products and environmental systems. International research is continuing to improve understanding of the potential risks PFAS pose to human health, as well as how they can be more effectively detected, removed, managed and safely disposed of.

Duties and responsibilities

  • Scoping and planning a Policy Brief on PFAS, drawing on research insights from across UCL Faculty of Engineering. This will include undertaking targeted desk research, reviewing relevant literature, scanning the policy landscape to ensure the brief is evidence-based and policy-relevant and working with the Policy Adviser to define policy impact objectives
  • Lead the drafting and development of the Policy Brief, translating research evidence into a clear, accessible narrative with practical and actionable recommendations for policymakers and wider stakeholders.
  • Engage and collaborate with academic researchers across the Faculty of Engineering, including mapping relevant expertise, coordinating one-to-one and group discussions, developing discussion guides, and synthesising insights to inform the brief's content and recommendations.
  • Develop and implement a communications and dissemination plan to maximise the reach, engagement and real-world impact of the Policy Brief.

Skills and experience

  • Experience conducting desk-based research, synthesising literature, and evaluating evidence from a range of sources.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex technical concepts into accessible language for diverse audiences and produce high-quality written publications.
  • Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work both collaboratively and independently, and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines.
  • Experience of authoring reports, briefings, publications, blogs, news stories or other written outputs.
  • Experience of stakeholder engagement and relationship building.
  • A good understanding to the UK political system and policy formulation processes.

Desirable

  • Experience using design tools (e.g. Canva, Adobe InDesign or Illustrator) to produce visually engaging reports, develop infographics, and communicate insights and data effectively
  • Interest in public policy, policy engagement or science communication.
  • Some knowledge of PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ or interest in this topic.

Location
Hybrid (min 1 day a week Tuesday/Wednesday)

Additional information

Please note to be eligible to work within this role, you must have the right to work in the UK, be physically based in the UK and be able to travel to our London based office for a RTW check (if required). This job will close for applications at 11.59pm on 5th November 2026. Interviews will be held shortly after.

Unitemps reserves the right to close this advert for applications prior to the date specified above, if a high volume of suitable applications are received.

If you have a full-time contract of employment with UCL, you are not able to work through UCL Unitemps at the same time.

Unitemps payroll is monthly, one month in arrears, please see the payroll dates here.

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