In Defra, we address a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and lead responsibility for protection from natural threats and hazards.
This role sits in the Resources and Waste Directorate, working across Resources and Waste policy.
The Policy Context
Resources and Waste goes to the heart of how society interacts with goods and services, from material extraction, industrial production through to how materials are ultimately managed as waste. Material resource use is fundamental to how our society functions and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions as well as other environmental impacts such as biodiversity loss. The Government’s commitment to transition towards a circular economy, moving away from the current linear 'take, make, throw' economic model signals the path for England to become a world leader in using resources efficiently and reducing the amount of waste it produces and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
The Team
The Resources and Waste – Evidence and Analysis team is a friendly, multidisciplinary team of economists, statisticians, scientists, operational researchers, and social researchers working together to provide scientific and analytical advice and support for current and future policy making.
The Role
As a Higher Scientific Officer you will provide science expertise to support current and future Defra plastics and materials policy ensuring that policy development is based on sound science. The role will work closely with Defra plastic policy colleagues, analysts and other scientists to support current plastics policy and anticipate future research priorities. You will contribute to the development of a scientific evidence base (including national and international literature), identifying, addressing and prioritising gaps (e.g., through in-house and commissioned work), and in horizon scanning.
What will the successful candidate be doing?
* Take responsibility for research, evidence-base building and communicating outcomes in certain areas such as microplastics, bio-based plastics, biodegradable & compostable plastics, eco-design and material circularity, for example.
* Lead collaborative research projects to fill identified evidence gaps, working closely with policy and analysis colleagues.
* Support development of systems and evidence maps for plastics throughout the economy, helping to identify where levers exist, building on work that exists in this space.
* Contribute to the collation and synthesis of evidence to support the development of a strategic evidence plan to inform, influence and support policy priorities.
* Be adaptable, ready to change focus to meet emerging and strategic priorities for Resources and Waste and be proactive, ready to learn and engage with new topics.
* Build and maintain a network of experts from across industry, academia, the third sector and government to ensure policy advice and public lines are based on the best available evidence.
* Communicate clearly across professions at all levels of the organisation, adapting communication style to be audience appropriate.
* Build and maintain your internal network working exceptionally well with policy, evidence and delivery colleagues to agree priorities, achieve timely delivery of evidence, design and oversee qualitative and quantitative projects providing scientific insights to support policy and delivery decisions across Resources & Waste and to communicate the analysis effectively to various audiences.
The role will specialise in plastics but will also need to work across wider policy priorities according to business need, in agreement with the line manager and the Head of Resources & Waste Science. This may include, but not limited to, contributing to wider materials research, Circular Economy, Net Zero and resource efficiency.
If you are new to Resources & Waste, there are a wide range of learning and development opportunities designed to support your knowledge and understanding.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
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About Disability Confident
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