The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) is seeking an experienced researcher to lead on the design, development and execution of project deliverables focussing on the ethics of extending the 14-day rule for embryo research in the UK. 

The role 

We are on a mission to place ethics at the centre of decisions regarding biomedicine and health so that we all benefit. In this new role, your main focus will be working on our new project looking at the merits of extending the 14-day rule for embryo research in the UK, but will also be expected to work on other projects and policy areas as necessary.   

You will act as an expert on your portfolio within the NCOB and be responsible for project-specific report conception, drafting and delivery, alongside stakeholder management, outreach and impact.  This will include working with communications and public affairs colleagues to deploy communications strategies and creating different forms of content, seeing outputs through from inception to publication and evaluation.  

As an experienced researcher and/or policy professional, you will also be expected to contribute to and support the development and implementation of NCOB’s wider strategic priorities or positions, and manage the work of researchers, external collaborators, and consultants, as required.    

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced researcher or policy professional who is able to use their knowledge in a leading role in the high-profile area of bioethics, supporting our ambitious policy-influencing agenda. 

About you 

You will have expertise and knowledge relating to the practical and ethical issues relating to embryo research in the UK. This will be supported by a broader knowledge and enthusiasm for bioethical issues and the policy, scientific, regulatory and legal environment around these.  

You will have experience of designing, delivering and managing rigorous research projects with a range of research methods that have ethical considerations at the heart of the research and which will have real policy impact.  

You will also be a skilled communicator, with a track record of producing high quality written outputs that have been adapted for different audiences. 

Finally you will be a strategic thinker, with the ability to identify opportunities for impact, and being able to contribute to NCOB’s wider strategy. 

For further information about the role, please click here to download the full job description (PDF).  

About us 

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) is a leading independent policy and research centre, and the foremost bioethics body in the UK. We are on a mission to embed ethics in decisions regarding biomedicine and heath so that we all benefit. 

For over thirty years we have tackled some of the most complex and controversial bioethical issues facing society. We are funded jointly by the Nuffield Foundation, Wellcome and the Medical Research Council.  

We aim to inform policy and public debate through timely consideration of the ethical questions raised by biological and medical research so that the benefits to society are realised in a way that is consistent with public values. Our work has led to shifts in public understanding and policy change on topics ranging from assisted reproduction and genome editing to managing the disagreements that arise in the care of critically ill children. 

Central to our reputation and standing is our independence – we do not represent any particular group or view and we select our own topics, methodologies and outputs.   

We select topics to examine through our horizon scanning programme and use a variety of approaches to identify, consider and resolve the ethical issues they raise. Our approach is multidisciplinary and deliberative. We draw on a wide range of expertise and experience and use the best available evidence. We collaborate where our expertise complements those of other organisations (e.g. see our current collaboration on Genomics and AI Futures with the Ada Lovelace Institute).   

We engage with a wide range of different voices and views and are committed to increasing the diversity of the people we work with. As part of the Nuffield Foundation, we are a small team with the practical support of an established organisation that cares for its employees. 

Find out more at: www.nuffieldbioethics.org   

More information and how to apply 

The closing date for applications is 09:30am (BST) on 31st March 2025 with interviews expected to take place 10th April 2025. 

This is a 12 month fixed term contract - we are open to considering requests for secondment arrangements. Please note that due to the timelines associated with this project the successful candidate should ideally be able to start in May 2025. 

You will be required to complete some questions as part of this application process, and you are also required to upload an up-to-date copy of your CV. The Applied platform lets you save an application and resume it ahead of submitting before the application deadline.  

Should you need to make an application in a different format or require any adjustments as part of the application process, please get in touch with us: recruitment@nuffieldfoundation.org  

We are committed to inclusive working practices and during the application process we commit to:  

• As a Disability Confident employer, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the essential criteria for the job. 

• making any reasonable adjustments – for example providing documents in different formats, arranging for a sign language interpreter for interviews etc   

• paying for travel costs (and any childcare or care costs) for interviews where in-person attendance is required   

Our benefits package includes:   

• Consideration of requests for part time and/or flexible working (eg compressed hours arrangements, job sharing etc)   

• 28 days holiday per annum and all public holidays (with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days).   

• A salary exchange pension scheme that offers employer contributions of up to 11%.   

• Life assurance scheme.   

• Family leave policies that provide an enhanced level of pay.   

• Cycle to work scheme and loans towards season tickets.   

• Frequent opportunities for learning and development (including options for coaching and mentoring, and reading weeks)  

• Support with your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including an employee assistance provider, a private GP service, personal health reviews with Bupa, a will and funeral planning service and a staff network of trained Mental Health First Aiders.  

• Staff peer groups and social networks.