What we do

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is a place where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering.
One of Europe&rsquo;s largest research organisations, we&rsquo;re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we&rsquo;re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology.
There are many routes into STFC and diverse career paths to follow. Wherever you join us, you&rsquo;ll belong to a community of experts whose work is helping to shape societies, strengthen economies and transform lives.

What we stand for

The work we do helps to shape societies, strengthen economies, build industries, create jobs and transform lives. 

What you'll get

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Communications and Engagement Officer Salary: Band D - 34,905 per annum Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants) Contract Type: Open Ended Location: STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society. Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity. About the Role We are looking for a talented communicator, with a flair for developing engaging content for internal and external audiences and a keen interest in space. RAL Space is the UK’s national space lab, leading science research and technology development for a diverse programme including space science and exploration, resilient society, and Earth observation. The role is part of RAL Space’s small communications team which connects across our department and captivates our audiences through compelling storytelling. This role will be responsible for internal communication, connecting our staff with each other, our purpose and with the information they need to do their jobs. We’re going through a period of transformation in the ways we work together, and this role will play an important part in implementing this. The role will also support RAL Space’s stakeholder engagement programme. We deliver over 200 visits and events each year, engaging with academia, businesses, government and the general public. This role will ensure an excellent visitor experience and will also work with our business development team to promote the RAL Space brand at external conferences and exhibitions. Our website is an important front door for RAL Space and will be moving to a new platform in 2025. This role will manage that process in a timely way, alongside the STFC web support team, shaping user experience and producing and commissioning new content. UK Research and Innovation recognises and values employees as individuals. We aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, defined benefit pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and other benefits. Responsibilities 30% Internal comms Support RAL Space transformation programme Ownership of the RAL Space internal staff portal, the 'Hub’ Deliver the RAL Space newsletter and develop content for staff talks Develop internal comms messaging and channels Evaluate and improve internal comms activities 70% Stakeholder engagement Coordinate visits Improve visits processes Maintain visits records Events - some onsite event support, all offsite events support working with BID Liaising on brand, messaging, collateral, displays Liaising with RAL Space staff attending events, providing briefing materials Develop marketing brochures and collateral - designing, commissioning, maintaining and ordering Lead on the development of a new RAL Space website Person Specification We are looking for someone to join the team with great interpersonal skills who will be able to quickly get to grips with complex subject matter and build relationships across the RAL Space. Part of our role is to understand our audiences, improve our channels and to proactively seek out stories and to provide advice and support to our staff to help them share their work in the more effective way. This role offers the opportunity to apply and develop a broad communications skillset in a fascinating subject area. The successful candidate will need to be adept at managing multiple projects and supporting the work of the wider team. Although the topics and projects undertaken in the department are by their nature technical, a detailed technical or scientific background is not expected but an appreciation of science and a readiness to learn will be very important. The following criteria will be assessed at either shortlisting (S), interview (I), or both (S&amp;I): Educated to degree level or with relevant equivalent experience (S) Excellent communication skills, both written and oral (S&amp;I) Excellent interpersonal skills (I) Experience of planning, delivering, and evaluating communications campaigns (S&amp;I) Experience managing and creating web content and working with creative suppliers Experience managing and delivering small projects and events demonstrating good team working and organisational skills (S&amp;I) Aptitude for or a willingness to learn to use digital tools including creative media packages, such as InDesign and PremierPro, web editing tools such as WordPress (S) Enthusiasm for space, science and communications (S&amp;I) We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another. As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn - about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.

Communications and Engagement Officer

Job Title: Impact and Engagement Officer Salary: 34,905 to 37,173 gross per annum (Dependent on skills and experience) Hours: Full time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants) Contract Type: 12 Months Fixed Term Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington OR Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity. About the Role As an Impact &amp; Engagement Officer you will be responsible for shaping and implementing the marketing strategy for STFC’s offering to businesses. You will have a particular focus on creating compelling and solution led content that will simplify our offering. We are looking for a &quot;story teller&quot; with good listening skills who is comfortable working with different skillsets in order to extract key messages. Our work is funded by government and measured on the impact our support has on UK economic growth, for example, the development of new disruptive technology, job creation and business growth. Therefore, the capturing and communicating of good news from the companies we work with back to government is crucial to the work the team delivers. Knowledge of working with a PR company and/or media and press is advantageous. Key Responsibilities • Maximise engagement with our programmes by contributing in the upkeep of our social media channels and work closely with STFC’s communications team to raise the profile of STFC across various key sectors. These include; space, automotive, health tech, digital and energy. • Develop good relationships and working proactively with colleagues across multiple teams, predominantly from within the directorate but also across STFC and UK Research &amp; Innovation, our parent organisation, to ensure that we deliver a joined-up marketing plan that supports the organisation’s strategic objectives. • Work closely with a small number of Joint Venture partners to raise the profile of the &quot;campuses&quot; in Oxfordshire, Liverpool City Region and Edinburgh - exciting ecosystems formed alongside the UK’s large scientific facilities, where scientists, spin-outs, SMEs, corporates and partner organisations come together to work on ground breaking technology - both regionally and nationally. In addition, the Impact &amp; Engagement team • Represent STFC when working with other partner organisations for whom we run business incubation initiatives, including the European Space Agency (ESA) and CERN. The role requires problem solving and adaptive thinking, as well as resilience and the ability to use your knowledge and experience to build trust amongst your peers in order to influence and persuade. Drive and passion for marketing and STFC’s work are required, as well as a focus on achieving our goals as a team. Person Specification • Experience in &quot;story telling&quot; and creating engaging content • Writing skills and the ability to simplify complicated information and tailor for different audiences • Experience/involvement in digital campaign management • Experience of working with a PR company or directly with media sources e.g. editors and writers • Social media account management experience for business use • Excellent writing and communication skills • Team player but also able to use initiative • Passionate about marketing • Ability to prioritise a busy workload • Proactive and motivated • Flexible and adaptable Benefits Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits including a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Join us and discover what’s possible! How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience’ section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.