Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO) and Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Salary: £33,590 to £44,500
Closing Date: Monday 14th September 2026, 23:55
Location: Based in one of Defra’s core hubs: Bristol, London, Newcastle, York (with expectation of at least 60% office attendance averaged over a month). Location exceptions will only be considered where the project is in close collaboration with a Defra Public Sector Research Establishment.
Starting Salary: HEO National: £33,590; HEO London: £37,480; SEO National: £41,220; SEO London: £44,500. These fellowships may be eligible for a non-pensionable, non-consolidated Specialist Skills Supplement of £3,000 per annum (pro rata as appropriate).
Contract type: Short-term appointment of up to 12 months, with a minimum of six-month duration, beginning at the earliest 1st April 2027 and to be completed by 30th March 2028. By exception we can offer successful candidates a secondment into Defra (i.e. remain an employee of their present institution) – these will be discussed on an individual basis if successful, including terms and conditions (we would require that your salary be in line with Defra salary bandings).
Number of fellowships available: Approximately 65
About the Fellowship Programme
Defra is here to make our air purer, our water cleaner, our land greener and our food more sustainable. The importance of our work, and the importance of science and analysis to inform that work, has never been greater.
Following the success of the first three years of our fellowship programme, we’re delighted to launch the 4th year of the Defra R&D Fellowship Programme, championed by our Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Anjali Goswami. This programme provides an opportunity for scientists and analysts to gain experience in a policy focused environment and understand how evidence is used within government.
Feedback from our past cohorts of fellows highlights the opportunity the programme has afforded to form new networks and connections, supporting career development, understanding how government works, working at the intersection of science and policy and being involved with research that has real world impact.
Research and innovation are critical for government’s work to reduce risk to the UK, to achieve positive societal, environmental and economic outcomes, and to inform policy. As an R&D Fellow you will work alongside Defra’s existing scientists and analysts to bring relevant and recent research into government activity. This fellowship offers an opportunity to experience working at the evidence-to-policy interface while helping to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by society today.
Our Defra R&D Fellows will use their scientific or analytical skills to work alongside policy and evidence teams on a range of priority and strategic policy issues. Scientists will be expected to have a relevant topic specialism in one of Defra’s areas of work. Analysts will need to demonstrate specialism in an analytical profession but don’t need experience in a Defra policy area. Analyst professions include social and operational research, economics, statistics, and geography.
Fellows will join us on short-term appointments in Defra, for up to 1 year, with salary costs provided by Defra. We aim to onboard most Fellows as a cohort by 1st April 2027, but we can offer flexibility about start date and duration on a case-by-case basis. Fellowships are available on a full time or part time basis, job shares are welcome. All fellowships will end on or before 30th March 2028.
Please note short term contracts are not considered to be fair and open competition under civil service commission rules, so you will not be eligible to apply for internal posts or consider it as part of your continuity of service. You will be eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme but must work for the CS at least 2 years before you are able to benefit from the scheme.
By participating in the Defra R&D Fellowship programme, you will gain skills and experience in project delivery, evidence synthesis, communicating complex information to non-experts, writing for a policy audience, working at pace, and balancing use of policy and evidence in government. You will be involved in work that will have a high impact, and you will benefit from networking with other scientists and analysts, including those in your cohort. You will gain valuable insight into the policy making process in a central government department.
About you
We welcome applications from a range of backgrounds, career stages and experiences. The available roles cover a wide variety of topics and a breadth of skills, so we would encourage applications from a broad range of candidates, including social researchers, economists, statisticians, operational researchers, geographers, engineers, as well as natural and environmental scientists.
As a Defra R&D Fellow, you will have the following qualifications and skills:
- An undergraduate degree, including degree apprenticeships, in a science, engineering, or analytical discipline.
And:
- A postgraduate degree, or expect to have a postgraduate degree before 1st April 2027, in any science, engineering or analytical discipline;
Or:
- Be a chartered engineer or scientist registered by one of the professional institutions licensed by the Engineering Council or by the Science Council;
Or:
- Proven equivalent experience in a relevant science, engineering, or analytical discipline, demonstrated through conducting or applying research or analysis as a subject matter expert in the chosen area of specialism.
For all roles we are looking for candidates to demonstrate the following:
- Experience of working as a researcher and/or in an R&D environment
- Good communication skills; being able to translate science or analysis to both peers and non-specialists
- Evidence of being able to manage your own workload and prioritise
- An ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Experience of delivering sustained projects (e.g. research projects)
For the more senior fellowships, at SEO grade, candidates will also be able to demonstrate the following:
- Experience in project or programme leadership in a science, engineering, or analytical context
- Experience in creating and using networks across organisational boundaries
Things you need to know
Selection process details
We will assess your technical skills, expertise, communication skills, and motivation for the role. You are not expected to already have policy experience, as we will help you to develop these skills during your Fellowship.
Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete an online form including your employment history, qualifications, and a 500-word Personal Statement outlining your relevant experience and skills, and your motivation to join Defra and our Fellowship Programme. We will ask you to select your policy area(s) of interest and to demonstrate your experience in these areas in your personal statement.
We will shortlist applications after the closing date. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with relevant Defra Group Science and Analysis teams. Interviews will be held virtually. Successful candidates will be matched to a Defra project based on experience and expertise. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the specific projects available. Feedback will only be provided to candidates following the interview. Not all successful candidates will be allocated a project but there will be a reserve list held for 1 year.
Webinar
If you would like to find out more about the programme, please join Defra’s Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser Dr. Justine Bejta, for a live online event on Thursday 3rd September from 09:45-10:30. She will be joined by Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Anjali Goswami and several early to mid-career scientists. Joining this event will give you an opportunity to find out more about working at Defra, and a chance to ask any questions. There is no requirement to attend this event before making an application.
Please register your interest here.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
- Expected date of application sifting: 21/09/26 – 02/10/26
- Expected interview date if successful at application sifting: 12/10/26 – 30/10/26
- For analysts, please note that a second interview may be required to assess eligibility for the specialist skills supplement.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact RDF.Recruitment@defra.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- This mailbox is monitored between Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, and candidates should expect a response within two working days.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact RDF.Recruitment@defra.gov.uk
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on your own experience. Plagiarism – including presenting others’ ideas or AI-generated content as your own – may result in withdrawal of applications or disciplinary action for internal candidates. Please refer to our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Artificial intelligence and recruitment, Civil Service Careers
Working for the Civil Service
The Code – Civil Service Commission sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Policy areas you can apply to include:
Analysis
Monitoring and evaluation; social science of public perceptions; modelling including economic and environmental impacts of policy; development of models’ methods and assurance processes; application of data science techniques to policy problems. Analysts may work in central teams (e.g. Central Analysis, Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment, Data Analytics and Science Hub) or specific policy areas.
Agriculture, Food and Farming
Food security, resilience; food authenticity; sustainable agriculture; land use; stakeholder engagement; genetics; agroecology; novel fertilisers; modelling future schemes; ensuring science and evaluation underpins Environmental Land Management.
Animal and Plant Health and Welfare
Animal Health: Animal health and welfare, Exotic and zoonotic animal disease, livestock disease management, Aquatic animal disease management, Economic frameworks for disease control, Genomics, One Health approaches.
Plant Health: Plant, tree, and bee health, Plant varieties and seed policy, bio-surveillance networks, pest and disease management, plant precision breeding, eDNA/ surveillance for plant health.
International Biodiversity and Climate
Ecosystem resilience, nature security, ODA R&D, value of nature, international negotiations, IPBES, nature finance, biodiversity loss and climate change. Monitoring biodiversity, illegal wildlife trade, deforestation impacts.
Circular Economy
Improving circularity beyond recycling; behavioural and societal change, environmental and economic interlinkages, circular economy’s impact on GHG emissions, resource and waste management.
Central Science Division
Strategy and Innovation; Systems Thinking; Centres of excellence e.g. DNA and earth observations; bioengineering.
Biodiversity, Land Use and Investment
National Biodiversity – improving biodiversity outcomes and supporting nature recovery. Land Use – evidence and policy relating to how land is managed and used across England. Forestry, Woodland and Trees – tree planting, woodland management and forestry evidence. Nature Restoration Fund and Protected Sites Strategies – supporting nature recovery through funding and protected site management. Nature Markets and Investment – developing evidence and approaches to attract private and public investment into nature recovery.
Strategy, Governance and Climate
Tackling climate change through adaptation strategies, recognising and enhancing natural capital, supporting resilient rural communities while ensuring we can deliver Defra share of net zero. Improving access to nature, restoring and protecting peatlands, improving soil health, supporting protected landscapes, and setting out our targets and commitments to improving the environment through the Environment Improvement Plan.
Environment Quality, Infrastructure and Planning (EQIP)
Pollution pathways: sources to impacts. Chemicals, pesticides, hazardous waste. Air and noise quality monitoring and delivery. Climate adaptation and resilience. Growth opportunities in environmental management.
Marine and Fisheries
Fisheries science and management plans, Marine biodiversity and monitoring, Offshore wind and marine strategy, Marine protected areas, Pollution response and emergencies, Social research and evaluation.
Water, Floods and CBRN
Water quality and provision, Water management, Flood research, evidence compendiums and emergency response, CBRN environmental remediation.
Policy Response and Resilience Unit
National and Economic Security (including cyber security) Readiness and response, Biological Security strategy, Pandemic Preparedness, Climate Security, Critical National Infrastructure, National Security Risk Assessment.
Nationality requirements
This job is open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
- Further information on nationality requirements
London Based Candidates: A higher level of security is required for candidates that will be based in Defra’s London office. Please refer to the Candidate Pack for further details.
Contact point for applicants:
For any queries, please email RDF.Recruitment@defra.gov.uk
Please see our data privacy statement which explains how Defra will collect and use your personal data.
Fellowship Data Privacy Statement: https://t.ly/kX8s