Assistant Director, Research & Innovation


Company:	Scottish Funding Council
Salary:	£66,924 to £78,930 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Edinburgh, EH12 5HD
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 4 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	12 Oct 2026
Closing date:	25 Oct 2026

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Summary

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic professional to join our Investment & Research directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the Scottish Funding Council’s research strategy at a time of significant development and change in the Scottish and UK R&D landscape.

The role provides a unique national vantage point and includes engagement with key stakeholders within the Scottish Government, UK Government and UK Research & Innovation as well as across Scottish institutions. You will work flexibly across a broad range of areas from supporting positive research cultures, to developing cases for investment in research, exploring issues of research financial sustainability, and influencing UK R&D policy.

Key responsibilities

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Research, Innovation and Capital, you will:

1. Lead key areas of SFC research strategy, including but not limited to research sustainability, articulating the value of research, evidence development and contributions to UK R&D policy.

2. Support the Deputy, Director of Research, Innovation & Capital on specific areas of work related to research strategy, research landscape and financial sustainability, as required.

3. Cultivate and maintain positive working links with institutions, the Scottish Government, UK Government and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) including relationship building with relevant stakeholders.

4. Horizon-scan and provide advice, support and guidance to internal and external Scottish stakeholders, producing briefings, reports and papers as required for SFC senior management and key stakeholders.

5. Represent SFC as required, deputising for the Deputy Director and Director where appropriate in external and internal engagements. This may require travel both around Scotland to meet with partners and stakeholders, and in the UK particularly for work with the other funding bodies for research.

6. Support and promote effective working and collaboration across SFC, breaking down organisational silos and facilitating greater project and collaborative work across teams, contributing research & innovation perspectives and input as appropriate. You will manage a team of two people.

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