The British Government’s Consulate in Houston has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join the UK’s global Science & Innovation Network (SIN) as the Science and Innovation Officer. This is a rewarding role that supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, ensuring the UK continues to be the partner of choice on science and innovation for US organisations, and catalysing research collaborations in subsectors critical to UK and international prosperity and security: Engineering Biology, Quantum, Semiconductors, AI and Compute, Space, Biosecurity, Fusion, Agritech and Food Security, Hydrogen, and Critical Minerals and Batteries.

The Prime Minister has set the goal for the UK to be a science and technology superpower by 2030, building on the UK’s scientific excellence and leading innovative edge. Collaboration with the US, our crucial research partner, is critical to achieving that goal. The Houston-based Science and Innovation Officer is part of a network of S&I officers throughout the US co-ordinated by the British Embassy in Washington, DC. You would report directly to the Head of SIN Houston, working closely with Consulate teams (the Consul General, Deputy Consul General, Department for Business and Trade, and Press, Politics & Public Affairs), as well as with the SIN and Policy teams across the US, to identify and create opportunities for UK science.

The core objective of this position is to represent the UK’s science and innovation interests in the South-Central US, which covers Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado. This region has particular strengths in cleantech, health and life sciences, space, and emerging technologies. This role will also offer the opportunity for you to lead network strategy and planning in the priority subsectors.

The objectives of the UK Government’s Science and Innovation Network in the USA are to:

• Create impactful collaboration in science and innovation between the UK and US government(s), industry and academia
• Inform UK government policy related to science and innovation, and advise on emerging opportunities and challenges for partnering with the US, based on expert first hand insight
• Promote the UK’s world class capabilities in science, innovation and technology, and its role as a key partner for the US

More information on the SIN team in the US can be found here.

The ideal candidate will:

• Experience working in science or technology research or policy
• Have strong written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrate the ability to broker/catalyse partnerships and collaborations
• Show strong interpersonal skills
• Be committed and enthusiastic about the role of science in policymaking, science diplomacy, and its increasing role in international affairs.

In this role, you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, and country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the US. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility, which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible. 

Roles and responsibilities:

• Supporting the Head of SIN Houston in implementing a strategy that influences and promotes UK interests as they pertain to a broad range of S&I sectors and topics across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado with particular regard for SIN’s priority areas.
• Cultivating a strong understanding of S&I strengths across the Houston Consular region in order to proactively seek and stimulate opportunities for high-value collaboration to benefit the UK;
• Providing accurate and detailed information on policy, best practice and horizon-scanning in science, technology and innovation to inform UK stakeholders;
• Compiling and contributing to reports and briefs for UK stakeholders, including: Senior UK scientists, learned societies, UK policy makers, Government Ministers and Parliament;
• Managing projects, visits and events (virtual and physical) relating to science and innovation (including organising meetings and visits for Government ministers, senior Departmental officials, representatives from science/innovation funding agencies, universities);
• Contributing to broader British Consulate-General and SIN US initiatives and programmes in support of UK interests, including the management of consular crises.
• Managing the local team budget, tracking monthly spend and updating forecasts in a timely matter to the finance teams in DC and London.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

This role will manage and direct project and resources adding up to tens of thousands of dollars. 

• Strong communication and influencing skills, capable of effectively interacting with members of the public, science community, and senior government officials;
• Excellent (and demonstrable) written and oral communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise reports, and to present effectively to a range of audiences;
• A demonstrable interest in US science and innovation policy, including an appreciation of the government and congressional landscape
• Highly motivated, organised, and resourceful;
• Effective team player with the ability to deliver quality work at pace;
• Reliable, positive and flexible to new situations and ways of working;
• Prior professional experience in a science, innovation, or related field from an academic, government or corporate background.

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form. You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.