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Research Fellow

POLICY EXCHANGE LIMITED
London
Full-time
29th March 2026
Listed today

Research Fellow

Job Title: Research Fellow

Location: London.

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience.

Contract Type: Full time.

Start date: As soon as possible.

Closing Date: 29 Mar 2026.

 

About Policy Exchange

Policy Exchange is the UK’s leading think tank. As an educational charity our mission is to develop and promote new policy ideas which deliver better public services, a stronger society and a more dynamic economy. Policy Exchange’s proposals are regularly cited in Parliament and the national media and have been frequently adopted by both Government and political parties in opposition.

Job Details

Policy Exchange is seeking up to 2 talented individuals to join its research team. The role would involve working closely with our experienced Heads of Unit and Senior Fellows across multiple research areas, undertaking in-depth research projects to inform the public policy debate.

We are currently seeking to bolster our research capability across five broad areas:

  • Reform of Government
  • Education
  • Equality and Identity
  • Regulatory Reform
  • Economics

A successful candidate will typically be appointed with a focus on two of these areas, in which they will be able to further develop their expertise, whilst retaining the flexibility to provide support where needed across the research team.

These roles are likely to be most suitable for an individual with 1 – 5 years’ experience in policy and research, or alternatively for an individual with front-line experience in a different, relevant, field seeking to move into policy and research.

Job Role

  • Conducting in-depth research into policies and subjects of public interest.
  • Developing well-evidenced policy recommendations that could be used to effect meaningful change in the public interest.
  • Presenting your research in coherent, well-argued and detailed reports.
  • Communicating key messages and research findings in print and broadcast media.
  • Presenting your ideas in different formats to a range of audiences including Ministers and MPs, civil servants, journalists, academics, policy experts and your colleagues.
  • Helping to organise events hosted at Policy Exchange and the Party Conferences associated with your issue area.
  • Maintaining relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders, including maintaining cross-party dialogue with politicians and policymakers.

The successful applicant will have:

Essential

  • Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences (policymakers, media, general public).
  • A strong interest and understanding of Westminster politics and an understanding of the policy-making process in the United Kingdom.
  • The ability to carry out detailed research using a variety of methods, including literature reviews, Freedom of Information requests, interviews and analysis of public data, amongst others.
  • An inquiring mind, with a keen desire to gain a deep understanding of the public policy landscape and the drive and determination to imagine how things might be improved.
  • An ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
  • A ‘can do’ attitude and an adaptability to meet the requirements of a small, dynamic organisation.

Desirable

  • Either policy-making or front-line experience in one or more of the five research areas of interest.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We value diversity and appoint on merit.

 

Application Details

Please send a copy of your CV and one recent sample of relevant written work to lucy.pope@policyexchange.org.uk by Sunday 29th March 2026.

Please also include a 500-word response to one of the following questions of your choice.

  • How could the performance and effectiveness of the civil service be improved?
  • What should the Department for Education do to reduce poor behaviour in schools?
  • How could the Government most effectively reduce the burden of regulation on business?
  • How should the Equality Act 2010 be reformed?
  • How should the UK address the current increasing non-participation in the labour market?

You are encouraged to apply at the earliest opportunity as w e will begin interviewing and make an appointment as soon as we start receiving applications.