Job Description

Lead Horizon Europe National Contact Point- European Research Council (ERC)
Salary: £46,743.
Band: UKRI Band E.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (2 years).
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available).
Location: Swindon, with regular travel to Brussels, Belgium - Hybrid working available.

Closing Date: Thursday 4th June 2026

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.
About the role

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is recruiting a National Contact Point (NCP) for the European Research Council (ERC) to lead the UK’s engagement with Europe’s flagship funding programme for frontier research under Horizon Europe.

Based within the Horizon Europe Engagement Team in UKRI International, the role works closely across UKRI and government to strengthen the UK’s participation in and success with ERC funding. It offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the European research and policy environment, influence programme development, and support the UK research community to access world‑leading funding opportunities.

As a recognised expert, the ERC NCP provides authoritative advice, guidance and practical support to UK applicants and funded projects across all ERC schemes, covering the full project lifecycle. The post leads the delivery of ERC NCP services on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), including oversight and line and/or task management of NCP colleagues. Responsibilities span awareness‑raising, training, policy monitoring, engagement and collaboration with the wider European NCP network. The role involves regular engagement with European institutions and UK partners, contributions to communications and briefings, and requires excellent communication and networking skills, confidence speaking publicly to diverse audiences, and the ability to work autonomously in a fast‑paced environment.

Your responsibilities:

• Provide expert guidance and support to UK organisations across all sectors to help them understand and participate successfully in the European Research Council (ERC) within Horizon Europe and future EU Framework Programmes, in line with European commission NCP principles.
• Manage a diverse and largely self-directed portfolio of work, balancing intelligence-gathering, reporting and stakeholder services to deliver high-impact, added‑value support to the UK research and innovation community.
• Deliver outreach and engagement activities using a range of channels, including events, webinars, briefings, online resources, newsletters and one-to-one support.
• Act as the primary liaison with the European Commission and ERC Executive Agency, attending relevant meetings and working closely with NCP counterparts across Member States and Associated Countries to maintain strong collaborative relationships.
• Monitor and interpret EU research and innovation policy developments, analysing and sharing timely, high-quality intelligence with UK stakeholders.
• Work closely with UKRI councils, DSIT and key stakeholder bodies (such as academies and sector representative organisations) to provide tailored insights and policy support relating to the ERC.
• Contribute actively to the ERC NCP Coordination and Support Action (CSA), delivering agreed activities and outputs.
• Lead and develop colleagues, providing line and/or task management, mentoring and training across the ERC portfolio.
• Operate as a core member of the UKRI Horizon Europe Engagement Team, collaborating across UKRI and DSIT to support joined-up delivery and initiatives to boost UK participation in Horizon Europe.

This is an outline description of the key responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list. The post-holder might be expected to undertake any other duties, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent relevant experience (S).
• A strong understanding of the UK and European research and innovation funding landscape, with experience supporting or enabling engagement in EU research and innovation programmes (S&I).
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, think creatively and analytically to explore new ideas, investigate complex of ambiguous issues and develop clear well-reasoned proposals and practical solutions (S&I).
• Leading and driving projects, demonstrating sound project management and organisational skills, including the use of effective change management mechanisms (S&I).
• The ability to multi-task, work flexibly and to plan, prioritise and manage delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects and activities with different timescales priorities and delivery mechanisms, working individually and as part of a team (S&I).
• Strong written and oral communications skills, including the ability to interpret and present information to a wide range of audiences, with clear and concise messaging and provide advice suitable for senior executives and decision-makers (S&I).
• A demonstrable ability to influence, negotiate and work with people of all levels and internationally to build productive relationships and effective partnerships (S&I).
• Ability to lead, motivate and manage people effectively while contributing constructively within cross‑organisational and matrix teams to achieve collective goals (S&I).

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.
  

Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI

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. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. 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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.