Placement Provider:

The Cabinet Office Open Innovation Team, Department of Health & HM Treasury

Placement Contact:

Dr Louise Davies – Louise.Davies-2@manchester.ac.uk

Location(s) of placement:

London

Start Date:

Spring/Summer 2019

Duration:

Three 3 months – NB due to the length of placements, Tier 4 student s are not eligible to apply.

Work hours each week:

TBC

Deadline for Applications:

25th January 2019

Resources available eg library data, computer, desk etc

All necessary resources will be supplied.

Equality and diversity policy is in place and monitored

Yes

Security clearance required

Yes

Disclosure Barring Service check required

TBC

Description of Placement:

Cabinet Office Open Innovation Team PhD Placement Scheme

The Cabinet Office’s award-winning Open Innovation Team has been established to generate analysis and ideas for priority projects by helping officials collaborate more intensively with academic experts.

We are inviting PhD students to join our team on placement for a minimum of 3 months to help us deliver projects on health, welfare reform, industrial strategy, digital transformation and various other priority areas.

Applications should come in the form of a CV and a short statement of no more than 300 words.

Responsibilities

PhD students working with us on placement will be expected to carry out a range of tasks, including:

• Reviewing evidence to inform policy discussions and help scope out projects

• Generating analysis and policy ideas working alongside officials and outside experts

• Developing project plans to ensure projects remain on track

• Pitching new projects to Whitehall departments and non-government partners

• Managing stakeholders inside and outside Whitehall

• Organising engagement activity, including arranging meetings, university visits and Whitehall policy seminars

Requirements:

Specific Skills/Experience/Training Required for the Placement:

Required skills/experience

We are looking for PhD students who can:

• Communicate well , including translating complex ideas to non-expert audiences

• Manage their time effectively , juggling a variety of tasks with minimal supervision

• Collaborate with a variety of team members, government officials and academics

• Adapt as projects and partners evolve

• Demonstrate an interest in policy and a willingness to learn about new issues

The nature of our work means that we have strong links with other government departments. There is increasing interest in the scheme from departments so we may suggest that some successful applicants join other departments rather than working in the Cabinet Office if both parties agree. For example, the Department of Health is particularly keen to welcome PhD interns with an interest in mental health. Similarly, the Treasury is enthusiastic about bringing in PhD students from economics or related disciplines, particularly those with advanced quantitative skills.

Training and experience expected to be gained through the placement:

The placement will provide an excellent opportunity to:

• Understand more about how Whitehall works and how policy is developed

• Hone writing and communication skills for non-expert audiences

• Develop networks in government , including Cabinet Office and other departments

• Build knowledge of new policy areas

• Apply research skills in a different way , producing outputs that could impact government policy

Financial assistance (if any) offered by the organisation:

Students funded through UKRI can apply for funding through their Research Council. There is full Faculty funding for one non-UKRI-funded student.