Lead Horizon Europe National Contact Point (ERC)

Job summary

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

Job description

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.

Person 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

Alongside your salary of £46,743, UK Research and Innovation contributes £13,541 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : UKRI Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org