The Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA)
Communications and Engagement Manager
Be an Early Applicant
Leads communications and engagement for ARIA research programmes, shaping scientific narratives, creating digital content, and connecting programmes with universities, deep-tech companies, researchers, and stakeholders. The role covers programme launches, science storytelling, ecosystem engagement, external events, and improving communications processes. Candidates need scientific fluency, strong storytelling and technical writing skills, project-management ability, autonomy, accuracy, collaboration, and ideally knowledge of the UK research and innovation landscape.
Salary: £60,000
Bonus: Discretionary
Location: Kings X, London; Tues - Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere
Employment Type: Permanent, full time
Closing Date: 16th October 2026
What you’ll do
Who you are
Benefits
Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry! If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.
Bonus: Discretionary
Location: Kings X, London; Tues - Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere
Employment Type: Permanent, full time
Closing Date: 16th October 2026
About ARIA
ARIA is a R&D funding agency created to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible.
From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.
Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that’s a life-changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role.
Learn more about how we work here.
Role Summary
We are seeking a scientifically fluent, creative Communications and Engagement Manager to help shape how ARIA’s programmes are understood, engaged with, and remembered.
You will lead communications and engagement for a portfolio of ARIA programmes, working in close partnership with Programme Directors, R&D Creators and the Head of Programme Communications and Engagement. Your role will span the full programme lifecycle: helping to build momentum around programme launches and activities; and telling credible, distinctive stories of the research, people, and progress that ARIA enables. This is not a traditional press or corporate communications role. It combines narrative development, science storytelling, and targeted ecosystem engagement.
What you’ll do
The scope of the role will evolve as ARIA continues to grow, but will broadly involve the following:
- Shape the narrative for ARIA’s opportunity spaces and programmes: Partner closely with Programme Directors to distil complex scientific theses into clear, compelling narratives. You aren’t simply translating technical material—you will frame why each opportunity matters, what could become possible and why the right R&D Creators should get involved.
- Drive a step-change in programme storytelling: Develop narrative-led content across owned and earned channels that brings ARIA-funded science to life. You will turn research breakthroughs and programme milestones into stories for wider audiences, drawing directly on the experiences and ambitions of our Creator community.
- Strengthen our programme communications practice: You will help ensure that our outputs are consistent, high-quality and flexible enough to reflect the distinctive character of each programme.
- Build momentum across the R&D ecosystem: Act as an ambassador for ARIA, developing targeted engagement strategies that connect our programmes with the right university labs, deep-tech companies and wider stakeholders. Working closely with Programme Directors, Creators and colleagues across communications, you will use launches, workshops and selected external events to deepen relationships and ensure ARIA is visible where it matters.
Who you are
A successful candidate will bring many of the following skills and experiences:
Essential criteria
- Proven science communications experience: You have experience in science communications, technical writing or a related field, gained in a research institution, startup, scientific publication, specialist agency or comparable environment.
- Scientific fluency: You hold a degree in a scientific field or have equivalent experience working with complex scientific material. You can understand technical nuance and translate it accurately for both specialist and general audiences.
- Creative storytelling: You can identify the compelling narrative within complex research and have a strong track record of producing engaging digital content, including both short and long-form work.
- Autonomy and accountability: We trust you to take ownership of your work, identify what is needed and move projects forward. You can manage competing priorities and resolve potential bottlenecks before they escalate.
- Strong delivery and attention to detail: You have excellent administrative and project-management skills. You understand that accuracy is particularly important when communicating scientific and technical information.
- Agile and collaborative: You learn quickly, adapt readily to new channels and tools, and enjoy working as part of a team in an environment where the right approach may still be taking shape.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of the UK R&D landscape: You understand the organisations, communities and emerging areas shaping UK research and innovation, and are excited by the opportunity to build new connections across them.
- Experience in an early-stage organisation: You have worked in a startup, scale-up or similarly fast-moving environment where priorities evolve and individuals have considerable responsibility.
- Systems thinking: You look beyond individual outputs to improve the processes, tools and ways of working that support consistently strong communications.
Above all, you are motivated by the potential of science to improve the world and excited by the opportunity to help build ARIA into a distinctive and trusted presence within the scientific community.
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
- Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
- Discretionary bonus
- Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave arrangements
- A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
- Life Assurance
- 2 days of paid volunteer days
- 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
- Cycle to Work scheme
- An excellent office location in Kings X, London
Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry! If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.
ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility. You can read our policy here. Our research and development activity will abide by the 3Rs principle. You can read about those here.
The Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) United Kingdom Office
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