The University College London (UCL) Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) is inviting applications for a Policy Fellow, Green Industrial Strategy & Green Finance position in London, United Kingdom. The role offers an opportunity for an experienced policy and research professional to contribute to work on green industrial strategy, green finance, public investment, ecological transition, and mission-oriented economic policy.

The position is based within UCL BEAMS and the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP). It is a full-time, fixed-term appointment for two years, with an immediate start, and offers a salary of £56,431 to £66,437.

The successful candidate will play a central role in developing and implementing a programme focused on the economics of ecological transition in the UK, including work on green industrial strategy, green investment, public finance, financial policy, and the institutions and tools needed to support a just transition.

The application deadline is 25 September 2026.

UCL Policy Fellow, Green Industrial Strategy & Green Finance

The role is designed for a policy and research professional who can work across research, policy development, programme management, communications, and stakeholder engagement.

The successful Policy Fellow will contribute to UCL IIPP’s work examining how governments can use economic policy, public institutions, investment tools, and mission-oriented approaches to support the green transition.

The position combines:

• Policy research
• Programme management
• Green industrial strategy
• Green finance and investment
• Public finance
• Economic research
• Policy communication
• Stakeholder engagement
• Research dissemination
• Government and policymaker engagement
• Strategic programme development

About the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose

The position is located within the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP).

The project underpinning the role brings together several areas of economic and public policy thinking, including:

• Green industrial strategy
• Macroeconomic and macro-financial policy
• Green public finance
• Public investment
• The role of the state as a market creator
• Green finance
• Mission-oriented policies
• The economics of ecological transition

The project seeks to examine the relationship between net-zero investment and economic growth and to contribute to policy thinking around how governments can design and implement policies supporting the transition to a greener economy.

The project builds on work by Professor Mazzucato and Professor Ryan-Collins and aims to challenge UK leaders to develop a strong vision for the transition, maximise the impact of available tools and institutions, and strengthen implementation capacity.

The work combines:

1. Research
2. Teaching
3. Policy practice

The lessons generated through the project will subsequently contribute to the development of a blueprint for delivering net-zero missions across the globe.

Main Purpose of the Policy Fellow Role

The Policy Fellow will contribute to the strategic design and implementation of the programme on the economics of ecological transitions in the UK.

A central part of the position will involve work on the design of a green Industrial Strategy that goes beyond energy.

The role will also involve supporting the implementation of mission-oriented policies connected to the green transition.

The work will include two particularly important areas.

1. Economics of Green Investment and the Green Multiplier

The successful candidate will undertake a deep examination of the economics of green investment and the green multiplier.

A key focus will be understanding how the green transition can contribute to economic growth.

This involves examining the relationship between environmental investment and wider economic outcomes rather than considering the green transition only as an environmental policy issue.

2. Policy Tools and Institutions for the Green Transition

The Policy Fellow will also contribute to policy projects examining the design of tools and institutions that can support the green transition.

Areas specifically identified in the position include:

• National Wealth Fund
• HM Treasury evaluation and accounting approaches
• Green Book
• Fiscal Rules
• Public procurement
• Public/private contracts
• Monetary policy
• Financial regulation

The successful candidate will therefore work across several areas of UK economic and financial policy relevant to the ecological transition.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The position carries substantial programme, research, policy, communication, and stakeholder responsibilities.

Programme Oversight

The Policy Fellow will provide oversight of the new economics of ecological transitions programme.

This includes ownership and responsibility for:

• Programme strategy
• Funding
• Staff
• Day-to-day programme management

The role therefore involves both strategic responsibilities and practical programme delivery.

Developing Green Industrial Strategy and Green Finance Work

The successful candidate will manage and further develop IIPP’s existing policy work relating to:

• New economic thinking
• Green industrial strategy
• Green finance
• Green investment in the UK

This requires the ability to connect research and policy thinking with practical policy development.

International Coordination

The Policy Fellow will coordinate with other ecological transition programmes globally.

The objective will be to identify complementarities and connections between different programmes and policy initiatives.

This gives the role an international dimension despite its primary focus on the UK policy landscape.

Policy Briefs and Op-Eds

The successful candidate will develop and write impactful policy briefs and opinion pieces (op-eds) aimed at a wider audience.

This requires the ability to communicate complex research and policy ideas in a way that is accessible beyond academic audiences.

Research and Policy Outputs

The Policy Fellow will oversee the production of:

• Research outputs
• Policy outputs
• Policy-facing publications

The role therefore combines research oversight with the practical dissemination of findings to policy audiences.

Understanding the UK Policy Landscape

The successful candidate will deploy knowledge of the external UK policy landscape to identify opportunities for greater impact.

This means understanding relevant developments in UK government policy, institutions, economic policy, green investment, and ecological transition.

Stakeholder and Policymaker Relationships

The position involves developing and maintaining strong internal networks and effective relationships with:

• External stakeholders
• Policymakers
• Governments
• Political actors
• Other relevant organisations

The Policy Fellow will also support the IIPP Director and other staff in engaging with governments, politicians, and policymakers.

Internal Strategic Alignment

The successful candidate will engage key stakeholders across IIPP and create proactive strategic alignment across policy areas connected to the UK.

This includes identifying links between different areas of work and supporting collaboration across the institute.

Communications and Research Visibility

The Policy Fellow will develop communications messaging to amplify impactful research, policy activities, and outputs.

This involves translating research and policy work into clear communications that can reach broader audiences.

Media Support

The role will also support the Director’s media activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Producing timely briefings on current events
• Preparing information on IIPP’s positions
• Liaising with press
• Liaising with publishers

This makes strong written communication and the ability to understand current policy developments important components of the position.

Staff Management

The Policy Fellow will also be responsible for managing staff working on the programme.

Therefore, the position includes a people-management component in addition to research and policy responsibilities.

Meetings and Training

The successful candidate will participate in:

• Staff meetings
• Training sessions
• Other relevant activities required by the role

The candidate may also be asked to undertake other duties by the Project Manager or line manager, provided they fall within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the position.

Green Industrial Strategy and the Role

One of the defining features of this opportunity is its focus on green industrial strategy.

The role is not limited to environmental research. It involves examining how economic policy and government institutions can support ecological transition.

The position specifically considers a green Industrial Strategy that goes beyond energy.

This means the work can involve questions concerning:

• Investment
• Economic growth
• Public finance
• Industrial policy
• Government institutions
• Procurement
• Financial regulation
• Monetary policy
• Public/private contracts
• Mission-oriented policy

The Policy Fellow will therefore operate at the intersection of economic policy, public policy, finance, industrial strategy, and ecological transition.

Green Finance and Investment

Green finance and investment form another central part of the role.

The project will examine how financial and public-sector tools can support the transition toward a greener economy.

The position specifically references:

• Green investment
• Green finance
• The green multiplier
• National Wealth Fund
• Fiscal rules
• HM Treasury’s evaluation and accounting approaches
• Monetary policy
• Financial regulation

The successful candidate will contribute to policy work examining how these tools and institutions can be designed and used in support of the green transition.

Policy-Focused Research Environment

The position offers a research environment in which academic research is closely connected to practical policy work.

Rather than focusing exclusively on academic publications, the role involves producing outputs for broader audiences, including:

• Policymakers
• Governments
• Stakeholders
• Media
• Wider public audiences

The successful candidate will therefore be expected to translate research and economic thinking into policy briefs, op-eds, briefings, communications, and other practical outputs.

Salary and Employment Conditions

The advertised salary for the position is:

£56,431–£66,437

The position is:

• Full time
• Fixed term
• Two years
• Hybrid
• Based in London
• Available for immediate start

The role is not available for secondment.

Benefits of Working at UCL

UCL states that the position comes with a range of employment benefits.

Annual Leave

The benefits package includes 41 days of holiday, comprising:

• 27 days annual leave
• 8 bank holidays
• 6 closure days

Pension

Employees can access a defined benefit Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme.

Cycle to Work Scheme

UCL offers a cycle-to-work scheme as part of its employee benefits.

Season Ticket Loan

The university also provides a season ticket loan.

On-Site Nursery

UCL provides access to an on-site nursery.

On-Site Gym

Employees can access an on-site gym.

Enhanced Family Leave

The benefits package includes enhanced:

• Maternity pay
• Paternity pay
• Adoption pay

Employee Assistance

UCL provides an Employee Assistance Programme through its Staff Support Service.

Medical Insurance

The university also offers discounted medical insurance.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at UCL

UCL describes itself as London’s Global University and states that diversity fosters creativity and innovation.

The university says it is committed to:

• Equality of opportunity
• Fairness
• Inclusion
• Creating a community where people belong

UCL particularly encourages applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in its workforce.

The groups specifically mentioned in the vacancy include:

• People from Black backgrounds
• People from Asian backgrounds
• People from ethnic minority backgrounds
• Disabled people
• LGBTQI+ people
• Women for Grade 9 and 10 roles

Applicants should note that the vacancy text does not state a general nationality restriction.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is:

25 September 2026

Applicants should submit their applications before the stated deadline.

Because the position is a professional research and policy role with responsibilities covering programme management, policy development, stakeholder engagement, communications, and staff management, applicants should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates relevant experience.

How to Approach the Application

Candidates interested in the position should ensure that their application demonstrates relevance to the responsibilities outlined in the vacancy.

Relevant experience may include work involving:

• Green industrial strategy
• Green finance
• Economic policy
• Public finance
• Investment policy
• Ecological transition
• Climate policy
• Government policy
• Research and policy analysis
• Policy communication
• Programme management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Government and policymaker engagement
• Research management
• Media or public communications

Applicants should also demonstrate their ability to translate complex research and policy issues into accessible and impactful outputs.

Why This Role Is Distinctive

The Policy Fellow position brings together several professional areas that are often treated separately.

The successful candidate will work across research, economics, policy, programme management, communications, finance, and stakeholder engagement.

The role also connects UK policy work with broader international discussions about ecological transition and net-zero missions.

A major component of the position is therefore the ability to move between academic and policy environments and to turn research and evidence into practical policy outputs.

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Conclusion

The UCL Policy Fellow, Green Industrial Strategy & Green Finance position provides a two-year opportunity to contribute to research and policy work focused on the economics of ecological transition in the United Kingdom.

Based at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, the role will contribute to work on green industrial strategy, green finance, green investment, public finance, mission-oriented policies, and the economic implications of the green transition.

The successful candidate will have responsibilities spanning programme oversight, policy research, research and policy outputs, stakeholder engagement, communications, media support, and staff management. The role also involves engagement with governments, politicians, policymakers, external stakeholders, and global ecological transition programmes.

The position is full time, hybrid, fixed term for two years, with an immediate start and a salary of £56,431–£66,437. UCL also offers a benefits package that includes 41 days of holiday, a defined benefit pension scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, season ticket loan, on-site nursery and gym, enhanced family leave, employee assistance services, and discounted medical insurance.

The application deadline is 25 September 2026.

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