Research Development Partner

Location While this role is home-based there will be the requirement for some travel to/within Scotland. Application Deadline Monday, September 8, 2025 Vacancy Type Full Time Fixed Term Job Profile Job Profile document

Salary £50,222 - £55,802 Duration if FTC 18 months Job Summary

The Research Development Partnerwill play a pivotal role within the Research & Evaluation Team, working strategically and collaboratively across Zero Waste Scotland and with external stakeholders and partners to support and advance research activities. This includes identifying opportunities to meet research needs, facilitating partnerships and networks, sourcing funding opportunities, and ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.

Key responsibilities include providing expert guidance on funding opportunities, supporting the development of grant applications, supporting research projects from inception through to delivery, and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical background in research or evaluation, with proven experience in stakeholder engagement and securing successful funding bids.

Working closely with theHead of Research and Evaluation, senior leadership and the Strategic Opportunities Unit, the postholder will contribute to the strategic development of Zero Waste Scotland's evidence and knowledge programme-driven by research, monitoring, evaluation, and innovation.

As a core member of the Research & Evaluation Team, the role will also contribute to cross-organisational transformation initiatives, supporting operational excellence and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

The Research Development Partner will be expected to role modelZero Waste Scotland's core values, demonstrating leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability and innovation.

We want you if;

Essential:

• Degree qualified or equivalent in a relevant discipline

• Demonstrable experience of excellent interdisciplinary collegiate and collaborative working

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills which meet the needs of different audiences

• Knowledge of research methodologies and funding landscape

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Proven track record of delivery against strategy and plans, effectively managing resource and timescales

• Demonstrable success in building trust and forging effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners to achieve results.

• Knowledge of evidence excellence standards, ethics and other relevant policies and regulatory requirements necessary for research development and support

• Strong organisational and planning skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.

• Ability to adapt to new technologies and methodologies in a dynamic research environment.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of circular economy economics, research and practice.

• Experience of undertaking research and developing and implementing workable solutions and actionable insights

What you'll be doing;

• Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and partner organisations to expand knowledge networks across diverse evidence, insight, and research domains.
  • Develop and implement a strategic engagement plan to strengthen national and international collaborations, aligning research opportunities to organisational needs.
• Research Development & Funding
  • Identify and assess national and international funding opportunities to support research initiatives.
  • Proactively communicate funding prospects across the organisation and facilitate upskilling opportunities for colleagues where appropriate.
  • Provide expert support for research grant applications, including proposal development, grant writing advice, and coordination of multi-disciplinary and collaborative bids.
• Innovation & Horizon Scanning
  • Monitor and analyse emerging trends and technical developments in relevant fields across the UK and internationally.
  • Use insights to inform organisational research strategies, horizon scanning, and innovation planning.
• Project & Contract Management
  • Oversee the administration and contract management of funded research projects where required, ensuring compliance with financial, legal, and regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure all research activities adhere to internal and external compliance standards.
• Governance & Risk Management
  • Take a proactive approach to identifying and managing risks, escalating issues as necessary.
  • Ensure full compliance with Zero Waste Scotland's policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Champion excellence, effectiveness, and efficiency in the delivery and embedding of transformation projects across the organisation's evidence and knowledge functions.

About Zero Waste Scotland

Zero Waste Scotland is Scotland's circular economy public body. Since 2014, our work has helped more people understand that the answer to the climate emergency is to consume less. Through an expansive range of projects and programmes, our innovative work has shown that embedding circular practices is as possible as it is essential. Through sharing this knowledge, nurturing relationships, and fostering bold collaboration, we're in a truly unique position to influence this vital change.

Here at Zero Waste Scotland, we value our people and are committed to nurturing and supporting them to learn, grow and develop so we can focus our efforts and be a collective force of unique colleagues creating positive change. As an accredited Investors in Diversity organisation, we are committed to embedding FREDIE principles (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) across all that we do at Zero Waste Scotland.

Why work for us

Here at Zero Waste Scotland we value our people. Colleagues are supported and encouraged to grow and develop so we can all focus our efforts and be a collective force for positive change. We want to offer the best experience to all our colleagues, ensuring everyone is supported and empowered to be their best self at work and thrive.

We champion our diverse and inclusive culture, fostering a positive working environment where we all feel safe to be our true professional selves; where we are treated fairly; where there is space to ask questions, to respectfully challenge one another and to share our thoughts and ideas.

To find out more, clickhere to visit our 'Why work for us' page.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates and encourage you to talk to us about your preferred hours of work. We'll do our best to accommodate.

We offer competitive pay and benefits to support you and your family, including a contributory pension scheme,life assurance, wellbeing support, flexible working, generous holidays, enhanced family leave entitlements, continuing professional development (CPD) and volunteering opportunities.

For us, work isn't a place we go, but a thing we do so we fully embrace flexibility and encourage you to choose home working where the role allows. While this role is home-based there may be the requirement for some travel to/within Scotland. There willbe times when you're required to attend our Stirling office or a client location (normally within the Central Belt of Scotland) therefore to allow for ease of travel, applicants should live within Scotland or North of England. The office is located next to the railway station and is conveniently accessed from across central Scotland.

No agencies thank you.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS23:45 ON THE CLOSING DATE SHOWN.