Applications are invited from highly motivated PhD candidates to undertake a 3 month internship to undertake research to inform the strategy and practice of Innovate UK and ESRC. The intern will contribute to the emerging work streams of the Innovation Caucus which include but are not limited to the Industrial Strategy, Innovation in the Social Sciences, Innovation Funding/Finance in the UK and Benchmarking International Best Practice.

The internship would primarily be based around a mini-project proposed by the intern and agreed with Innovate UK and the ESRC relating to one of the priority areas of the Innovation Caucus. In addition the intern could also: 1) undertake evidence reviews of appropriate literature and ongoing academic debates to be presented for non-academic audiences; 2) develop outputs targeted at Innovate UK staff to increase and promote their understanding and awareness of the social sciences; 3) organise and facilitate events designed to communicate insights from social science research about innovation.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who relishes the chance to work on cutting edge research. S/he will have experience of dealing with rapid change and be comfortable adjusting and amending plans and strategies to accommodate new opportunities and respond to events, a strong commitment to social science research and will be self-confident and happy to act as an effective ambassador. The intern will work with Professor Tim Vorley as the lead for the Innovation Caucus.