The Vacancy
About CREW
Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) provides accessible, policy-relevant research and expert advice to support Scottish Government and its delivery partners in the development and implementation of water policy.
At the heart of CREW’s work is its position at the science–policy interface, where research is co-constructed with policy needs in mind. CREW emphasises collaborative project management, stakeholder engagement, and effective knowledge exchange.
The CREW team – including the Director, Manager, Project Manager(s), and Impact Officer – works in close partnership with the Scottish Government, its regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, and researchers across Scottish Higher Education Institutions and Research Institutes. Together, we manage and deliver a diverse portfolio of science-policy projects.
Within an overarching consideration of water and society, CREW’s current thematic areas are:
- Hydrological extremes, coasts, and risk management;
- Land and water resource management;
- Water quality and health.
CREW was established in 2011 and is funded by the Scottish Government. The current programme started in April 2022 and is expected to run until 31st March 2027.
About the role:
We are seeking a highly organised and motivated Project Manager to support the delivery of CREW’s 2022-2027 Programme.
The post-holder will act as a key liaison between researchers and project steering groups, ensuring the effective coordination and delivery of high-impact, policy-relevant research outputs for a range of audiences.
The ideal candidate will bring experience in research project management (or a similar coordination role), along with strong organisational abilities, effective communication skills, and the confidence to engage with a wide range of stakeholders across policy, academia, and practice.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, manage, and deliver CREW projects from inception to completion across 1-3 of CREW’s thematic areas.
- Coordinate and foster collaboration between project steering groups, research teams, and delivery partners.
- Organise and facilitate stakeholder meetings, ensuring effective and transparent communication throughout the project lifecycle.
- Monitor project progress, track delivery against agreed objectives and timelines, and maintain accurate records.
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks to ensure successful project delivery.
- Ensure adherence to CREW’s operational guidelines, data protection requirements, and relevant institutional policies.
- Prepare project updates for CREW Management and funders, and contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
- Support the dissemination of project outputs through reports, presentations, events, and other knowledge exchange activities.
- Contribute to wider Centre development, including communications, impact planning, quality assurance, and sharing of best practices.
Experience/Skills
Essential
- Proven experience in project management within a research or policy environment, including scoping, planning, and delivering complex projects.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and respond to competing demands.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- A degree in a relevant field (e.g. public policy, environmental science, social sciences, life sciences, or a related discipline).
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to understand, interpret, and synthesise research or science-policy outputs for diverse audiences.
- High level of attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Leadership or coordination experience, including team management, conflict resolution, and maintaining team cohesion.
- Experience coordinating and chairing meetings, and managing relationships for example with academic, policy, or industry stakeholders.
- Proficiency in project management tools and techniques (e.g. Gantt charts, MS Project, or similar platforms).
Desirable
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, or research impact activities, particularly in a science-policy context.
- Understanding of water policy and its connections to broader environmental, land use, and climate policies, aligned to CREW’s thematic areas.
- Relevant post graduate experience (e.g., MSc, PhD), and/or professional accreditation (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP, Agile).
- Experience working on interdisciplinary and cross-sector initiatives, ideally involving collaboration between academia, government, and industry.
- Familiarity with research governance frameworks, ethical approval processes, and data protection regulations (e.g. GDPR).
You must have the right to work in the UK to be eligible for this position. For further information and to apply please visit www.hutton.ac.uk/Careers.
What We Offer
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.
- Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.
- Pension – Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.
- Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance
Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity
We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.
The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.
The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.
The Company
The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these.
James Hutton (1726 – 1797) was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, an eighteenth century golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements centred on Edinburgh. He is internationally regarded as the founder of modern geology and one of the first scientists to describe the Earth as a living system. His thinking on natural selection influenced Charles Darwin in developing his theory of evolution.
