1332 - Foresight Researcher (12 Months Maternity Leave Cover)

The Ministry of Justice Science Office is dedicated to embedding scientific rigour at the core of decision-making, strengthening the department's overall science capability, and driving impactful, evidence-based policy. As part of the Analysis Directorate within the Performance, Strategy, and Analysis group, the Science Office consists of three specialised sub-teams: Science Delivery, Research, Relationships & Commissioning, and Futures, Insights & Emerging Technology. Post-holders will support a range of strategic functions, including shaping and coordinating policy or strategy, supporting senior colleagues with delivery of their priorities, and planning and delivering pilots and projects. Post-holders will work with policy and analysis teams across HMPPS, MOJ, other government departments, devolved administrations and delivery partners to deliver a compelling vision and outcomes that meet the Department's ambitions on science. As a close-knit team, the Science Office operates with flexibility to meet departmental needs. While your primary focus will be in the Science Delivery team, you'll also have occasional opportunities to work alongside colleagues in the other sub-teams, gaining exposure to diverse areas such as research commissioning and emerging technology, depending on organisational priorities and demand. This collaborative approach enables a dynamic work environment where scientific expertise directly supports and influences real-world justice outcomes About the Role: Are you passionate about untangling the uncertainties of tomorrow and discovering insights that can redefine government strategy? Do you thrive at the dynamic intersection of science, technology, and strategic foresight? The Ministry of Justice Science Office is searching for an inquisitive and proactive Foresight Researcher/Strategist to join our small but mighty Futures, Insights, and Emerging Technology team. In this role, you'll be a cornerstone in our efforts to anticipate future challenges, evaluate the potential of emerging technologies, and identify breakthrough opportunities for innovation. Your work will directly contribute to strengthening the security and resilience of the justice system, empowering it to adapt and excel in an increasingly complex world. What you'll do:

• Scientific perspective: Design, lead and apply a science and evidence-based approach to inform justice system policies and strategies.
• Foresight Research: Conduct in-depth research and analysis on future risks, trends, societal shifts, and emerging technologies that have the potential to impact the delivery of HMPPS/MOJ strategic priorities. This will require mobilising the breadth of knowledge generated within the agency as well as external academic, scientific or private sources. This will also entail design and development of foresight models, consistently exploring and identifying new research methodologies, applying quantitative and qualitative data and insight analysis methods.
• Generate Insight: Identify key insights from complex data and trends to shape evidence-based recommendations for the Ministry's strategic priorities.
• Design Strategic Scenarios: Create future scenarios based on foresight findings to inform strategic planning and policy development within the justice system.
• Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with internal and external science, research and industry stakeholders across the justice sector, academia, and technology fields to gather diverse perspectives and enhance foresight initiatives through workshops, hacks and other engagement sessions. Consistently build relationships and partnerships in order to operationalise Futures Thinking and scientific methodologies as a regular practice in the department's culture, ensure they are supported through necessary channels to incubate new ideas and apply new methodologies.
• Explore Emerging Technology: Evaluate the potential impact of emerging technologies on the Ministry's operations, policies, and justice outcomes, ensuring foresight work is grounded in practical, real-world applications.
• Communicate Insightfully: Rapidly distil complex ideas and scenarios into clear, visually engaging, compelling reports, briefings, and presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences and senior stakeholders.
• Innovate with Tech: identify and shape new product and service ideas for the justice system based on emerging technology findings that could be taken into R&D
• Engage in Full Project Lifecycle: Work across the innovation and project development lifecycle, from identification of customers and engagement of stakeholders to the development and delivery of innovative interventions designed to improve or transform the justice system via new technology
• Design and Prepare to Prototype/pilot Technology Concepts: create new product or service ideas based on strategic findings, develop concept propositions with a convincing "case for change" to be taken into pilots