Technology Futures Lead

We are recruiting for a Technology Futures Lead
About Nesta
We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.
For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.
Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk

Nesta’s Discovery Hub
The Technology Futures Lead sits within Nesta’s Discovery Hub, which systematically scans the horizon for emerging trends, technologies and interventions. Discovery embeds strategic foresight across Nesta’s three missions, uncovering novel insights and helping us test more ambitious ways of achieving our 2030 goals.
The Discovery Hub is highly interdisciplinary, bringing together foresight with data science, qualitative research and innovation methods. For example, our flagship product, Innovation Sweet Spots, uses cutting-edge data science combined with foresight methods to map trends in innovation systems.
Discovery’s thought leadership work encompasses Nesta’s Tech in the Dock series (which evaluates the social benefits of emerging technologies balanced against potential risks) and Signals (which picks out the early stage trends, technologies and ideas set to shape the year to come). Discovery is also home to Nesta’s employee-led innovation offer (known as ‘Distributed Discovery’).

The Role
The Person
Essential skills and experience Extensive experience authoring articles and reports with the ability to distil complex technological or scientific concepts for a generalist audience. Strong analytical skills to engage both with complex academic literature alongside grey literature, and the ability to assess the value of both qualitative and quantitative evidence. Cutting edge knowledge of emerging technologies, particularly as they might relate to Nesta's Missions (i.e.: A Fairer Start, A Sustainable Future and A Healthy Life). Considerable experience of research design, development and delivery, and a good foundation in quantitative research. Professional experience working in at least one of the following types of setting: think tank, policymaking, academia, innovation agencies / funders, management consultancy and / or a research body. Excellent attention to detail, high standards of accuracy and a good completer / finisher. Strong prioritisation, project management and time management skills with the proven ability to contribute to multiple projects simultaneously. Graduate / postgraduate grounding in a relevant field (e.g.: technology, science, science communication, public policy etc.) or equivalent professional experience.
What we offer

**Salary**: £50k
- £62k plus array of benefits, including health cash plans, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more

**Location**: This role is based in London, but we offer some flexibility for our people to work remotely.

**Term**: Permanent

**Hours**: This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do.

**Reports to**: Head of Foresight Research

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.
We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.