Government Affairs Associate
Location: Oxford
Work Model: Hybrid (2 days per week on-site)
About Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Oxford Nanopore has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information-rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans, animals, plants, bacteria, viruses, and diseases such as cancer. By enabling biological insights, we strive to improve life on Earth and beyond.
About the Role
Increase the Impact of Groundbreaking Technology Worldwide
Oxford Nanopore is seeking a highly motivated Government Affairs Associate to join our Corporate Affairs team. Our team is dedicated to driving global government affairs while also supporting corporate and internal communications - collectively working to inform, unite and protect.
This international role is crucial for aligning our work to Oxford Nanopore’s key priorities, resulting in increased awareness of, understanding of, and collaboration with the company. You will play a vital part in amplifying the impact of our groundbreaking technology around the world.
The ideal candidate will have an interest in life sciences and a passion for government relationships and influencing, understanding the role of reputation and collaboration in the success of delivering high-impact scientific technology. You will work closely with commercial leadership and corporate teams to support the wider organization in delivering its strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Global Government Engagement and Country Priorities
- Support the development and delivery of government affairs activity across priority regions, aligned to company strategy and growth plans.
- Drive the process to design and deliver senior-level government engagement programmes, including ministerial meetings, official roundtables, and policy dialogues focused on national genomics initiatives.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with junior/mid-level government stakeholders, embassies, trade bodies, and external partners in priority markets.
Deploying UK Government Internationally
- Co-lead initiatives with UK Government partners (including the Office for Life Sciences and Department for Business and Trade) to support overseas ministerial and official engagement.
- Coordinate Oxford Nanopore's participation in trade missions and delegations, ensuring senior leaders are well briefed and positioned.
- Act as a key point of contact between Oxford Nanopore and UK Government teams to triage incoming requests that support international growth.
Policy Monitoring and Upstream Engagement
- Monitor parliamentary, regulatory, and policy developments to help identify risks and opportunities for the business at an early stage.
- Lead the development of briefings and response papers in collaboration with internal experts.
- Prepare senior leaders for meetings with MPs, ministers, and officials, including clear policy “asks” and strategic objectives.
- Represent the company in selected political and policy forums, independently where appropriate.
Narrative, Positioning, and Strategic Alignment
- Work closely with Strategic Communications to help shape and deploy Oxford Nanopore’s global narrative with governments.
- Translate scientific and commercial priorities into clear, credible policy positions that support government engagement worldwide.
Managing External Partners and Capability Building
- Support a network of regional government affairs consultants/agencies with HQ functions.
- Lead regular consultant/agency meetings and ensure intelligence and insights are shared internally.
- Contribute to the continuous development and professionalisation of the Government Affairs function.
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in government affairs, public policy, political engagement, or a closely related field.
- Strong understanding of UK government, parliamentary processes, and the role of government in life sciences, healthcare, or technology.
- Experience engaging with senior government stakeholders (ministers, officials, MPs or equivalents).
- Proven ability to manage complex, multistakeholder projects across geographies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to brief senior leaders clearly and concisely.
Desirable
- Experience working in or with life sciences, healthcare, biotech, or advanced technology sectors.
- Familiarity with UK Government international trade, science, or industrial strategy agendas.
- International government affairs or trade policy experience.
- Experience managing external consultants or agencies.
Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.
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About Us
Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Our goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules including proteins. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments. With a thriving culture of ambition and strong innovation goals, Oxford Nanopore is a UK headquartered company with global operations and customers in more than 125 countries.
What We Do
Our goal is to enable the analysis of anything, anywhere, by anyone. We have developed the world’s first and only nanopore DNA and RNA sequencing platform. It’s a new generation of sequencing technology — the only one to offer: scalability to portable or ultra-high throughput formats, real-time data delivery, and the ability to elucidate rich biological data. We are aiming to disrupt the way that biological analyses are currently performed, and open up new applications that have a profound, positive impact on society. Our devices offer real-time analysis, for rapid insights, in fully scalable formats — from pocket to population scale — and the technology is being used in more than 100 countries worldwide. Founded in 2005 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, the company now employs more than 600 people from multiple disciplines including nanopore science, molecular biology and applications, informatics, engineering, electronics, manufacturing and commercialisation. The management team, led by CEO Dr Gordon Sanghera, has a track record of delivering disruptive technologies to the market.
