UK policy jobs

Smart Thinking Jobs brings together all the policy and think tank job opportunities currently on offer in the UK. We specialise in research roles as well as other careers in the policy world such as communications, fundraising and events. Whether you are looking for your next role or you are an employer and want to get your advert in front of the best candidates, our specialised jobs board is the right place to start your search.

Over the past five years Smart Thinking Jobs has built a highly targeted audience that is specifically looking to work for think tanks and other organisations with a policy focus. Alongside think tanks, previous organisations to have advertised with us have included research institutions and universities, charities and NGOs, government bodies, trade associations and public affairs companies. Our jobs board alongside our weekly jobs newsletter gets your advert in front of the right people, saving you time and money.

The think tank and policy world is small so it is vital that your advert reaches the right people. Smart Thinking has been partnering with UK think tanks for 8+ years and is known throughout the sector

To ensure your advert is actively reaching potential candidates we send a weekly newsletter sharing all the latest roles currently available.

We attract over 6,000 unique users to the jobs pages each month, putting your advert in front of many potential candidates

If, for whatever reason, your advert is unsuccessful the first time we will happily rerun it for you for free!

Hannah McCulloch, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

I am interested in

We offer two different types of job advert – our standard or premium package. All job adverts have an unlimited time on the jobs board, are included in at least two weekly newsletters (once when first posted and shortly before their closing date) and shared across our social media channels. A premium advert will also be listed at the top of the jobs board, be the ‘Featured job’ in the weekly newsletter and will be shared three times across social media.

Standard listing

£179+VAT

Our standard advert gives you unlimited time on the jobs board and mentions in the weekly newsletter and across social media

Premium listing

£279+VAT

Our premium advert offers priority listing on the jobs board, a featured slot in the weekly newsletter and multiple mentions on social media

Bespoke packages

£POA

A number of advertisers choose to buy a block of adverts, at a discounted price, to use when they are needed. There are no time limits on these credits.


Recruiting on Smart Thinking


Internships are a crucial route through which many young people get their start in think tanks. Smart Thinking works closely with a number of UK universities to encourage people to consider the policy world as a future career choice.

As part of this work we are listed on many university careers pages and have provided a raft of resources on this site to help those starting out on their think tank career. We also offer employers the opportunity to list any internship on the site for free. If you have an internship you would like posted then get in touch and we can arrange that for you!