Policy Analyst / Policy Advisor
What this job does:
Reads, synthesizes, and interprets scientific research to inform government officials, legislators, and organizational leaders about how science relates to public-policy decisions. Monitors emerging research, drafts policy briefs and reports that translate complex scientific topics into accessible language for non-expert audiences, and advises decision-makers on the scientific dimensions of legislation, regulations, or funding priorities.
This job is similar to these lab/research tasks:
Literature review and synthesis, writing grants and thesis chapters that distill complex findings, presenting research to diverse audiences including non-scientists, collaborating across labs
Typical starting salary range
$80k to $145k
Salary estimate represented as 25th to 75th percentile. Gathered from recent job postings, Glassdoor.com, and Salary.com
Daily task breakdown
- Reading and synthesizing scientific literature, reports, and regulatory documents (30%)
- Writing policy briefs, memos, reports, and summaries for non-technical audiences (25%)
- Meetings and briefings with stakeholders, legislators, and agency staff (20%)
- Conducting policy analysis (tracking legislation, quantitative/qualitative analysis) (15%)
- Other: strategic planning, project management, professional development, admin (10%)
Skills you'll use in this job:
Scientific literature synthesis and critical appraisal; policy analysis and evaluation methods; technical and policy writing (briefs, memos, reports); quantitative and qualitative data analysis; legislative and regulatory tracking; translating complex science for non-expert audiences; oral communication and briefing skills; stakeholder engagement; cross-disciplinary collaboration; critical thinking; strategic planning; familiarity with federal research agencies (NIH, NSF, EPA, FDA)
Talk about these PhD skills in your resume and interview:
Talk about your literature review and synthesis experience (mirrors synthesizing science for policy briefs), writing grants and thesis chapters that distill complex findings into structured narratives, presenting research to diverse audiences including non-scientists, interpreting experimental data and drawing evidence-based conclusions, and collaborating across labs on joint projects.
Alternative job titles to search:
Health Science Policy Analyst; Research Policy Advisor; Science & Technology Policy Fellow; Policy Researcher; Legislative Analyst; Program Analyst; Science Policy Associate; Government Affairs Analyst; Regulatory Science Analyst; Environmental Policy Analyst; Science Advisor
*Note:
-Job titles are inconsistent between companies. Try various keywords.
-PhDs tend to undershoot seniority level. Target higher than you think.
