Institute of physics jobs

The IOP is a friendly and ambitious organisation. Inclusion and diversity are central to our work and we have a ‘work anywhere’ policy to make working at the IOP as flexible as possible. Looking after our colleagues and supporting them in life and work is our priority, ensuring they can live their best lives, with competitive salaries, professional development opportunities and generous benefits.

Our comprehensive benefits package including:

• An excellent pension scheme - (up to 12% company contribution)
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, dental insurance, health care cash plan (via salary sacrifice) eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards, employee assistance programme
• Floating bank holidays (choose where to take your bank holidays throughout the year)
• Generous annual leave (25 days starting as a standard)
• Flexible working and much more!

The Role

What will I be doing?

• Supporting the Manager- Teaching Workforce in the development of a report on Recruitment, Retention and Retraining physics teachers in further education
• Supporting the development of relationships with key stakeholders in the education sector, including curating key networks such as the Initial Teaching Training community
• Undertaking activities to support the development of a robust research and evidence base around: the factors underpinning the health of the physics teaching workforce and how best to create the conditions for this to thrive

Projects you work on may include:

• Curating and supporting stakeholder networks, including the Initial Teacher community
• Recruitment, Retention and Retraining Physics Teachers in Further Education report

Who will I work with?

• Manager- Teaching Workforce
• Supporting the ITE lead community
• Marketing and Communications
• Policy and Public Affairs

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if your skills include:

Essential Criteria

• Experience of working in a project-based environment with significant internal and external stakeholder interest.  Note that formal project management qualifications are not a requirement. 
• Experience working in a strategy, policy or public affairs-related background. 
• Co-ordination of project budgets, liaising with project and finance leads

Nice to have

• An understanding of relevant aspects of the education policy landscape

The Institute of Physics is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes and celebrates diversity. We know that not every candidate fits into a neat little box, and that's okay! So, even if your experience looks a little different from what we’ve identified but you believe you’d bring passion, creativity, and a willingness to learn, we’d love to learn more about you!

Application

Alongside your CV, please ensure you include a cover letter stating how you meet the person specification. 

How will I be working?

The Institute of Physics is an inclusive employer and our people are at the heart of our approach to delivery. Following the impact of COVID-19, we have developed a new, innovative and exciting trust-based model of flexible working called How We Work. This empowers our staff to choose both individually and as a team how, when and where they work to deliver the goals of the organisation, acknowledging that there will be occasions where in-person meetings, collaborations and events will help generate greater impact. The How We Work initiative is based on the principles of collaboration, trust, flexibility and agility. You will be allocated a ‘base’ office which can also be a chosen place of work. 

Why should I want to work for the IOP?

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland - we seek to raise public awareness and understanding of physics and support the development of a diverse and inclusive physics community. As a charity, we’re here to ensure that physics delivers on its exceptional potential to benefit society. There’s never been a more exciting time to join the IOP - watch our film to find out more about our work. 

To apply for this role please click the link below, best of luck with your applications!

We recognise personal unique characteristics, should you require any reasonable adjustments to support you in your application and/or throughout the recruitment process please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.

The Institute of Physics is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes and celebrates diversity.

We are looking for a Nations Support Coordinator based in Scotland on a permanent contract to support us in our mission to transform the physics landscape for the UK and Ireland. The Nations Support Coordinator will support the IOP staff in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland to ensure the smooth running of the Institute’s activities in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland, which include engagement, education, policy development and stakeholder management.

This rewarding member facing role also supports and builds relationships with members, so that they can fully participate and contribute to the vibrant physics community and experience value from their IOP membership. The role connects the IOP Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland committees with the wider IOP, championing the value of community and collaboration, and they are at the heart of our membership.

What is it like working at the IOP?

The IOP is a friendly and ambitious organisation. Inclusion and diversity are central to our work and we have a ‘work anywhere’ policy to make working at the IOP as flexible as possible. Looking after our colleagues and supporting them in life and work is our priority, ensuring they can live their best lives, with competitive salaries and generous benefits.

What will I be doing?

Supporting IOP’s staff in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland to deliver the programmes of work in line with IOP strategy
Building and maintaining member and volunteer relationships across the physics community and to increase membership engagement in our activities across Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Providing consistent administration and co-ordination support to the IOP Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland committees to enhance their contribution to the strategic objectives of the IOP.

Projects you work on may include:

This role supports the work of IOP Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. You will act as the main point of contact for IOP Scotland, supporting IOP Scotland’s staff, representative committee members, current and potential active members and volunteers to deliver activities in line with the IOP strategy and promote physics across their local communities for around two thirds of your time. The remaining third of time will be to support the same activities for the IOP in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The role has responsibility to ensure that IOP Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland Committee members have a worthwhile and consistent experience. Supporting activities led and delivered by our active members and IOP Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland staff in line with the IOP strategic goals and campaign aims, ensuring effective administrative and logistical support, providing and sharing best practice to ensure the IOP recruits, inducts, manages and celebrates volunteering.

Who will I work with?

IOP Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland staff and other IOP colleagues across the UK
IOP members and people in the physics community

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if your skills include:

Essential Criteria

Communication – ability to express information clearly and effectively in written and oral form, Strong customer care skills, writing and editing engaging copy, web pages, social media
Organisational and planning – ability to work with minimum supervision, prioritise workload, high attention to detail, handle multiple tasks ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
Team player – the ability to work co-operatively with others to achieve common goals

Nice to have

Negotiation – the capability to explore different positions and alternatives to reach outcomes that gain acceptance of all parties
Influencing – the ability to bring others to your way of thinking diplomatically
Proactive – to think ahead & act to ensure the smooth completion of team/individual objectives

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!

Application

Alongside your CV, please ensure you include a cover letter stating how you meet the person specification. 

How will I be working?

The Institute of Physics is an inclusive employer and our people are at the heart of our approach to delivery. This role requires independent home working and is not based at an IOP office. It is expected that the post holder will reside within Scotland, but will be expected to travel to Ireland, Northern Ireland and London on occasions. There is some flexible working in the role, but some evening or weekend working will be expected to support particular events or meetings.

Why should I want to work for the IOP?

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland - we seek to raise public awareness and understanding of physics and support the development of a diverse and inclusive physics community. As a charity, we’re here to ensure that physics delivers on its exceptional potential to benefit society. 

We have an ambitious new corporate strategy and you’ll play a part in helping us to deliver it.  There’s never been a more exciting time to join the IOP - watch our film to find out more about our work. 

As well as a competitive salary and professional development opportunities, we offer employees a comprehensive benefits package including:

An excellent pension scheme
Private medical insurance
Generous annual leave (25 days starting as a standard pro rota where required)
Gym Membership (Via salary sacrifice)
Company closure between Christmas and New Year and much more!

To apply for this role please click the link below, best of luck with your applications!

The Institute of Physics is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes and celebrates diversity.

Here at the IOP we are looking for a Community Support Officer (Engagement and Volunteering for a fixed period of 12 months) to support us in our mission.

What is it like working at the IOP?

The IOP is a friendly and ambitious organisation. Inclusion and diversity are central to our work and we have a ‘work anywhere’ policy to make working at the IOP as flexible as possible. Looking after our colleagues and supporting them in life and work is our priority, ensuring they can live their best lives, with competitive salaries, professional development opportunities and generous benefits.

Our comprehensive benefits package including:

• An excellent pension scheme - (up to 12% company contribution)
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, dental insurance, health care cash plan (via salary sacrifice) eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards, employee assistance programme
• Floating bank holidays (choose where to take your bank holidays throughout the year)
• Generous annual leave (25 days starting as a standard)
• Flexible working and much more!

The Role

What will I be doing?

As the Community Support Officer (Engagement and Volunteering), you’ll be at the heart of our work to build a vibrant, inclusive physics community. You’ll be the first point of contact for our volunteer-led Groups, Nations, and Branches — helping them to thrive, connect, and deliver meaningful activities that bring physics to life.

Your role will be varied, people-focused, and purpose-driven. You’ll:

• Support and empower volunteer committees with planning, elections, onboarding, and governance
• Design and deliver engaging training and resources to help volunteers feel confident and connected
• Celebrate and recognise contributions through awards, spotlight stories, and appreciation campaigns
• Coordinate inclusive events and forums that foster collaboration and community
• Use data and feedback to evaluate impact, improve experiences, and inform decision-making
• Champion collaboration and best practice across committees, departments, and the wider IOP network

You’ll work closely with passionate physicists, volunteers, and colleagues across departments — from Communications and EDI to Learning and Skills — to ensure every member feels supported, valued, and inspired.

Projects you work on may include:

• Creating a new Volunteering Guide and Welcome Handbook
• Designing and delivering onboarding and training for new committee members
• Organising flagship events like the annual Committee Welcome Day
• Helping shape our first Volunteering Development Plan and inclusive volunteering strategy

You’ll also be part of a wider team of Community Support Officers, each with their own focus area, working together to build a connected, thriving membership community.

Who will I work with?

As a Community Support Officer (Engagement and Volunteering), you’ll be part of a dynamic, collaborative environment where relationships matter. You’ll work closely with:

• The Community Support team and Student & Early Career Support Officer – sharing insights, coordinating efforts, and supporting each other to deliver a seamless member experience.
• The wider Membership department – especially colleagues in Professional Registration, Events & Conferences, and CPD – to ensure volunteer activities align with member development and recognition.
• Cross-functional teams across the IOP – including Science and Innovation, Education and Workforce, EDI, and Public Engagement – to embed inclusive practices and amplify the impact of volunteer-led initiatives.
• Members across our Groups, Nations and Branches (GNBs) – building trusted relationships with committee members, volunteers, and local champions to support their work and celebrate their contributions.
• External partners and sister societies – occasionally collaborating on joint events, campaigns, or volunteer initiatives that extend our reach and deepen our impact.

You’ll be a connector, a collaborator, and a champion for community – helping people feel supported, empowered, and proud to be part of the IOP.

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if your skills include:

Essential Criteria

Whilst we’re not looking for perfection, we are looking for someone who:

• Loves people – you’re empathetic, approachable, and passionate about helping others feel seen and supported
• Thinks inclusively – you understand what makes engagement meaningful and accessible for everyone
• Communicates clearly – whether it’s writing a guide, running a training session, or answering a query
• Is organised and proactive – you can juggle priorities, meet deadlines, and keep things running smoothly
• Is digitally confident – you’re comfortable using tools like Salesforce, MS Teams, and online platforms
• Is a team player – you collaborate, share ideas, and support others to succeed

Experience working with volunteers, committees or in a membership or charity setting is a big plus — but if you bring the passion and potential, we’ll support you to grow.

Nice to have

• A full driving licence and access to a car is desirable, as some travel may be required.

The Institute of Physics is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes and celebrates diversity. We know that not every candidate fits into a neat little box, and that's okay! So, even if your experience looks a little different from what we’ve identified but you believe you’d bring passion, creativity, and a willingness to learn, we’d love to learn more about you!

Application

Alongside your CV, please ensure you include a cover letter stating how you meet the person specification. 

How will I be working?

The Institute of Physics is an inclusive employer and our people are at the heart of our approach to delivery. Following the impact of COVID-19, we have developed a new, innovative and exciting trust-based model of flexible working called How We Work. This empowers our staff to choose both individually and as a team how, when and where they work to deliver the goals of the organisation, acknowledging that there will be occasions where in-person meetings, collaborations and events will help generate greater impact. The How We Work initiative is based on the principles of collaboration, trust, flexibility and agility. You will be allocated a ‘base’ office which can also be a chosen place of work. 

Why should I want to work for the IOP?

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland - we seek to raise public awareness and understanding of physics and support the development of a diverse and inclusive physics community. As a charity, we’re here to ensure that physics delivers on its exceptional potential to benefit society. There’s never been a more exciting time to join the IOP - watch our film to find out more about our work. 

To apply for this role please click the link below, best of luck with your applications!

We recognise personal unique characteristics, should you require any reasonable adjustments to support you in your application and/or throughout the recruitment process please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.

The Institute of Physics is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes and celebrates diversity.