Senior Advisor Science and Innovation Policy Advocacy

Senior Advisor Science and Innovation Policy Advocacy
Department: MIT Washington Office
Date: September 2026

Position Overview
This position serves as a key advocate representing MIT’s research policy interests at the federal level across all science domains before Congress, federal agencies, the White House, and the Washington higher education advocacy community, including leading associations.

Drawing on prior experience in science, research, and/or higher education policy, this position advises MIT’s policy and government affairs leadership, including the Vice President of Government Affairs and the Director of the Washington Office, as well as the campus community, including academic departments and administrative offices, on federal policies that impact the Institute’s research and training mission.

The position will create and maintain strong working relationships with senior federal science agency staff, Congressional staff including leadership and professional staff members of committees, and national higher education-focused associations.

A key element of the position is to identify and analyze complex policy proposals to determine the impact on MIT and the likelihood of adoption, communicate the impacts and timeframes to relevant campus stakeholders, and help develop MIT’s advocacy approach and messaging.

The individual in this position also influences institutional views and designs advocacy strategies and messages for MIT’s proactive policy initiatives through strong professional networks, direct advocacy, and participation in coalitions and associations in Washington.

This role also assists faculty and students with injecting their ideas into federal policy circles when aligned with MIT institutional objectives.

Specific policy issues and duties will depend on the makeup and needs of the office but will include a strong focus on science and research issues, including the availability of funding and regulations governing research. The successful candidate may also participate in areas impacting MIT’s contributions to a broader set of innovation policy activities, including intellectual property licensing, climate and sustainability, and higher education governance.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Recommend proactive and defensive federal policy strategies in Washington to MIT’s government affairs leadership and campus departments targeting Congress and the Executive Branch, with a particular focus on topics including, but not limited to, biotechnology, basic science, emerging technologies, research regulations, research funding, general research policy, higher education, student visas and skilled immigration, intellectual property, and related issues.

Serve as an external-facing and community-recognized advocate and lobbyist for MIT, representing the Institute’s interests to Congress, federal agencies, and the White House.

Advise and inform MIT’s government affairs leadership and campus community of pending policy proposals and final decisions, emerging opportunities, and strategic risks in science, research, and higher education policy, as well as other areas as assigned.

Help develop advocacy strategies and key messages to support MIT positions and policy initiatives on relevant topics. Arrange and prepare MIT faculty and leadership, including the President, for meetings with federal policymakers and influencers. Staff senior MIT officials in key meetings with federal policymakers.

Serve as the Washington representative for MIT within science policy and advocacy coalitions, including staffing associations and working groups deemed most impactful to MIT’s science and higher education policy interests.

Write and present regular memos, briefings, and policy updates to campus constituencies; inform faculty, students, and leadership of the evolving federal policy landscape.

Mentor and support the professional development of junior members of the MIT Washington Office, including the regular rotation of interns in the office.

Supervision Received
Self-initiates work and completes projects independently while working with the Office Director and the Vice President of Government Affairs.

Reports to the Director of the Washington Office.

May provide mentorship and guidance to junior office staff and may supervise office trainees.

Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of relevant experience, or a graduate degree in an applicable field and at least three years of relevant experience, is required. A PhD with experience in research programs is highly desirable.

Relevant experience includes work in government relations or within a government agency or Congress.

An applicable academic field for a PhD generally means a field in which MIT offers a degree.

Demonstrated expertise in science and research policy, higher education policy, and/or technology policy issues, along with the ability to advise senior leadership, is required.

Strong written and oral communication skills and analytical capabilities are required, including experience preparing and presenting memos and policy briefings.

Leadership experience within advocacy coalitions and mentoring junior staff is preferred.

Candidates must be willing and able to take initiative, manage a diverse portfolio, and work both independently and as part of a team.

Apply here