Senior Research Analyst/Research Leader - Research and Innovation Policy

RAND is a not-for-profit research institute with over 30 years of experience in conducting policy research for governments, international organisations, research councils, charitable foundations, and other organisations. We believe that good research helps shape sound answers to pressing societal challenges, ultimately making communities safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous in the future. RAND Europe has approximately 180 staff across offices in Cambridge, Brussels, and the Netherlands.

The Science and Emerging Technology(SET) research group at RAND Europe conducts a wide-ranging portfolio of policy research for a diverse client base in the UK, Europe and beyond. Broadly, our work covers three main areas:

• Emerging technology policy: Analysis of the trends, applications, impacts and governance of new and emerging technologies from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to quantum technology and extended reality, using a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods. This includes examining the societal and policy implications of technologies across sectors and a broad set of areas such as technology oversight; trust and ethics; public engagement; and work and skills.  See: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/focus-areas/science-emerging-technology.html

•  Research and innovation policy: Analysis of research and innovation systems including how they work and how they can be improved. This includes evaluations of portfolios of R&I, research strategy development, landscape reviews, and research culture (including topics like researcher mobility, researcher wellbeing and open science). See: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/science-technology-innovation/science-of-science.html
• Energy and environment policy: Analysis of a range of key policy issues including circular economy, environmental fiscal policy and green finance, renewable energy and decarbonisation, and people and nature. See: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/focus-areas/science-emerging-technology/environmental-sustainability-and-climate-change.html

• Civil Space policy: Analysis and evaluation of space policy and investments including strategy support, work on global cooperation and sovereign programmes, major reviews of spending and work on debris and traffic management. See: https://www.rand.org/topics/space-science-and-technology.html

We work with and for public, private and third sector funders and collaborate frequently with universities and other research organisations.

We wish to recruit a Research Leader/Senior Analyst to help lead our research and innovation (R&I) policy portfolio in our Cambridge or Brussels office. The focus of this role is to lead business development and project delivery for our portfolio of R&I policy projects. We are looking for an individual with experience conducting policy relevant research, a proven interest in R&I policy and evaluation, and with a proven ability to write proposals and win work as well as provide thought leadership in this space.

 The role holder will also be accountable for working with senior colleagues in supporting and motivating the SET research group on a day-to-day basis, leading groups of talented researchers, and publicising our work through a range of communications and outreach activities. You will be flexible in your approach to delivering projects, writing proposals, and multitasking, and committed to achieving impact through your work with other talented team members, in a collegiate environment.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Taking forward RAND Europe’s successful research track record in R&I policy and evaluation, supporting the delivery of a portfolio of large, complex research projects and evaluations and expanding into new areas of work.
• Providing thought leadership on R&I policy, strategy and evaluation.
• Mentoring research staff and facilitating development of others' project management and methodological skills.
• Taking a leading role in ensuring that RAND Europe’s research has a positive impact within policy communities.

Business development

• Contributing to the work of SET, through contributing to or supporting the delivery of research group target revenues and sales by helping secure funding for research and consultancy tasks and supporting others in doing so.
• Co-ordinating, managing and supporting a portfolio of business development initiatives including leading and supporting bid and proposal activity, often as multi-partner proposals.
• Building networks and contacts with funders and collaborators

Group and other responsibilities

• Working with other team members and the Research Group Director to develop SET’s research and strategy.
• As a senior member of the team, cultivating relationships across teams within the organisation that may lead to cross-team collaboration, and contributing to the development and profile of the wider organisation.
• Helping to raise RAND Europe’s profile and communicate research findings to maximise impact.

• Proven track record in leading and delivering significant research and evaluation work in R&I policy for clients such as DSIT, UKRI, Wellcome, DG RTD and others. We are open to researchers with qualitative or quantitative research experience. Knowledge of futures and foresight methods would be an advantage.
• Evidence of working as part of a team, motivating others, mentoring and developing colleagues for career and skills progression.
• Strong conceptual and structured thinking skills, coupled with excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills (evidenced by examples) and the proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and to varied audiences.
• A proven ability to distil complex information and engage with detail considering bigger picture issues and to message research and analysis findings clearly, succinctly and in consideration of target audiences.
• Strong project leadership or management experience, including experience of project budget preparation and management.

Personal qualities:

• Commercially astute, analytical thinker with the ability to see issues strategically and at a practical level from a variety of perspectives.
• Networking and sales presentation skills to build relationships, facilitate joint decision making and cultivate relationships with potential funders and collaborators.
• An inclusive, motivated leader and coach with the inspirational interpersonal skills to motivate a team, instil standards of excellence and develop people as appropriate for career progression.
• Hands-on, team player with a strong commitment to rigorous research, customer service and the ability to project manage multiple tasks and work to tight deadlines.
• Self-starter with high energy levels, who is comfortable working with ambiguity as well as process, and quick to spot a commercial opportunity.
• Open minded, with the humility to recognise success in others and accept challenge from highly capable junior members of the team. 

This role can be based in either RAND Europe’s Cambridge or Brussels office, working alongside RAND Europe colleagues. We expect individuals to be in the office at least one day a week but we operate this with some flexibility. There will be some requirement for travel and to spend brief periods away visiting clients on site – typically in London and Brussels though occasionally further afield – and conducting fieldwork where required.

Please see our careers page for relevant benefits associated to each location

How to apply

If you believe you are suited to the above role, please submit an application comprising of a CV and covering letter. Closing date for applications is 5th January 2025

If you have not been contacted within 30 days of application deadline, please assume your application has not been successful.