Senior Research Analyst - R&I Evaluation - Science and Emerging Technology

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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.

We wish to recruit a Senior Research Analyst to support our broad portfolio of evaluations in research and innovation (R&I) in our Cambridge or Brussels office.

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....

• 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/s...
• 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/...

• 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.

This is an exciting opportunity working with the one of the world's most respected public policy research organisations. It is ideally suited to a flexible and ambitious individual who is used to leading or managing research/evaluations and who wishes to make a real impact on policy, working alongside a very talented team in a collegiate environment.

The Senior Research Analyst will support the Research Group Director of the Science and Emerging Technology (SET) research group focusing on supporting business development and project delivery across the varied SET portfolio with a particular focus on evaluation. We are looking for an individual with experience of conducting policy relevant research and/or evaluation, interest in one of our four key areas of focus, but particularly research and innovation policy, ability to conduct varied evaluations, and ability to manage and support delivery of complex projects working with a team of researchers.

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, managing 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 research and evaluation, supporting the delivery of a portfolio of large, complex research projects and expanding into new areas of work.
• Mentoring research staff and facilitating development of others' project management and methodological skills.
• Helping ensure that RAND Europe's research has a positive impact within policy communities and the wider world.

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 within and outside the team.
• Co-ordinating, managing and supporting a portfolio of business development initiatives including 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.
• Working in a collegiate manner 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.

Requirements

• Proven track record delivering and managing evaluation projects.
• Proven track record of delivering evaluation including experience of theory-based evaluation approaches. Knowledge of quasi-experimental methods and value for money analysis also desirable. Experience aligning methods to best practice guides, such as the UK Government's Green Book and Magenta Book, and/or the EU Better Regulation Guidelines.
• Evidence of working as part of a team to deliver on research and evaluation projects
• 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 management experience, including experience of running projects to budget.

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.
• Hands-on, team player with a strong commitment to rigorous and high-quality research, customer service and the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks, and work to tight deadlines.
• Enthusiastic about learning new skills, expanding your knowledge, and contributing to people development initiatives, such as training.
• Self-starter and pro-active, and comfortable working with ambiguity as well as process.
• Open-minded, with the humility to recognise success in others and accept challenge from highly capable junior members of the team.

This role will be based in RAND Europe's Cambridge or Brussels office, working alongside RAND Europe colleagues, in a flexible, hybrid working model with the option to work from home (minimum one day in the office per week, with some flexibility). There will also be some requirement to travel and spend brief periods away visiting clients on site - typically in London and Brussels though occasionally further afield.
Salary

Starting from £40,000 per annum

Benefits

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 23rd February 2025

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