Research Analyst (Insights)

Moonshot; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Flexible public holiday policy

Private healthcare

Employee Assistance Programme

Maternity and paternity leave

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Job summary

Moonshot is seeking Research Analysts to gather and analyse open-source online data for a specific insight project. You will design methods, draft analytical reports, and present findings to clients, supporting strategic understanding.

Essential experience includes countering organised crime or online harms, OSINT techniques, and the ability to work under pressure. The role requires police checks and UK residency for security clearance, with opportunities to contribute to data-driven insights

Qualifications

• Experience in countering organised crime, violent extremism or online harms.
• Proficient in open-source research and OSINT methods.
• Ability to scan large data volumes and identify key information.
• Strong report-writing and client-facing presentation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver high-quality work on tight schedules.

Responsibilities

• Identify, collect and analyse information from social media and other sources using in-house tools.
• Design quantitative and qualitative research methods for large datasets.
• Draft robust analytical reports with clear findings.
• Present findings to clients and tailor content to their needs.
• Maintain databases and review social media/messaging platforms for project inclusion.
• Develop subject-matter expertise on online harms across the organisation.
• Support business development by identifying new project opportunities.

Job description

Moonshot is currently recruiting Research Analysts as part of an existing programme of work. In this role, you will be focused on gathering and analysing open-source online data and carrying out aspects of delivery for a specific insight project. You will also be expected to work to advance our research methodologies and support the strategic understanding of our clients.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Identification, collection and analysis of information from a range of sources, including social media and other channels covered by our in-house tools.
• Designing quantitative and qualitative research methods to collect and analyse large datasets.
• Drafting analytical reports to a high standard, delivering valuable findings in a concise and robust manner.
• Working to demanding, high-tempo reporting schedules for clients.
• Presenting findings verbally to clients, tailoring the content to their needs to support their strategic understanding.
• Anticipating potential barriers to data collection and investigations, identifying workable solutions, and taking responsibility for improvements to processes.
• Maintaining large databases and conducting regular reviews of social media and messaging platforms for inclusion into the project.
• Researching and drafting deep dives into trends and themes identified.
• Developing and sharing subject matter expertise related to online harms across the organisation.
• Building relationships with clients, and supporting our business development by exploring and identifying opportunities for new projects of work that will be of interest to them.

Candidates will be expected to undertake and pass a police check and additional checks for security clearance at an SC level, which typically requires a minimum of five years’ continuous UK residency immediately prior to application.

Essential:

• Candidates will be expected to undergo and pass a police check and additional checks for security clearance at an SC level, which typically requires a minimum of five years’ continuous UK residency immediately prior to application.
• Relevant professional or research experience in countering organised crime, violent extremism or other online harms.
• Professional experience involving analysis and investigation using open-source research and OSINT methods.
• Ability to scan large volumes of data and identify the most valuable pieces of information.
• Demonstrated ability to source, interpret and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data, potentially including social media data, and produce actionable, decision quality reporting.
• A demonstrable ability to work under pressure, take action and get things done, both in managing your own workload and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify subtle patterns.
• Excellent team working skills with the ability to collaborate effectively and respond flexibly to challenges.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness to be on-call and work outside regular working hours in response to incidents and relevant events.
• We require and will check candidates’ eligibility to work in the UK and pass any relevant security clearance procedures per the needs of clients.

Desirable:

• Fluency in languages other than English, particularly Arabic.
• Qualifications in quantitative methods for social science and specialist quantitative skills, including data visualisation, database management (SQL), Python, Tableau visualisation or other data analysis tool sets.
• Professional experience in open-source research, online investigations, threat risk analysis, public safety, or law enforcement.
• Security clearance at an SC level or higher in current role.
• 30 days’ paid annual leave, excluding bank holidays.
• Flexible public holiday policy with the option to work bank holidays in exchange for a day off at another time.
• Private healthcare package with access to specialist mental health cover, including coverage for partners and children.
• Employee Assistance Programme providing access to mental health support.
• Generous maternity and paternity leave: 26 weeks paid maternity leave, 8 weeks paid paternity leave.
• All permanent employees are granted share options upon employment.

Salary: £38,000 - £42,800 (depending on skills and experience).