Research Analyst/Research Analyst (Frontier Ai Policy)

Rand; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A research organization in England is seeking a Research Analyst specializing in AI policy. The role involves managing impactful projects assessing AI implications, developing threat models, and translating findings into actionable insights. Candidates should have a strong background in AI safety, excellent analytical skills, and familiarity with tools like Python or R. Flexible working arrangements and numerous benefits are offered, catering to a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Pension – 8% employer contribution

33 days holiday allowance

BUPA medical insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience with AI safety and security risks.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills to communicate insights.
• Experience conducting rigorous mixed-methods research.

Responsibilities

• Manage interdisciplinary projects on AI policy implications.
• Develop and operationalise threat models for AI risks.
• Translate technical findings into policy-relevant insights.

Skills

AI safety understanding

Analytical thinking

Collaboration in multidisciplinary teams

Written and verbal communication

Proficiency in Python or R

Education

Background in AI, policy, or related field

Tools

Python

R

Machine Learning frameworks

Job description

Overview

RAND Europe is an independent, not-for-profit research organisation whose mission is to help improve policy and decision‑making through rigorous and independent research and analysis. We benefit the public interest through the impact and wide dissemination of over 200 projects per year. Our work at its most impactful changes policy, practice and process to the benefit of the public good.

RAND Europe has approximately 200 staff across offices in Cambridge, Brussels, and The Hague. Our staff represents 22 nationalities, speaks over 20 languages and covers 31 academic disciplines. The Science and Emerging Technology (SET) team has 30 researchers spanning research topics that include research on research and emerging technology policy.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to or manage interdisciplinary projects assessing the national and international policy implications of AI advances.
• Develop and help operationalise threat models for high‑consequence risks associated with AI systems.
• Help design and execute rigorous, data‑driven evaluations of AI capabilities relevant to innovation, safety and security, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Translate technical research findings into clear, policy‑relevant insights and communicate results effectively to policymakers, industry and research stakeholders.
• Support the management of relationships with external partners, collaborators and clients.
• Work with team members and the Research Group Director to develop SET’s research and strategy.
• Contribute to the development and profile of the wider organisation in a collegial manner.
• Help raise RAND Europe’s profile and communicate research findings to maximise impact.
• Work with senior colleagues in supporting and motivating the SET research group on a day‑to‑day basis, leading the development and growth of the broad portfolio on emerging technologies (focussing on frontier AI), managing groups of talented researchers, and raising the impact of our work through a range of communications and outreach activities.
• Design, execute, write proposals for, and deliver rigorous, data‑driven evaluations of AI capabilities relevant to innovation, security and geopolitics, and translate these findings into actionable insights for policymakers in the UK, EU and beyond.
• Collaborate with international experts, AI researchers, domain experts and policymakers, shaping the emerging policy landscape around responsible AI and risk governance.

The role will involve collaboration with international experts, AI researchers, domain experts (e.G. life scientists), and policymakers, and will offer the opportunity to shape the emerging policy landscape around responsible AI and risk governance. 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 the development and growth of our broad portfolio on emerging technologies (focusing on frontier AI), managing groups of talented researchers, and raising the impact of our work through a range of communications and outreach activities. You will be proactive in your approach to delivering projects, writing proposals, and multitasking, and committed to achieving impact through your work with other team members, in a collegiate environment.

Qualifications

• A strong interest in assessing AI capabilities, understanding AI safety and security risks, and advancing policies and frameworks for the responsible governance of AI and other high‑consequence technologies.
• Demonstrable experience applying computational approaches grounded in AI platforms and tools to policy‑relevant research questions.
• Background or strong familiarity with one or more of the following domains: AI safety, AI security, AI for good, computer engineering, science and technology policy, computational biology.
• Excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, ideally spanning technical and policy domains.
• A commitment to RAND Europe’s core values of quality, objectivity, collaboration, service and learning.
• Familiarity with EU and UK AI agencies, authorities, and policy development processes.
• Experience conducting rigorous mixed‑methods research, ideally including both quantitative analysis and qualitative insight generation.
• Proven ability to use data science, AI modelling, or computational approaches to address policy‑relevant or scientific questions.
• Proficiency in relevant tools such as Python, R, or machine learning frameworks (e.G. PyTorch, TensorFlow) is desirable.
• Experience working with government, research institutions, or international organisations is desirable.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deliver to time and budget.

Personal Qualities

• Curiosity and adaptability, with enthusiasm for working at the frontier of AI policy research.
• Proactive and self‑motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strategic thinker, capable of linking technical findings to broader policy and security implications.
• Strong communicator, able to explain complex analyses clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Collaborative and collegial, fostering a supportive team culture and sharing expertise openly.
• Commercially and policy aware, with the ability to identify emerging opportunities for impact and growth.
• Open‑minded and intellectually humble, receptive to learning from colleagues across disciplines and levels of seniority.

Schedule & Location

The role will be based in RAND Europe’s Cambridge office, working alongside RAND Europe colleagues. We typically ask staff to attend the office a minimum of one day per week. There will also be a requirement to travel and spend brief periods away visiting clients on site – typically in London and Brussels, though occasionally further afield.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting from £30,000 per annum, depending on experience at Research Analyst level.
• Starting from £40,000 per annum, depending on experience at Senior Research Analyst level.
• Pension – 8% employer contribution.
• 33 days holiday allowance, including the Bank Holidays.
• Annual salary review.
• BUPA medical insurance.
• Generous company sick pay.
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies.
• Group income protection scheme.
• Group life assurance.
• Compassionate leave.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Employee wellbeing training and support.
• Fresh fruit every day.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to company bikes.
• Service awards.