Research Assistant - Education, Employment and Skills

Rand; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent research organization in Cambridge is seeking a Research Assistant on a two-year fixed term contract. This role involves addressing complex policy questions through research and analysis in a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate has strong communication skills, experience with quantitative and qualitative methods, and a commitment to working flexibly. The position offers competitive salary and benefits including generous holiday allowance, medical insurance, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Pension - 8% Employer contribution

33 days holiday allowance

BUPA medical insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Employee wellbeing training and support

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with literature review methodology.
• Ability to work with large datasets.
• Skills in qualitative research methods.

Responsibilities

• Support project teams in research analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Conduct literature reviews and prepare presentations.
• Implement research projects using statistical and econometric methods.

Skills

Basic report writing

Excellent communication skills

Intermediate Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Education

Post graduate degree or equivalent

Tools

R

STATA

Job description

The Employment, Education, and Workplace Wellbeing workstreams address critical cross-cutting themes, with equality, diversity, and inclusion embedded as fundamental principles in all areas of our research. We are looking for an exceptional Research Assistant to join on a two-year fixed term contract to grow our team of social policy researchers. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team in one of the world's most respected public policy research organisations. The role may offer opportunity to progress in the organisation, so you should hold ongoing right to work in the UK. As a Research Assistant you will address complex policy questions by conducting research and analysis on behalf of our clients and support the team in submitting proposals and managing and delivering multiple projects in a timely and accurate manner. We welcome interest from individuals with a background in mixed methods in any of the following topics: employment, education, skills, workplace wellbeing. We are also happy to hear from applicants with strong quantitative skills sets who are willing to build their experience further in qualitative methods and approaches too. The role is based in our Cambridge office which can be worked at daily. We work flexibly as a hybrid organisation, so commitment to at least one working day in the office per week is expected as a minimum and more may be expected. Please make it clear in your cover letter that you can make yourself available to work from our office location as required.

Responsibilities

• Supports project teams in research by undertaking analysis of quantitative and qualitative data; conducting literature reviews; supporting interviews and workshops; preparing presentations and research briefs; coordinating meetings and events, including taking minutes; supporting the collation of administrative documents for proposals; drafting sections of reports under supervision; proofreading and checking documents; making corporate contributions through supporting RAND processes such as quality assurance and research ethics; providing occasional corporate support with administrative tasks; communicating with clients and partners with supervision; ad hoc duties as required.

Additional opportunities for quantitative specialists

• For candidates with quantitative skills, opportunities are available to work with large datasets, including data cleaning, data manipulation, linking multiple datasets using relevant variables, and preparing data for analysis.
• Implements research projects using inferential statistical and econometric methods (e.g., regression analysis, differences-in-differences, synthetic control).

Requirements

• Basic report writing; literature review methodology and experience
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Intermediate Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Desirable

• A background in mixed methods and/or quantitative research
• Experience analysing large data sets
• Core research skills in qualitative research such as interviews and focus groups
• Skills in intermediate or advanced statistical packages such as R or STATA
• Experience presenting research
• Publication or other type of dissemination of research
• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment; post graduate degree or equivalent in a topic related to our work

About RAND Europe

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 180 staff across offices in Cambridge, Brussels, and the Netherlands. Our staff represents 22 nationalities, speaks over 20 languages and covers 31 academic disciplines. Our multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to research generate unique perspectives and insights for our wide-ranging government, foundation and other NGO clients. The Employment, Education and Skills research group undertakes research across several public policy areas for a diverse client base in the UK, Europe and beyond. Our work covers a broad range of public policy issues across:

• Employment (including skills, employability, labour migration, child and family policy);
• Education (including early childhood education and care, special educational needs, alternative provision, and edtech);
• Workplace Wellbeing (including productivity, culture, and occupational health and safety).

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £27,500 per annum

• 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.