Research Leader - Civil Space Policy - Science and Emerging Technology Team

Rand Europe; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization, Rand Europe, is seeking a Research Leader in Cambridge to guide their Civil Space Policy research. This role involves managing diverse research portfolios, mentoring staff, and engaging in business development. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical and project management skills, with a passion for space technology and policy. Candidates should hold a relevant postgraduate degree and have a proven track record in research leadership.

Benefits

Pension - 8% Employer contribution

33 days holiday allowance

Annual salary review

BUPA medical insurance

Generous company sick pay

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Employee wellbeing training and support

Fresh fruit every day

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering and managing research projects.
• Experience in space policy and evaluation methods is valuable.
• Fluency in English, proficiency in other EU languages is useful.

Responsibilities

• Lead RAND Europe’s civil space policy research and project delivery.
• Mentor researchers and develop their project management skills.
• Contribute to business development for civil space initiatives.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Networking skills

Project management

Collaboration

Research evaluation

Education

Post graduate degree in public policy, space policy, regulation, law, or related field

Job description

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. That is also our organisational mission

RAND Europe has approximately 190 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.

RAND Europe’s research is rigorously peer-reviewed, draws on extensive subject and methodological expertise, and is conducted in a professional, delivery-oriented environment.

We wish to recruit a Research Leader in our Science and Emerging Technology (SET) research group in our Cambridge office.

The focus of this role is help take forward our Civil Space Policy research portfolio.

The 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. Our work covers:

• 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 assessment of research impact. See: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/science-technology-innovation/science-of-science.html
• Civil space policy: Strategy, research and evaluation across the space sector, including Earth observation, space business R&D, national space investment strategy and mission reviews. Our unique strength is that our space portfolio sits across the Defence, Security and Justice and SET teams, forming the RAND Europe Space Hub (RESH). This gives us coverage across both civil and defence space domains, and their intersections. See: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/focus-areas/science-emerging-technology/civil-space.html
• Emerging technology policy: Analysis of the trends, applications and impacts of new and emerging technologies from AI and biotechnology to quantum technology and extended reality, using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods. This includes examining the societal and policy implications of technologies across sectors and a broad set of areas such as data governance; privacy, trust and ethics; public engagement; work and skills; and wider technology oversight. See: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/initiatives/frontiers-of-technology.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/research/science-technology-innovation/environmental-sustainability-and-climate-change.html

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

About the Research Leader position

We are looking for a talented individual to join our high-performing civil space research group who can help lead our research and analysis activities with a flexible and collaborative approach and interest in space technology evaluation and policy, as well as in wider science and technology policy.

We combine our experience and expertise in space security, policy, regulation and law with our work on the impact of science and technology and the evaluation of major space programmes. The role holder will have experience of using mixed-methods research and engagement to explore these issues. You will be experienced at project coordination and leadership, supporting the delivery of projects working with a team of researchers, and have strong policy analysis skills.

Key responsibilities:

Research Leadership

• Taking forward RAND Europe’s successful research track record in civil space policy research, leading the delivery of a varied portfolio research projects and expanding into new sectors and geographies within and outside of the UK.

• Leading the SET team’s Civil Space workstream, including contributing to thought leadership on civil space policy issues, chairing regular meetings and overseeing research activities.

• Helping to lead the RAND Europe Space Hub with colleagues in our Defence, Security and Justice team. This involves writing conference abstracts, commentaries and blogs on topics ranging from space traffic management, space business ecosystems, international cooperation on space R&D.

• 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 space policy communities and the wider world.

Business development

• Leading and delivering our civil space business development initiatives including leading bid and proposal activity, often as multi-partner proposals.

• Contributing to the work of SET, through contributing to 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.

• 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, and our civil space 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.

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 and knowledge, and in contributing to people development initiatives, such as training

• Self-starter and proactive, 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.

• A post graduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant topic e.g. public policy, space policy, regulation, law, research, strategy, space science / engineering (please note this is not an engineering or technical role)

• A demonstrable interest in the above topics, also including space science, space sustainability, innovation ecosystems for space companies, space economics, security implications of space and international cooperation.

• Proven track record delivering and managing studies, research and/or evaluation projects. Expertise in evaluation in line with the UK government’s Magenta book would be very valuable.

• Evidence of working as part of a team to deliver on policy 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 leadership and management experience, including experience of running projects to budget.

RAND Europe has an extensive skills and development programme that will build your capabilities and equip you for the range of challenging and exciting tasks that we will ask you to work on. You will also have dedicated support for your personal development.

This role will be based in RAND Europe’s Cambridge office, working alongside RAND Europe colleagues, in a hybrid working model with the option to work from home. As a team, we ask a minimum one day in the office per week, with some flexibility.

There will be some requirement to travel and spend brief periods away visiting clients on site – typically in London and Brussels though occasionally further afield.

Fluency in English is also essential and proficiency in other EU languages would be useful.

• 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.

Salary

Starting from £50,000 per annum

How to Apply

If you believe you are suited to the above role, please submit an application comprising of a CV and covering letter.The deadline for applications is 06/07/25.

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