Research Leader - Research & Innovation - Science & Emerging Technology Team

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

Job summary

A leading research organization in Cambridge is seeking a Research Leader to oversee its research and innovation policy portfolio. This role involves business development and project management for complex research projects, requiring strong analytical and leadership skills, alongside a collaborative approach to work.

Benefits

Pension - 8% Employer contribution

33 days holiday allowance including Bank Holidays

Annual salary review

BUPA medical insurance

Generous company sick pay

Enhanced family friendly policies

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Employee wellbeing training and support

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Experience in leading R&I policy research.
• Proven ability to secure funding and write proposals.
• Strong communication and presentation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver a portfolio of large, complex research projects.
• Provide thought leadership on R&I policy and strategy.
• Mentor junior research staff and promote team development.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Proposal writing

Leadership

Networking

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.

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.html

• 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/science-of-science.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/focus-areas/science-emerging-technology/environmental-sustainability-and-climate-change.html

• 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.

We wish to recruit a Research Leader to help lead our research and innovation (R&I) policy portfolio in our Cambridge office. The focus of this role is to lead business development and project delivery for our portfolio of R&I policy projects. We are looking for an individual with experience conducting policy relevant research, a proven interest in R&I policy and evaluation, and with a proven ability to write proposals and win work as well as provide thought leadership in this space. We are particularly seeking candidates with experience evaluating large portfolios of R&I investment for clients such as UKRI, DSIT, NIHR and/or DG RTD.

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 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 and evaluation, supporting the delivery of a portfolio of large, complex research projects and evaluations and expanding into new areas of work.
• Providing thought leadership on R&I policy, strategy and evaluation.
• Mentoring research staff and facilitating development of others' project management and methodological skills.
• Taking a leading role in ensuring that RAND Europe’s research has a positive impact within policy communities.

Business development

• Contributing to the work of SET, through contributing to the delivery of research group target revenues and sales by securing funding for research and consultancy tasks and supporting others in doing so.
• Co-ordinating, managing and supporting a portfolio of business development initiatives including leading 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.
• As a senior member of the team, cultivating relationships across teams within the organisation that may lead to cross-team collaboration, 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.

This role will be based in RAND Europe’s Cambridge office, working alongside RAND Europe colleagues. We ask individuals to be in the office at least one day a week but we operate this with some flexibility. There will be some requirement for travel and to spend brief periods away visiting clients on site – typically in London and Brussels though occasionally further afield – and conducting fieldwork where required.

• Proven track record in leading and delivering significant evaluation work in R&I policy for clients such as DSIT, UKRI, NIHR, DG RTD and others. We are open to researchers with qualitative or quantitative research experience. We require experience working to deliver evaluations in line with UK and/or EU guidelines (e.g. Magenta book, Green book, Better regulation guidelines)
• Evidence of working as part of a team, motivating others, mentoring and developing colleagues for career and skills progression.
• 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 or management experience, including experience of project budget preparation and management.

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.
• An inclusive, motivated leader and coach with the inspirational interpersonal skills to motivate a team, instil standards of excellence and develop people as appropriate for career progression.
• Hands-on, team player with a strong commitment to rigorous research, customer service and the ability to project manage multiple tasks and work to tight deadlines.
• Self-starter with high energy levels, who is comfortable working with ambiguity as well as process, and quick to spot a commercial opportunity.
• Open minded, with the humility to recognise success in others and accept challenge from highly capable junior members of the team.

• 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.

We will be looking to conduct 1st stage interviews week commencing 14th July 2025

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