Researchers & Investigators

Praetorian Connections Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Praetorian Connections Ltd in London invites applications for researchers, investigators and project managers to join our talent pool for future projects examining online extremist narratives. Roles are for 12-month fixed-term contracts with hybrid working, three days per week in Central London office, and rolling assessments.

Successful candidates will map ideologically motivated movements, monitor online spaces, analyze data, and deliver high-quality written outputs while upholding ethical

Qualifications

• Hands-on work with social media platforms and familiarity with fringe online platforms.
• Proven OSINT tradecraft; experience with complex investigations.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent writing ability - demonstrated delivery of high-quality research.
• Commitment to research ethics, legal compliance and operational security.
• Professional curiosity and willingness to engage deeply with complex issues.
• Demonstrated research on extremist ideologies, narratives and groups.
• Experience mentoring analysts or leading research activity.
• Data management, quantitative analysis and collection frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver focused research to develop access across online spaces; monitor, collect and analyse online data.
• Produce high-quality written outputs while maintaining ethical standards and legal compliance.
• Map ideologically motivated political and extremist movements, actors, networks, platforms and discourse.
• Leverage networks to gather critical insights while upholding safety and security standards.

Skills

OSINT tradecraft

Analytical writing

Data management

Network mapping tools

Education

Background in criminology, psychology, sociology or security studies

Tools

Network mapping tools

Job description

Research & Investigations Talent Pool (12-Month Fixed-Term Contracts)

Location:

Central London (Hybrid)

Salary:

Competitive, dependent on experience

Working Pattern:

Monday to Friday, hybrid working with three days per week in our London office

About Us

Praetorian Connections Ltd (PCL) is a leading provider of language-enabled Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), supporting geopolitical, security, and risk-focused decision making.

Our Intelligence Teams deliver timely, accurate, and insightful reporting across complex global portfolios, combining linguistic capability, regional expertise, structured analytical methodologies, and rigorous editorial standards.

Praetorian Connections Ltd (PCL) is a specialised open source intelligence company based in London. Through our teams of regional experts and native-level language analysts, Praetorian is able to provide perspective on some of the world’s most demanding and complex environments through regular in country update reporting and deep-dive research and investigations.

We are seeking talented researchers, investigators and project managers to join our talent pool for future projects examining online extremist narratives. Successful candidates will be offered positions on a 12-month fixed term basis as business and client requirements arise.

By joining our talent pool, candidates will be considered for multiple upcoming opportunities matching their skills, experience, and interests.

Across the roles, the team will plan and deliver focused research to develop access across online spaces; monitor, collect and analyse online data; and produce high-quality written outputs, while maintaining strict ethical standards and legal compliance at all times.

Projects will map ideologically motivated political and extremist movements, actors, networks, platforms, and discourse in order to identify risk signals. Work will blend open source intelligence tradecraft across open and closed-channels.

Experience required (all roles)

• Hands-on work with social media platforms and (preferably) familiarity with alternative, fringe online platforms.
• Proven OSINT tradecraft; experience with complex investigations.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent writing ability - demonstrated delivery of consistent, highquality research products.
• Commitment to research ethics, legal compliance and operational security.
• Professional curiosity and willingness to engage deeply with complex issues.
• Demonstrated research and expertise on extremist ideologies, narratives, groups, platforms and polarising online subcultures and ecosystems.
• Experience mentoring analysts or leading research activity.
• Demonstrable experience in data management, quantitative analysis and collection frameworks.
• Able to build rapport, cultivate trust, manage ongoing communications, and effectively leverage networks to gather critical insights while adhering to ethical and operational security standard.
• Knowledge on extremist pathways either through a background in criminology, psychology, sociology or security studies.
• Familiarity with network mapping tools.

Behaviours

• Integrity and objectivity
• Rigour and curiosity
• Judgement and responsibility
• Respect and collaboration
• Resilience and operational security

Additional Information

• Submission of an application does not guarantee employment. Candidates who successfully complete the assessment process may be contacted regarding suitable opportunities throughout the next 12 months.
• Candidates must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to sponsor visa applications for this role.
• Hybrid working arrangement with three days per week required in our Central London office.
• Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a written exercise as part of the recruitment process.

Those with experience working with multidisciplinary teams across government, policy, academia, and civil society are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted when aligned with project requirements.