Senior Research Analyst - Defence Workforce and Armed Forces Community

Rand Europe; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Research Analyst to support research on the Defence workforce and Armed Forces Community. The role involves coordinating impactful research, drafting reports, and contributing to proposal development. Candidates should possess a relevant higher degree and experience in defence research. This position offers a salary starting from £40,000 along with various benefits including medical insurance and a pension plan.

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

Free on-site parking

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Professional experience in conducting defence and security research.
• Proven interest in Defence workforce and Armed Forces Community research.
• Understanding of research ethics and data protection.
• Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
• Expertise in quantitative research methods.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate impactful policy research across Defence Workforce.
• Draft high-quality research reports with minimal supervision.
• Contribute to the development of competitive research proposals.
• Mentor junior team members and improve methodological capabilities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Writing and presentation skills

Project management

Networking

Education

Higher Degree in a relevant research discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office tool suite

Job description

RAND is a not-for-profit research institute with over 30 years of experience in conducting policy research for governments, international organisations, research councils, charitable foundations, and other organisations. We believe that good research helps shape sound answers to pressing societal challenges, ultimately making communities safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous in the future. RAND Europe has offices in Cambridge, Brussels and The Hague and employs approximately 190 staff.

We are looking for a Senior Research Analyst to join our Defence, Security and Justice Research Group who can support our research and analysis activities focused on the Defence workforce and Armed Forces Community (link). The overarching purpose of this portfolio is to produce robust, high-quality research and actionable recommendations to support effective policies and practice relating to the serving military and civilian Defence workforce, military veterans and military families. Our research overs a wide spectrum of themes, including:

• Future Defence workforce trends, understand skills and people requirements in Defence
• Defence people policy, such as incentivisation, recruitment, retention, diversity and inclusion, training, career and talent management
• Experiences of (post) Service life and military-to-civilian transition as well as associated support needs among the Armed Forces community
• Evaluation of people policy and support programmes, such as the Armed Forces Covenant

RAND’s Defence, Security and Justice research group has a diverse client base in the UK, Europe and beyond, including UK government departments, EU institutions, national and international defence and security organisations, and various third sector and humanitarian organisations. For an overview and examples of RAND’s recent work in this area, please see here.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping public policy research in defence, influencing high-level government decision-making in the UK, the European Union, and globally. This role offers the chance to engage in intellectually stimulating work within a dynamic and diverse team, tackling a broad spectrum of topics, and employing cutting-edge quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

We welcome applications from a range of experience levels, from those slightly below to those exceeding our criteria.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and/or lead impactful policy research across the Defence Workforce and Armed Forces Community portfolio, using qualitative and quantitative research methods. This includes drafting high-quality research reports with minimal supervision, working collaboratively with other project team members, and maintaining contact with clients.
• Contribute to and/or lead the development of competitive research proposals with minimal supervision, including through contributing to research design.
• Support the portfolio lead in strategic planning and business development, including identifying research opportunities and curating relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to fostering impact of our work through strategic communication (e.g. development of commentaries) and outreach (e.g. presentation at research conferences).
• Contribute to mentoring of junior team members and improvement of our methodological capabilities.

• Higher Degree in a relevant research discipline (e.g. defence and war studies, sociology, behavioural science, occupational psychology).
• Professional experience in conducting defence and security research and applying a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research methods in either an academic or consultancy environment.
• Proven interest and track record in research relating to the Defence workforce and Armed Forces Community or adjacent fields (e.g. occupational psychology)
• Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation abilities, including conveying complex concepts to diverse, non-academic audiences.
• Understanding of research ethics and data protection considerations involved in sensitive research with human participants (e.g. military personnel).
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting, project planning and coordination of multiple concurrent research projects.
• A track record of collaborative research and team motivation, with a focus on skills and career development.
• Excellent command of English language.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office tool suite.
• Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Highly Desirable

• Expertise in quantitative research methods and relevant technical skills (e.g. use of statistical software, data visualisation).
• Experience working with relevant public and third sector organisations and stakeholders (e.g. Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces, military charities).
• Experience of working with external research partners and collaborators, including multinational consortia.

Personal Qualities:

• Strategic and analytical thinker with a practical perspective.
• Networking and presentation skills to foster relationships and secure funding.
• Team-oriented with a commitment to rigorous research and public service.
• Eagerness to learn, contribute to team development, and embrace new challenges.

• 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 £40,000 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 24/08/25.

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