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 approximately 180 staff across offices in Cambridge, Brussels, and the Netherlands.
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).
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.
This is an exciting opportunity to work with a truly multidisciplinary team in one of the world’s most respected public policy research organisations. We are looking for an exceptional candidate at an Analyst level to grow our team of social policy researchers. As an Analyst 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 wish to recruit a researcher with experience in conducting quantitative research, including experimental or quasi experimental approaches, and statistical analysis methods. The role is ideally suited to an individual with experience in managing and/or conducting quantitative research studies and/or consultancy projects.
We invite applications from individuals with a background in any of the following topics: education, employment and social inclusion, child and family policy. The successful candidate would be actively encouraged to contribute to a broad range of research across the team and the organisation as a whole.
We welcome applications from candidates who would like to work part-time or full time.
The role is based in our Cambridge office. However, we are working flexibly as an organisation asking candidates to attend the office twice weekly.
Key responsibilities
- Manages projects, with some supervision, including monitoring budget, timetable and deliverables, delegating work and providing feedback
- Delivers high-quality quantitative research by:
- drafting data collection tools
- comfortable working with large datasets, including data cleaning, data manipulation, linking multiple datasets and other activities to prepare data for analysis
- undertaking analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
- preparing presentations and research briefs
- Drafts sections of reports with minimal supervision
- Maintains day-to-day contact with collaborators, clients and funders
- Contributes to impact by identifying opportunities for communication of research findings
- Analysing calls for tender to identify proposal requirements and help organise responses
- Manages small proposals
- Drafts sections of proposals
- Supports business development activities
- Supports strategic corporate initiatives
- Ad hoc duties as required.
Requirements
Quantitative research methods
- Ability to work with data using statistical software packages such as R and Stata.
- A background in research with a focus on quantitative social research, statistical methods and data science.
- Comfortable working with large datasets, including data cleaning, data manipulation, linking multiple datasets and other activities to prepare data for analysis.
- Solid understanding of, and some experience with, different analytical approaches and modelling techniques based on linear regression.
- Knowledge of the principles underpinning experimental and quasi-experimental analysis (e.g. randomisation, baseline equivalence, statistical power)
- Experience in delivering quantitative research and report writing, preferably for policymaker audiences.
Other experience
- Intermediate or advanced statistical packages such as R or STATA
- Experience managing research projects in professional services or public sector domains.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Fluency in English
- Intermediate Word
- Intermediate Excel
- Intermediate PowerPoint
Qualifications
- PhD or equivalent experience.
Salary
Starting from £30,000 per annum depending on experience
Benefits
- 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.
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 closing date for applications is Sunday 23rd February 2025.
If you have not been contacted within 30 days of application deadline, please assume your application has not been successful.
