Research Analyst - Space Policy - Science and Emerging Technology Team

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 170 staff across offices in Cambridge, Brussels, and the Netherlands.

The Science and Emerging Technology 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
• Emerging technology policy: Analysis of the trends, applications and impacts of new and emerging technologies from AI and blockchain to quantum computing and virtual reality. 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/research/science-technology-innovation/digital.html
• Energy and environment policy: Analysis of food systems and strategy, futures analysis of sustainability and environmental issues, environment and health, energy and energy innovation. 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.

We are looking for a talented individual to join our high-performing research group who can support 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. This is an opportunity for a motivated individual who is qualified to post graduate degree level with demonstrable experience in qualitative and/or quantitative analysis to join a world-class policy research organisation with a collaborative and supportive working culture.

Key responsibilities

• Collect and analyse qualitative and/or quantitative data to support the Science and Emerging Technology group’s research, particularly on space technology programme evaluation
• Typical methods we use include desk research, literature review, interviews, workshops, surveys, economic modelling, econometrics, quantitative data analysis (including computational and statistical methods)
• Help to project manage research tasks, ensuring they are delivered within time, and to budget, communicating with clients and collaborators, and working within small project teams;
• Contribute to writing project reports and other research outputs, such as conference/workshop presentations, articles in peer-reviewed journals (or equivalent) and blog posts;
• Support business development efforts by contributing to proposal- and grant-writing and other business-winning activities.

Requirements

• You will be qualified to post graduate degree level or equivalent. (Ideally, you will have relevant work experience after university.)
• You will have a background related to space policy and/or technology, ranging across one or more domains, including;
  • earth observation,
  • space sustainability,
  • innovation ecosystems for space companies,
  • space economics,
  • security implications of space and international cooperation.
• You will have familiarity with key stakeholders in the sector, including the UK space agency, satellite application catapult, European space agency and a general understanding of the big space technology developers (e.g. Airbus)

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.

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.

Salary

Starting salary from £30,000 per annum