Research Analyst - Emerging Biotechnology

About this role

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. RAND Europe’s research is rigorously peer-reviewed, draws on extensive subject and methodological expertise, and is conducted in a professional, delivery-oriented environment.
RAND Europe has approximately 200 staff across offices in Cambridge, Brussels, and the Hague. 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. We work with and for public, private and third sector funders and collaborate frequently with universities and other research organisations.
The Science and Emerging Technology (SET) 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:

• Emerging technology policy: Analysis of the trends, applications and impacts of new and emerging technologies from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to quantum technology and virtual 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 biosecurity, technology oversight, trust and ethics public engagement, and work and skills. See: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/science-technology-innovation/digital.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 metascience research (including topics like scientometrics, AI in science, 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: Energy and energy innovation, climate risk and policy, food systems and strategy, green jobs and skills, transport, and futures analysis of environment and sustainability issues. See: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/science-technology-innovation/environmental-sustainability-and-climate-change.html
We are looking for an Analyst to join the SET Research Group and support business development and project delivery for our portfolio of emerging technology policy with a particular focus on biotechnology and biosecurity.
The role is based in the Cambridge office. We offer a flexible hybrid working pattern but would expect the successful candidate to be present in the office at least one day per week. Fluency in English is essential and proficiency in one or more other languages would be an asset.
The ideal candidate will combine policy research skills with a background in biology, microbiology, molecular biology or a related life sciences discipline. We are looking for an individual with a keen interest and understanding of biosecurity, biological surveillance, emerging biotechnologies, and the associated policy, governance and future risk implications. The role holder will have experience using mixed-methods research and engagement to explore these issues. They will be experienced at project coordination and management, supporting the delivery of projects in collaboration with a team of researchers.
The role holder will be proactive in their approach to delivering projects, writing proposals, and multitasking, and be committed to achieving impact through their work with other team members, in a collegiate environment.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyse qualitative and/or quantitative data to support our biosecurity, biological surveillance and biotechnology policy portfolio. Typical methods we use include desk research, literature review, interviews, workshops, surveys, modelling, decision making frameworks and landscape mapping.

• 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.

• Help ensure that RAND Europe’s research has a positive impact across biosecurity, public health, science policy and wider policy communities.

• Build networks and relationships with funders and collaborators across the biosecurity, surveillance, biotechnology and wider life sciences policy sectors.

• Work in a collegiate manner and contribute to the development and profile of the wider organisation.
Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in biosecurity, biological surveillance, biotechnology policy or related research, supported by a background in biology, microbiology, molecular biology or a closely related discipline. Proven expertise in managing and delivering work on relevant topics, with the ability to understand, assess and synthesise scientific publications and technical evidence.

• Experience of delivering research projects on a range of biosecurity, surveillance, science policy or biotechnology issues.

• Experience of working in the life sciences, biotechnology, surveillance or wider science and technology sector.

• Evidence of working as part of a team.

• Excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills (evidenced by examples) and proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and to varied internal and external audiences. You should have demonstrable…