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- Tasks: Lead impactful research on Defence workforce and Armed Forces Community using qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Company: RAND is a not-for-profit research institute dedicated to shaping sound answers to societal challenges.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, BUPA medical insurance, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Engage in intellectually stimulating work that influences high-level government decision-making globally.
- Qualifications: Higher Degree in relevant research discipline and experience in defence and security research required.
- Other info: Applications close on 24/08/25; salary starts from £40,000 per annum.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 56000 £ per year.
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.
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Senior Research Analyst - Defence Workforce and Armed Forces Community employer: Rand Europe
Contact Detail:
Rand Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Analyst - Defence Workforce and Armed Forces Community
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with RAND's recent research in the Defence sector. Understanding their methodologies and key findings will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the defence research community. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with current employees or industry experts, which can provide insights into the role and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've applied these methods in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Senior Research Analyst position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of the Defence workforce and Armed Forces Community by discussing current trends and challenges in your conversations. This will highlight your expertise and readiness to contribute to RAND's mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Analyst - Defence Workforce and Armed Forces Community
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Focus on your analytical, writing, and project management abilities, as well as any specific experience in defence and security research.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the Defence workforce. Discuss your understanding of the challenges faced by the Armed Forces Community and how your background makes you a suitable candidate to address these issues.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Provide examples of past research projects or roles where you applied quantitative and qualitative methods. Highlight any work with public or third sector organisations, especially those related to defence, to demonstrate your familiarity with the field.
Emphasise Soft Skills: Mention your teamwork, networking, and communication skills in your application. RAND values collaboration and the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences, so make sure to illustrate these qualities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rand Europe
✨Understand the Research Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in defence workforce research. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with RAND's focus areas, such as military-to-civilian transitions and diversity in the armed forces.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical abilities by discussing specific projects where you applied quantitative and qualitative research methods. Highlight any relevant software or tools you've used, especially in statistical analysis or data visualisation.
✨Engage with Strategic Communication
Think about how you can contribute to the strategic communication of research findings. Be ready to share examples of how you've effectively communicated complex concepts to non-academic audiences, perhaps through presentations or commentaries.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
RAND values collaborative research, so be prepared to discuss your experience working in teams. Share examples of how you've motivated team members or contributed to their development, particularly in a research context.
