Senior Research Fellow & Head of Organised Crime & Policing

Department: Organised Crime and Policing (OCP)

Salary range: £68,000 to £78,000 depending on experience

Location: London

Contract: Permanent / Full time

About RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), based in London, Brussels and Nairobi, is the UK’s leading independent think tank engaged in cutting edge research in defence and security. Its mission is to inform, influence and enhance public debate on a safer and more stable world. RUSI is a research-led institute, producing independent, practical and innovative analysis to address today’s complex challenges.

About the Department / Team

RUSI is seeking a Senior Research Fellow to lead its Organised Crime and Policing (OCP) research group. The team is dedicated to understanding and addressing organised crime and policing challenges, in the UK and worldwide, with work covering areas such as drug and human trafficking, corruption, environmental crime and law enforcement strategy and responses. The group aims to deliver high-quality and meaningful research, policy and capacity-building activities. OCP’s work seeks to stimulate dialogue and support positive change in efforts by governments, civil society and the private sector to combat organised crime, corruption, police violence and environmental harms. Beyond this, the group runs the Strategic Hub for Organised Crime Research, a resource for academics, practitioners and policymakers working on organised crime in the UK and internationally.

Main purpose of post

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the OCP research group, providing vision, strategic direction and leadership across all aspects of the team’s work and growing the programme into new areas. The post holder will have three core responsibilities:

• To lead efforts to sustain and grow financial support for the programme, driving business development activity, promoting OCP’s work, and managing relationships with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.
• To maintain and strengthen the team’s reputation for high-quality, independent research by identifying priorities for innovative research and policy impact, delivering research programmes, and ensuring rigorous quality assurance across all outputs.
• To mentor and inspire the small team of in-house researchers, while representing OCP at Management Group level within RUSI.

We also expect the post holder to consistently prioritise advancing the diversity, equality and inclusion agenda within the organised crime and policing field.

The post-holder is expected to provide intellectual leadership for the team, maintain a viable financial position for the team through a strong pipeline of funded projects, provide rigorous quality assurance, support professional development opportunities, help to showcase the team’s work, and draw connections between varied projects. The Head of OCP is also expected to make their own contribution to public thought leadership, and to contribute to team research projects.

Key tasks

• Providing vision, strategic direction and leadership to the OCP team.
• Leading business development in collaboration with the Director of Research Business Development, fundraising and income-generation activity for the programme, identifying and securing new funding opportunities from a diverse range of public, private and philanthropic sources.
• Acting as a senior ambassador for OCP, enhancing its profile, influence and visibility through stakeholder engagement, thought leadership and external representation.
• Developing, managing and strengthening relationships with key individuals, organisations and stakeholders in the UK and internationally, ensuring long‑term strategic partnerships.
• Identifying and pursuing opportunities for collaboration, partnership development and programme growth, both within RUSI and with external organisations.
• Overseeing the delivery of OCP’s portfolio of research and other projects, ensuring the highest standards of quality, impact and relevance.
• Identifying emerging trends, policy priorities and strategic opportunities that position OCP as a leading voice in the crime and policing field.
• Leading, encouraging and supporting the development of staff, fostering a high‑performing, collaborative and inclusive team culture.
• Supporting and strengthening RUSI’s reputation, influence and impact within the crime and policing community.

The above list of duties is not exhaustive. The post holder will be required to undertake such duties that may reasonably be expected within the scope and grade of the role.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience

• Proven expertise on organised crime and policing.
• Track record of successful fundraising.
• Excellent analytical and methodological skills and ability to quality assure the work of other researchers to high standards.
• Management experience, including supervision or line management.
• Budget management, or a role involving significant involvement in financial planning and reporting.
• An understanding of the relevant stakeholders for crime and policing‑related research both in the UK and internationally.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain a network of important and influential contacts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and ability to present complex information and demonstrating strong literacy skills.
• Personal commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Desirable skills and experience

• A track record of publications on organised crime and policing issues.
• Media experience and public speaking skills.
• Monitoring and Evaluation training and/or experience.
• Experience of working in the not-for-profit sector organisation.

RUSI’s senior leadership team is open to approaches from individuals who judge their experience of leadership in the field of organised crime research is above that outlined, to discuss an even more ambitious approach to the OCP programme.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service)
• Additional days off during Christmas – RUSI Christmas closure days
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Season ticket loan
• Free access to RUSI's world leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Depending on length of service

We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSI’s Vision and Values and Equal Opportunities Statement

Application Process

To apply, please click on the apply button and follow the instructions to submit your CV and cover letter.

Please submit your CV and any supporting writing as one document.

Your cover letter should be no longer than 1 page, explaining your interest in the role and any significant relevant skills and/or experience.

The closing date for applications is Monday 3rd August 2026.

Please note that this role requires Right to Work status in the UK. We are unable to sponsor this role.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity and Values

At RUSI you will be appreciated and valued. Our stakeholders, transactions, and projects are international and diverse, so we work hard to create inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other. We are committed in promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and make it as diverse as the communities we serve. Our recruitment data helps us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment practices in order that we can continue to improve on creating a more diverse workforce.

We’re aware that the questionnaire may not capture the rich complexities of our backgrounds and identities, so we apologise if these are not best described. Please note that this data will be kept confidential and separated from your job application. If you are uncomfortable sharing, choose "Prefer not to say" or skip the questions entirely.

If you have any questions, please contact hr@rusi.org