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. Our work at its most impactful changes policy, practice and process to the benefit of the public good. That is also our organisational mission.

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 wish to recruit a Research Leader in our Defence, Security and Justice (DSJ) research group. The focus of this role is to design and lead Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) studies across our Defence, Security and Justice research portfolio. Of particular relevance to this role, we typically conduct a diverse range of impactful M&E studies in the following areas

• Space programmes: Strategy, research and evaluation across the civil and defence space sectors, including large-scale evaluations for the UK Space Agency.
• Defence workforce and Armed Forces community: Evaluations of interventions in relation to Defence personnel or wider Armed Forces community
• Defence research and innovation policy: Evaluations of portfolios of R&I, research strategy development, landscape reviews and assessment of research impact.
• Criminal justice – Offending, desistance and rehabilitation: Evaluations of programmes around prisons, law enforcement, justice and crime prevention.
• Drugs, illicit markets and organised crime: Evaluations of the efficacy of interventions to reduce the negative impact of drugs, smuggling, corruption.

Responsibilities

Research leadership 

• Taking forward RAND Europe’s successful research track record in M&E, leading the delivery of a portfolio of research projects and expanding into new sectors. 

• Developing and applying innovative M&E approaches tailored to the needs of our clients, including developing trainings and drawing on our in-house Data Science Lab.

• Creating opportunities to deepen the impact and influence of RAND Europe’s M&E work (e.g. conference participation, commentary writing, panel participations)

• Mentoring research staff and facilitating development of others' project management and methodological skills in the M&E space. 

Business development 

• Leading and delivering our M&E business development initiatives including leading bid and proposal activity, often as multi-partner proposals. 

• Contributing to the delivery of research group target revenues and sales by helping secure funding for research and consultancy tasks and supporting others in doing so.

Group and other responsibilities 

• Working with other team members and the Research Group Director to develop DSJ’s M&E research and strategy, and our broader approach to M&E opportunities. 

• Working in a collegiate manner and contributing to the development and profile of the wider organisation.   

• Helping to maximise impact of RAND Europe’s work.

Personal qualities: 

• Hands-on, team player with a strong commitment to high-quality research

• Commercially astute, analytical thinker with the ability to see issues strategically
• Networking and sales presentation skills to build relationships 

• Self-starter, proactive, enthusiastic about learning new skills and knowledge

Requirements

• A post-graduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant topic. Please note this is not an engineering or technical role.
• Proven track record designing, delivering and managing M&E studies, research and projects. Expertise in evaluation in line with the UK Government’s Magenta, Green, and Aqua Books would be valuable.
• Familiarity with common evaluation methods, covering impact, process and value for money (VfM) evaluations. Expertise in any novel methods would be valuable.
• Strong project leadership and management experience, including experience of running projects to budget.

• Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in other EU languages would be useful.

RAND Europe operates in a hybrid working capacity, this role would be formally based in our Cambridge office and be required to attend in-person a minimum of twice per month for team meetings as well as occasionally for ad hoc reasons such as client meetings or training.

Salary

Starting salary of £53,000 per annum for those that meet the minimum requirements, with flexibility for those with more 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.

Application

If you believe you are suited to the above role, please submit an application comprising of a CV and covering letter below by 10th August 2026. If you have not been contacted within 30 days of application deadline, please assume your application has not been successful.