Research Leader - Health and Care

RAND Europe is a not-for-profit research institute with over 30 years of experience in conducting policy research for key decisionmakers in the public, not for profit and private sectors, including for governments, international organisations, research councils, charitable foundations and industry. We believe that good research helps shape sound answers to pressing societal challenges. RAND Europe has approximately 170 staff across offices in Cambridge (UK), Brussels (Belgium) and The Hague  (Netherlands). We conduct independent and objective research and analysis and provide evidence-based, incisive insights that influence policy decisions in the UK, Europe and globally. Our work lies on the continuum between that of universities and consultancies, combining academic rigour with a professional, task orientated approach.

Following a period of rapid growth, we are recruiting for posts at the Research Leader level to work in the Health and Care Research Group. This is a vibrant research group of over 30 people and is expanding. Current members have backgrounds in a diverse range of disciplines including health services research; health innovation, health economics; epidemiology; public health; psychology, wellbeing, management studies, science and technology studies, sociology and other social science and health related disciplines.  The group collaborates extensively with university-based researchers, such as through the Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research, a partnership between RAND Europe and the University of Cambridge, and The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute, as well as our rapid evaluation centres (DECIDE with the University of Oxford, and BRACE with the Universities of Birmingham and Cambridge). We also collaborate with consultancies.

This is an exciting opportunity work with one of the world’s most respected public policy research organisations and to lead and contribute to research in the areas of health services delivery, transformation and improvement and healthcare innovation. This role would suit an experienced, creative and collaborative researcher who is committed to improving policy and decision-making in the service of population health. Research Leaders at RAND Europe develop, attract funding for and deliver a portfolio of research and evaluation projects, working collaboratively with colleagues across the research team as a whole and promoting mixed-methods and interdisciplinary research.  Research Leaders manage project and proposal teams, generate ideas, nurture talent, enthuse internal and external partners and clients and nurture and grow our reputation as a key contributor to internationally and nationally significant policy debates.  The role is ideally suited to flexible and ambitious individuals who are used to engaging with a diverse stakeholders, interested in research across a variety of issues, and who enjoys playing a leading role as part of a talented team in a collegiate and fast-paced environment.

We welcome applications from diverse disciplinary and professional backgrounds, for example form individuals who have worked in research roles in universities, consultancies, research institutes, think tanks or government policy departments. Research Leaders typically have a PhD degree or at minimum a postgraduate degree with significant additional relevant working experience. We are interested in receiving applications from individuals with experience of working in healthcare services and healthcare innovation topic areas, including both generalists and those who might have specialisms in some of our growth areas (such as mental health, primary care, digital health, emerging technologies that could transform healthcare, pharmaceutical and life sciences innovation and industrial and health policy, and womens’ health). We are interested in hearing from applicants with strong qualitative and/or quantitative research skills.

The Research Leader would be based in our Cambridge UK office. (We will also consider applications for researchers in our The Hague, Netherlands office if the skills and networks of the applicants are well matched to our European work)

We are advertising for Research Leader level posts but also welcome applications from individuals who may need a few more years in a slightly less senior role to that of a Research Leader (i.e. Senior Analyst role), to develop into a Research Leader.

Research and team management

• Develop and lead research projects (contracts, grants) and deliver high quality outputs to time and budget.
• Work as part of a team, lead, inspire, motivate and develop staff in line with our values and competences. 
• Provide oversight and effective management of project teamsand support project managers to help ensure effective delivery.
• Demonstrate strong research method skills (either qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method)
• Contribute to senior leadership of the research group and participate in senior leadership and wider research group meetings.
• Model the behaviours RAND Europe seeks in employees which ensure a collegial atmosphere which supports our values: https://www.rand.org/randeurope/about/values-charter.html.

Business development

• Successfully secure research projects, leading proposals and business development efforts to attract funding from public and/or not for profit and/or industry clients.
• Help nurture existing networks and build new ones, with clients and collaborators.
• Inspire and engage in collaboration, including helping to establish productive relationships across RAND and externally with both clients and collaborators. 

Communications/Publications

• Prepare a range of written outputs for a variety of audiences, including policy makers, with a clear, message driven writing approach.
• Communicate and disseminate research findings, through reports, journal publications, commentaries, conferences, workshops, social media and media, working with our communications team.
• Raise RAND Europe’s profile through your existing networks and through new networks you will establish at RAND Europe.

• A postgraduate degree (PhD preferred) or equivalent, with significant work experience
• A track record in one or more fields related to healthcare services or healthcare innovation related research and/or evaluation, ideally experience in policy relevant research and analysis. Experience of working across different countries and stakeholders is an advantage, but not essential. For applicants with an interest in healthcare innovation, experience of working with the private sector (e.g. pharma, health tech) is an advantage, but not essential.
• Strong qualitative and/or quantitative and/or mixed methods research skills
• Experience of engaging with and managing clients who fund research and evaluation, including successfully winning funding for research projects and delivering projects to time and budget
• Demonstrated experience of successfully working in a team-based environment
• Demonstrated ability to effectively grow and manage a network of contacts
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent English language skills are essential; additional language skills are an advantage.
• Intermediate Word, Excel, PowerPoint (and potentially other software depending on background and experience)
• Awareness of the markets within which RAND operates

• 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.

If you believe you are suited to the above role, please submit an application comprising of a CV and covering letter below.

If you have not been contacted within 30 days of application deadline, please assume your application has not been successful.