Senior Research Analyst/Research Analyst (Frontier AI policy)
3 days ago
Cambridge
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. The Science and Emerging Technology (SET) team has members whose backgrounds span a wide range of natural and social science disciplines. We collaborate widely with like-minded academic organisations, consultancies and think tanks across Europe, with the RAND Corporation in the U.S., and we have and continue to build strong research partnerships with collaborators internationally. The Science and Emerging Technology team comprises 30 researchers spanning research topics including research on research and emerging technology policy. We are a team of individuals committed to bringing the benefits of research, science and technology to bear on decision-making across sectors – in government, industry, charities and international organisations. This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the world’s most respected public policy research organisations and contribute to pioneering work at the intersection of AI and other emerging technologies. The role will involve contributing to elements of RAND’s research on frontier AI, examining how these systems (e.g. large language models and AI agents) could affect beneficial applications and potential misuse across a range of sectors and fields. The successful candidate will also help design, execute and communicate rigorous, data-driven evaluations of AI capabilities relevant to innovation, security and geopolitics, and translate these findings into actionable insights for policymakers in the UK, EU, and beyond. This position will involve collaboration with international experts, AI researchers, domain experts (e.g. life scientists), and policymakers, and will offer the opportunity to shape the emerging policy landscape around responsible AI and risk governance. The role holder will also be accountable for working with senior colleagues in supporting and motivating the SET research group on a day-to-day basis, leading the development and growth of our broad portfolio on emerging technologies (focussing on frontier AI), managing groups of talented researchers, and raising the impact of our work through a range of communications and outreach activities. You will be proactive in your approach to delivering projects, writing proposals, and multitasking, and committed to achieving impact through your work with other team members, in a collegiate environment. This role will be based in RAND Europe’s Cambridge office, working alongside RAND Europe colleagues. We typically ask staff to attend the office a minimum of one day per week. There will also be some requirement to travel and spend brief periods away visiting clients on site – typically in London and Brussels though occasionally further afield. Key responsibilities • Contribute to or manage interdisciplinary projects assessing the national and international policy implications of AI advances., • Develop and help operationalise threat models for high-consequence risks associated with AI systems., • Help design and execute rigorous, data-driven evaluations of AI capabilities relevant to innovation, safety and security, using both quantitative and qualitative methods., • Translate technical research findings into clear, policy-relevant insights and communicate results effectively to policymakers, industry and research stakeholders., • Support the management of relationships with external partners, collaborators and clients., • Working with team members and the Research Group Director to develop SET’s research and strategy., • Working in a collegiate manner and contributing to the development and profile of the wider organisation., • A strong interest in assessing AI capabilities, understanding AI safety and security risks, and advancing policies and frameworks for the responsible governance of AI and other high‑consequence technologies., • Demonstrable experience applying computational approaches grounded in AI platforms and tools, to policy-relevant research questions., • A background or strong familiarity with one or more of the following domains: AI safety, AI security, AI for good, computer engineering, science and technology policy, computational biology., • Excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences., • Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, ideally spanning technical and policy domains., • A commitment to RAND Europe’s core values of quality, objectivity, collaboration, service and learning., • Familiarity with EU and UK AI agencies, authorities, and policy development processes., • Experience conducting rigorous mixed-methods research, ideally including both quantitative analysis and qualitative insight generation., • Proven ability to use data science, AI modelling, or computational approaches to address policy-relevant or scientific questions., • Proficiency in relevant tools such as Python, R, or machine learning frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow) is desirable., • Experience of working with government, research institutions, or international organisations is desirable., • Curiosity and adaptability, with enthusiasm for working at the frontier of AI policy research., • Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team., • Strategic thinker, capable of linking technical findings to broader policy and security implications., • Strong communicator, able to explain complex analyses clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences., • Collaborative and collegial, fostering a supportive team culture and sharing expertise openly., • Commercially and policy aware, with the ability to identify emerging opportunities for impact and growth., • Open-minded and intellectually humble, receptive to learning from colleagues across disciplines and levels of seniority. We welcome applications from a range of experience levels, from those slightly below to those exceeding our criteria. Salary Starting from £30,000 per annum, depending on experience at Research Analyst level Starting from £40,000 per annum, depending on experience at Senior Research Analyst level 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.
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