Head of Data Science Lab (DSL)

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 190 staff across offices in Cambridge, Brussels, and the Netherlands. 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.

RAND Europe’s research is rigorously peer-reviewed, draws on extensive subject and methodological expertise, and is conducted in a professional, delivery-oriented environment.

RAND Europe is creating a corporate Data Science Lab (DSL) to bring together 10-15 quantitative researchers who are currently spread across four Research Groups:

• Science & Emerging Technology
• Health & Care
• Education, Employment, & Skills
• Defence, Security & Justice

The Lab will be the organisation’s hub for applied analytics, covering AI/ML, statistical and causal inference, economic and simulation modelling, and software engineering. Its work supports RAND Europe’s mission to improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis.

We are looking for an inspirational leader to direct the combined Lab, guide its strategic development and technical direction, while making sure the work has real policy impact.

The role blends strategic leadership, technical depth and business growth; providing a great opportunity for someone wanting to shape data science capability within a mission-driven and policy-focused organisation.

Responsibilities

Engage across RAND

• Engage with Research Groups and corporate stakeholders within RAND Europe to understand their technical requirements and inform how the Lab can support them.
• Work with Research Groups to identify and secure new opportunities for projects and build relationships with government, philanthropic and commercial clients.
• Liaise with technical teams and experts in RAND US and encourage knowledge exchange.
• Be a senior expert who can speak confidently about the Lab’s capabilities and outputs.
• Identify new areas of innovation and challenge thinking to shape the Lab to provide new capabilities that can help grow the business.

Develop and deliver DSL strategy

• Develop and deliver a strategy for how the Lab will serve the organisation, supporting RAND Europe’s mission and commercial goals.
• Maintain a roadmap for methods, tools and related infrastructure.
• Build the capability and capacity needed to deliver the DSL’s mission, working with HR to recruit and retain talent.
• Mentor and develop a multidisciplinary team of technical researchers.
• Shape career pathways and maintain an inclusive culture.

Lead the DSL and drive technical quality

• Manage the Lab’s portfolio, ensuring data science activities within projects are delivered internally to agreed timeframes and budgets, tackle resourcing issues early.
• Provide senior oversight for work that uses AI/ML, statistical analysis, causal inference, simulation or economic modelling, and help ensure projects have a clear policy relevance.
• Design and manage a technical development programme to continue to improve existing DSL products as well as create new capabilities to support the Lab’s mission.
• Promote good programming practice (version control, testing, peer review, reproducibility), particularly in Python and R.
• Work with RAND Europe’s operations function to provide the IT infrastructure needed to support DSL activities.
• Drive quality standards and a culture of experimentation and continuous learning to take RAND Europe to the forefront of our areas of specialism.
• Uphold RAND Europe’s values and ethics, information-security and quality-assurance standards.

Promote awareness of DSL capabilities

• Promote awareness of emerging DSL capabilities across the Research Groups, and RAND more broadly, ensuring researchers understand how to make best use of the skills and tools in DSL.
• Source internal and external training to support integration of the Lab across the organisation.
• Speak at conferences, engage with media and publish thought-leadership pieces.
• Build partnerships with academia, industry and government.

Requirements

• Experience leading data science or analytics teams of around 10 FTE or more.
• Depth in at least one of: AI/ML, statistical analysis, causal inference, economic or simulation modelling, and an appreciation of the others.
• Understanding of the key principles of good programming.
• Success in business development and client relationships.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• UK national and eligibility for UK SC/DV clearance  

Desirable

• Experience in policy research and the UK or EU public-funding landscape.
• Previous work on classified or highly sensitive projects.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree (MSc, MEng, PhD or equivalent) in computer science, statistics, economics, mathematics, engineering or a related quantitative field.

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.

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 27/07/25.

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