Reform is recruiting for two Research Assistants to join its small and passionate team for six months on a full-time basis. The successful candidates will help produce independent, challenging and authoritative research, and will assist in supporting Reform’s communications and events. They will be dynamic and motivated individuals with track records of strong research and communication skills, and committed to our core principles.
For 15 years Reform has been the leading think tank at the heart of Whitehall and Westminster’s efforts to transform public services for the better, in the interests of all citizens and within sustainable government budgets. Its core research areas are health, education, welfare, and criminal justice, as well as cross-cutting issues such as workforce capability, digital transformation, competition and choice, and efficiency. Alongside its research, Reform runs around 80 policy events a year, attended by ministers and shadow ministers, other parliamentarians, senior officials, public service leaders, academics and business leaders.
The Research Assistants will work closely with the research team to support Reform’s research programme, including drafting literature reviews and contributing to sections of reports. They will also support Reform’s regular contributions to the policy debate by researching ad hoc policy issues. They will support events, update Reform’s contact database, and participate in regular team meetings. They will contribute to Reform’s online output by writing blog posts and assisting with the weekly newsletter in collaboration with the research team.
Person specification
It is essential that candidates demonstrate:
- Some experience of conducting research on public policy;
- Good organisational and administrative skills, including in prioritising tasks;
- An ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadline;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills;
- A commitment to building and maintaining good professional relationships;
- Excellent attention to detail;
- A First or good 2.i in a relevant discipline, though those with equivalent relevant experience will be considered. A master’s degree is desirable, though not necessary.