Researcher or Senior Researcher

We are looking to hire a new Researcher or Senior Researcher, dependent on experience. The successful candidate will be a core member of the team — primarily producing policy reports and other written outputs, but also contributing on other fronts, such as supporting our events programme and developing the footprint of The Entrepreneurs Network in the policy ecosystem. 

The ideal candidate will be highly self-motivated with a strong interest in public policy. They will not simply wait to be assigned tasks, but proactively identify new opportunities to drive the policy agenda. We expect applicants to be recent graduates, or to be working in a similar role, or to have demonstrated the core competencies we’re after in another role.

Strong applicants will have shown an active interest in policies and issues that impact entrepreneurs. Most importantly, their values will be in strong alignment with those of The Entrepreneurs Network.

About the job

  • Location: London (four days per week in the office)

  • Salary: Researcher £28,000–£34,000; Senior Researcher £36,000–£44,000 depending on experience

  • Contract type: Permanent

  • Application closing date: Sunday, 19 April

About The Entrepreneurs Network

The Entrepreneurs Network is the think tank for Britain’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. Over the last decade we’ve built a network of well over 10,000 founders, who we support by:

  • Publishing impactful research on the best policies to foster entrepreneurship;

  • Campaigning for reforms that help businesses start, scale and succeed;

  • Hosting events that connect entrepreneurs with policymakers;

  • Keeping founders informed on how policy changes affect them;

  • Championing the role of entrepreneurs in the media and public debate;

  • Serving as the Secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Entrepreneurship to ensure Parliament stays closely informed about how to create the best possible environment for entrepreneurs to succeed.

We are a small team that punches well above its weight in the think tank scene. Through their written output, events work, and other networking, the successful candidate will have opportunities to quickly rise up, establish a public profile and engage directly with the UK’s leading entrepreneurs and policymakers.

Role

  • Assist the team in shaping and carrying out The Entrepreneurs Network’s policy and research agenda;

  • Author briefing papers, op-eds, newsletters, and blog posts on key policy areas;

  • Represent The Entrepreneurs Network at events — including delivering speeches and briefings to policymakers;

  • Proactively attend events of similar organisations to build a network of policymakers, journalists, entrepreneurs and sponsors;

  • Support and lead in organising events, creating descriptions, researching and inviting speakers, attendees, and sponsors.

Skills

Necessary:

  • Ability to write persuasively to a high standard, across a range of formats (e.g. formal reports, op eds, shorter blogs, briefing notes for policymakers, etc.);

  • Ability to quickly research, analyse, and understand new concepts, issues, or policy areas;

  • Familiarity with the British political system, including how policy is made and the roles different actors and organisations play;

  • Excellent attention to detail and ability to work quickly and meet deadlines;

  • Strong interest in the areas important to The Entrepreneurs Network, plus an alignment with our values;

  • Comfortable using AI tools to support research and writing, while maintaining independent judgment and quality control.

Desirable:

  • Past experience of carrying out research and writing policy reports;

  • Familiarity with the work The Entrepreneurs Network does;

  • Relevant connections who could be useful to The Entrepreneurs Network (e.g. policymakers, journalists, potential sponsors, etc.)

Application Process

To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter to info@tenentrepreneurs.org by midnight on Sunday, 19 April. Please attach your CV and cover letter as a combined PDF, titled in the following format <Firstname Surname — (Senior) Researcher application>. (Include or omit Senior as appropriate.)

In your cover letter, please: 

  • Name three thinkers or commentators who you believe are generally right about the policy areas they focus on (just names will suffice);

  • You are given the power to introduce one major policy change. What would it be and what problem is it designed to solve? (300 words);

  • Indicate which policy areas you think you have the most expertise in (150 words);

  • What do you want to be doing in 5 years’ time, and what are you doing now to get there? (100 words);

  • Mention any other skills that you could bring to the team that are not stated in the job description above (150 words);

  • Include a link to your LinkedIn;

  • State how soon you would be able to join the team after receiving an offer, and whether there are any timing constraints that would be helpful for us to know about.  

Applicants with strong CVs and cover letters will be invited to complete a short task, before being invited for a virtual interview.

Due to the number of applications we expect to receive, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as we may appoint a successful candidate before the closing date.