Assistant Researcher programme

We value our Assistant Researchers – they gain experience and new skills working with us.

We employ several Assistant Researchers each year to undertake core analysis and research related to Ridgeway’s business. These projects are often for high-profile clients and focus on pressing international issues and themes.

Assistant Researchers are assigned to one theme or a specific project, or they may work across a range of different projects depending on business needs, the researcher’s skill set and preference. We currently have assistant researchers working across commercial and public sector projects.

Who we are looking for

Every year, we look for Assistant Researchers to join our nuclear non-proliferation research team. They work 4 days per calendar month, remotely or in our London office, for 12 months. They are normally based in the UK, preferably near London, for the duration of the programme.

Successful candidates have:

  • Permission to work in the UK by the start of the employment (unfortunately, we cannot sponsor working visas for this role, and the process to acquire the relevant documentation can take a long time)

  • A 2:1 (or equivalent) or above undergraduate degree

  • University enrolment as a postgraduate student in the current academic year

  • Strong research and communications skills

  • A keen interest in public policy and/or international affairs

  • The ability to work independently with minimal supervision

They usually have:

  • Language skills (e.g., Arabic, Farsi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Turkish)

  • Technical knowledge (e.g., ArcGIS, Python, R)

They gain:

  • London Living Wage pay

  • Training in open-source and innovative research methods

  • Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, which includes mental health support

  • Potential opportunities to work extra days by mutual agreement

How to apply:
Applications for this role are now closed.

Applications for the 2023-24 cohort will open in September 2023.

Recruitment at Ridgeway

Ridgeway Information values diversity. We welcome applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, ages and experiences, and we highly encourage applications from people of colour, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. If you require reasonable accommodation to fill in this application, interviewing or any other participation in this process, please email applications@ridgeway-information.com including ‘Accessibility help’ in your email title

In line with our commitments to Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) more broadly, all applications will be considered blind to gender, race/ethnicity, and educational institutions. You are not required to report this information.

Outcomes and career development

This is a very successful programme and brings all-round benefits to participants, clients and Ridgeway as a whole. Assistant Researchers gain experience of working on analysis and research projects with real-world impacts.

Assistant Researchers get valuable opportunities to further expand and showcase their research and analysis skills, and see how these can be applied in professional settings. The programme is an extremely positive experience that builds confidence and often opens up new career ideas and opportunities.

Previous Assistant Researchers have transitioned to full-time research roles at Ridgeway. Others have gone on to work for the US State Department, the US Department of Defense, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the UK Treasury, UN agencies, the charity sector and British Aerospace.

We are extremely proud of our assistant researcher alumni and aim to stay in touch through a range of events and networking opportunities.

Check back to this page regularly or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for updates.