RESEARCHER OR SENIOR RESEARCHER

We are looking to hire either a new Researcher or Senior Researcher, depending on experience. The successful candidate will be a core member of the team – primarily producing original policy reports and other written outputs, but also contributing on other fronts, such as supporting our events programme and expanding our presence in the policymaking 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, working in a similar role, or to have already demonstrated the core competencies we’re looking for 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. We are able to sponsor visas for international applicants, subject to other relevant conditions being met.

About the job

  • Location: London

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

  • Duration: Permanent

  • Application closing date: Sunday, 28 September 

About The Entrepreneurs Network

The Entrepreneurs Network is a think tank which champions Britain’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. We believe that innovative startups are an essential ingredient for increasing living standards by making people richer and driving progress by providing technological solutions to other pressing issues. We are an independent, non-partisan organisation, and support entrepreneurs by:

  • Producing cutting-edge research into the best policies to support entrepreneurship;

  • Campaigning for policy changes that will help entrepreneurship flourish;

  • Hosting regular events to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and policymakers;

  • Updating entrepreneurs on how policy changes will impact their businesses;

  • Making the case in the media for entrepreneurs’ contributions to society.

We are also the Secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Entrepreneurship, which was set up to encourage, support and promote entrepreneurship and to ensure that Parliament is kept up to date on what is needed to create and sustain the most favourable conditions for entrepreneurship.

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.

Our team tend to work most days in person, together in our FORA shared office in central London. Through our FORA membership, team members can access 24 Restore gyms as well as other perks.

Role

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

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

  • Take ownership of specific thematic areas and proactively identify new policy engagement opportunities;

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

  • Proactively attend events hosted by 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;

  • Contribute to the strategic growth of The Entrepreneurs Network’s policy footprint, including identifying potential collaborations, media engagement opportunities and funding prospects.

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, evidence, issues, or policy areas, and generate clear, actionable policy recommendations;

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

  • Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently, with a proactive approach to identifying new ideas, opportunities and relationships;  

  • Understanding of entrepreneurship policy issues such as access to capital, talent, R&D, tax, innovation funding;

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

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

Desirable:

  • Experience of carrying out research and writing policy reports;

  • Experience of liaising with senior stakeholders including policymakers, founders, funders and journalists;

  • Familiarity with the work The Entrepreneurs Network does;

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

Application process

To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter to info@tenentrepreneurs.org before or on Sunday, 28 September. Please attach your CV and cover letter as a combined PDF, titled in the following format <Forename Surname – (Senior) Researcher application>. (Include or omit Senior as appropriate.)  

In your cover letter, please: 

  • Reference three thinkers, commentators, or organisations who you believe are generally right about the policy areas they focus on; 

  • List three policy areas that you think are particularly important to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Britain, and which you would be interested in researching in more depth;

  • Indicate which policy areas you think you have the most expertise in;

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

  • 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 written task, before being invited for a virtual interview with our Founder and Research Director.

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

Work Experience

  • Location:  Central London or remote

  • Duration: 1 week

  • Applications: Reviewed on a rolling basis

Are you a student or recent graduate excited to break into public policy work? Or perhaps you’re working in another field and are just curious about entrepreneurship policy?

If so, we offer work experience opportunities that give highly motivated people a front-row seat to learn how entrepreneurial ecosystems work and how evidence informs policy makers.

What you might work on

  • Research and writing: collecting and analysing data, and helping to draft policy reports and blogs;

  • Events: supporting the planning and smooth running of roundtables, receptions, report launches and other events;

  • Stakeholder engagement: networking with founders, investors and policymakers crucial to our work;

  • Team support: administrative tasks that keep our small team moving;

  • Policy input: contributing to the work of the APPG for Entrepreneurship, Young Entrepreneurs Forum or the Female Founders Forum.

What you’ll gain

  • A tailored project plan aligned with your experience, interests and goals;

  • Regular feedback to help you sharpen your skills;

  • Flexibility to fit around study, other responsibilities or a return to work;

  • A reference on completion and consideration for a paid internship;

  • Reimbursement of reasonable travel and lunch expenses.

To apply, please email your CV and a 150-word cover letter to info@tenentrepreneurs.org that sets out what interests you most about working with us. Please also include your availability for the work experience when applying.

All those who complete work experience with us will be considered for longer-term, paid internships.