Researcher

This is an exciting opportunity to join RICU’s (Research, Information, Communications, Unit) Knowledge Hub in the Counter-Radicalisation and Enablers Unit. We are recruiting for a Researcher to work in RICU’s Knowledge Hub:

We are looking for a motivated senior researcher officer to join our Research Team and deliver first-class research and insight to inform strategic, operational and policy decision making, with a particular focus on online radicalisation. This research will play a pivotal part in informing the delivery of our online policy objectives.

About us:

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair, and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counterterrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration, and passports.

Homeland Security Group’s (HSG) mission is to reduce homeland security risks to the UK’s people, prosperity, and freedoms. This includes risks from terrorism, state threats, economic crime, and cyber-crime. We provide systems leadership across government and deliver strategic initiatives, working closely with operational partners, the Intelligence Agencies and other external organisations to protect the UK.

A unique Home Office team that informs the UK’s Counter Terrorism (CT) community on terrorist use of propaganda and the role the online ecosystem plays in radicalisation. The Counter-Radicalisation and Enablers Unit sits in the Prevent Directorate within HSG and supports a number of strategies that deliver against CONTEST objectives.

The RICU Knowledge Hub is an insight and research-led team responsible for developing and delivering the evidence-base for Prevent interventions in support of counter-terrorism priorities. The overarching aim of Prevent is to reduce the risk to the UK, its citizens, and its interests overseas from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

The RICU Knowledge Hub comprises three distinct but complementary teams (Research, News & Analysis and Data & Innovation), who produce analysis and research to inform customers across Prevent teams, as well as the broader national security community.

Travel: The successful candidate may be expected to travel to other work locations. Occasional international travel may be required based on business need. All related costs will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.

Training: Successful candidates will be expected to complete a six-week training course, entitled ‘The New Analyst Programme (NAP)’.

Essential criteria 

• Demonstrated ability of advanced research skills or practical experience applying analysis and research to inform decision making. To confidently gather and synthesise multiple sources of information and reconcile competing, disputed evidence.
• Evidence of working on counterterrorism, counter-extremism, or related issues, including engaging with academia, industry partners and/or strategic communicators. Additionally, an understanding of the role online communications plays in radicalisation, and how online platforms and communications channels can be exploited to meet terrorist objectives would be a distinct advantage.
• Be an active and supportive team member, demonstrating care for other’s wellbeing, and building a supportive culture and collaborative relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.
• An ability to convey complex messages both verbally and in writing, taking account of the needs of a variety of customers and wider stakeholders, and accurately explain the limitations of analysis.
• Ability to adapt working styles in a demanding environment. This will be demonstrated through previous work in fast-paced environments, responding to new developments and priorities with limited notice. 

Closing date: 10^th August 2025.

Advert information