Senior Research Analyst (Crisis & Security)

Job Description

Job Description

Trilateral Research have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Research Analyst to join TRI’s Innovation & Research team (Crisis & Security Team). In this role you will lead and execute Trilateral’s work in the EU funded EURMARS project, which will develop a secure maritime surveillance platform to improve border security efficiency and cooperation. Initially this is offered as a fixed-term, 12-month contract with the possibility to extend.

Our company and what we do

At Trilateral Research we provide ethical AI solutions for tackling complex social issues, from human trafficking and child exploitation, citizen security in crisis to pollution and climate change. We transform research into innovation and sustainable impact​, focusing our efforts where we can enhance societal wellbeing.

We apply rigorous, cutting-edge research when developing and accessing new technologies to ensure they achieve sustainable innovation and measurable impact. Our teams include humanities specialists, social scientists, data scientists, ethical, legal and human rights experts who work across the technology-social disciplinary divide.

What are your responsibilities?

• Documenting, advising and mentoring project partners on ethical issues arising in the project and how they are handled.
• Ensuring independent, effective and timely delivery of contributions to the project in direct communication with client, partners, and collaborators.
• Conducting research and developing a blueprint on responsible research and innovation (RRI) approaches to border management surveillance adopted across various EU projects.
• Understand the implications of the proposed EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act and conducting foresight compliance research and analysis for the technology developed.
• Engage via primary research with end-users (e.g., border guards), to identify and advise project partners on explainable AI components of the technology developed.
• Developing and conducting a training package for border guards on the ethical use of the technology.
• Grow knowledge of funding schemes and application processes e.g., Horizon Europe, commercial tenders.
• Undertaking some project travel to project plenary meetings, and to monitor/train on ethical issues within pilot/demonstration activities.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to create tangible research-driven impact.

What skills and experience you will bring to the role

• Good understanding of the ethical, legal, social, and human rights challenges of border management surveillance (Essential)
• Knowledge/awareness of EU and/or national institutional and policy frameworks and standards, ideally in the field of crisis and security (Essential)
• Good multi-disciplinary stakeholder engagement skills, particularly experience working with public sector security professionals and/or technology developers (Essential)
• Ability to conduct impact assessments on privacy, ethics, social or human rights issues. (Essential)
• Ability to conduct training (Essential)
• Good understanding of qualitative research methods (Essential)
• Excellent attention to detail (Essential)
• Good understanding of EU infrastructure and policy relevant to border management and surveillance (Desirable)
• Knowledge of data protection and research ethics (Desirable)
• Experience with project administrative and budgetary requirements and issues (Desirable)
• Successful experience developing research proposals, funding relationships and/or tender/bid writing (Desirable)
• Publication record in peer-reviewed academic journals and/or other outlets (Desirable)

Interpersonal Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills, including an ability to effectively communicate across and outside the organization (Essential)
• Excellent/proactive problem-solving and analytical skills (Essential)
• Strong organisational and planning skills (Essential)
• Adherence to shared values: Commitment to Excellence, Knowledge sharing, Adaptability, Mucking-in, Trust, Respect (Essential)

• PhD (in hand or near completion) or Masters (completed) in relevant Social Sciences or Humanities field; preference will be given to candidates with interdisciplinary backgrounds (Essential)
• Experience researching and advising on ethics, law, policy or compliance issues or managing projects (Essential)
• Experience in carrying out stakeholder engagement, co-design, or other applied methods (Essential)
• Experience leading tasks and/or coordination of EU-funded projects (Desirable)
• Team leadership and management experience (Desirable)
• Track record of building relationships with research collaborators (Desirable)

About us

Our culture is based on delivering high-quality outputs, through our commitment and passion for what we do. We work in an open and collaborative environment where the team culture provides support amongst peers and colleagues. We believe in the strength of a diverse, gender-balanced environment with positive work-life balance, and value the passion and talents of our team.

Find out about our people and culture, and see how our mission drives the research projects we take on, the key data protection services we provide, and the technology products and supplementary services we develop, by visiting our website Trilateral Research.

What else do I need to know?

Our compensation package includes:

• Competitive salary
• Flexible working hours
• Remote working/working from home options
• Competitive pension scheme (applies to permanent contract only)
• Continuous career development
• A friendly and enthusiastic team of experts in the field

Contract type: For Ireland based candidates – fixed-term, full-time Employment Contract; for EU-based candidates – Fixed Term Consultant Contract

How to apply

Please submit both your CV and a cover letter, linking your experience to our requirements in order to have your application considered. References will be required prior to appointment and candidates must be eligible to work in the UK/IE

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We are a Disability Confident committed and Living Wage employer.

At Trilateral Research, we value privacy and data protection rights. We have a longstanding data protection culture and promote robust ethical standards in data management and research ethics. Please read our Recruitment Privacy Notice in relation to our recruitment activities before submitting your application to work with us.