Specialist Librarian - Freelance

RAND Europe is an independent, not-for-profit research organisation whose mission is to help improve policy and decision-making through rigorous and independent research and analysis. We benefit the public interest through the impact and wide dissemination of over 200 projects per year. Our work at its most impactful changes policy, practice and process to the benefit of the public good. That is also our organisational mission. 

RAND Europe has approximately 200 staff across offices in Cambridge, Brussels, and the Hague. Our staff represents 22 nationalities, speaks over 20 languages and covers 31 academic disciplines. Our multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to research generate unique perspectives and insights for our wide-ranging government, foundation and other NGO clients. 

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Specialist Librarian to join RAND Europe's research support function on a freelance basis, providing specialist library and information services for systematic reviews and other literature reviews.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced research librarian to play a vital and flexible role in supporting high-impact, policy-relevant research, working in close partnership with our multidisciplinary research teams. This would include supporting frameworks such as evidence synthesis for the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, advising on specific literature reviews with direct impact for policy-making. Our projects typically have rapid turnarounds of weeks and months, requiring rapid and flexible support to support delivery of timely and relevant research. 

The successful candidate will bring demonstrable expertise in systematic review methodology, comprehensive literature searching, and evidence synthesis best practice, contributing to the rigour and quality of RAND Europe's research outputs. You will be a flexible and collaborative professional who thrives in a dynamic research environment, brings strong technical skills in information discovery and management, and is energised by swift, client-focused research support.

This role will work on an Freelance/Associate basis, which is designed for individuals who provide services to RAND Europe in a self-employed capacity, rather than as members of our employed workforce. The support from the Associate Librarian will be on an on-demand, flexible, and project-specific basis.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute comprehensive, reproducible literature search strategies for systematic reviews, scoping reviews, rapid evidence assessments, evidence maps, and other evidence synthesis projects, primarily in the field of health and healthcare
• Support all stages of the evidence synthesis process, including protocol development, development and review of search strategies, and documentation of methodology in line with applicable reporting standards (such as PRISMA)
• Provide expert consultancy and guidance to research teams on systematic and scoping review methods, processes, and tools, including at the proposal development stage
• Conduct searches across a wide range of bibliographic databases (including MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and others) using MeSH, Emtree, Boolean, keyword, and proximity search techniques
• Define and execute 'grey' literature searches across relevant repositories including government and parliamentary publications, clinical guidelines, HTA databases, and international organisation sources
• Evaluate and advise on the appropriate use of AI-assisted and technology-supported tools for evidence synthesis (e.g., Covidence, DistillerSR, Elicit, Rayyan), maintaining a transparent, critical, and methodologically rigorous approach to their application
• Define and maintain bibliographic records using reference management software, including EndNote and Zotero
• Contribute to the training and guidance of research staff on information literacy, literature searching skills, and evidence synthesis methods
• Contribute to the development and improvement of internal guidance, templates, and resources relating to systematic review and evidence synthesis practice

Requirements

Essential

• Postgraduate qualification in library and information science, information management, or a closely related field, ideally from a CILIP-accredited programme or equivalent
• Substantial experience providing library and information services in a research, academic, or health sciences library setting, with direct and demonstrable involvement in systematic review and evidence synthesis work
• Expertise in designing and documenting systematic literature searches, with strong working knowledge of systematic review and evidence synthesis methodology and standards
• Proficiency searching major health and biomedical bibliographic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL) and general academic databases (e.g., Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, EBSCOhost platforms)
• Thorough knowledge of relevant reporting guidelines and methodological standards, including PRISMA, PRESS, and Cochrane or JBI methods
• Experience conducting grey literature searches across health-related and public policy domains
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to communicate complex methodological information clearly to non-specialist audiences
• Strong attention to detail, well-developed organisational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced research environment
• Collaborative approach and the ability to build effective working relationships across multidisciplinary teams
• Commitment to evidence synthesis best practices and to the highest professional standards in search strategy development, methodological documentation, and quality assurance

Desirable

• Experience working in a research consultancy, think tank, policy research institute, or equivalent environment
• CILIP membership or chartership (MCLIP or FCLIP), or membership of other relevant professional bodies such as EAHIL or CILIP Health Libraries Group
• Experience with AI-assisted and technology-supported evidence synthesis tools (e.g., Covidence, DistillerSR, Elicit)
• Academic background or professional experience in a health, biomedical, or public health discipline
• Knowledge of health technology assessment (HTA) frameworks, or experience working with or for organisations such as NICE, ECDC, EMA, WHO, or Cochrane
• Experience providing formal or informal training and coaching to researchers on literature searching and evidence synthesis

• Familiarity with research funding and grant proposal processes in a UK or European context

RAND Europe offers a stimulating, intellectually rewarding, and collegial working environment, with competitive remuneration. We work across a wide range of topics and clients, including the UK Government and European Union institutions, and provide an opportunity to engage on an exciting range of topics, tools, and clients. 

If you believe you are suited to the above role, please submit an application below. We will be speaking with suitable candidates as they apply.