Moonshot believes that marginalised people in society — including minority ethnic people, people from working class backgrounds, women, Disabled and LGBTQIA+ people — must be centred in the work we do. We strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other communities who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We know a diverse workforce will enable us to understand drivers behind violent extremism and online harms in an in-depth way and do better work to counter them.

Candidates will be expected to undertake and pass a police check and additional checks for security clearance at an SC level - typically a minimum of three years’ continuous UK residency within the past five years.

About the role:

Moonshot is currently recruiting a Lead Investigator (Digital Investigations) as part of an existing programme of work. In this role, you will be focused on gathering and analysing open-source online data and carrying out aspects of delivery for a specific organised crime project. You will also be expected to work to advance our research methodologies and support the strategic understanding of our clients.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading complex digital investigations into organised crime and other online harms, ensuring investigative lines are developed, tested, and evidenced.
• Directing analysis of OSINT, social media activity, dark web and illicit marketplace material, and other digital data sources, including outputs from proprietary investigative tools.
• Setting investigative priorities, hypotheses, and methodologies, and ensuring findings are rigorously validated.
• Producing and quality-assuring high-impact reports, briefings, and threat assessments under demanding client reporting schedules.
• Developing and documenting advanced investigative methodologies and tradecraft, and embedding these across the team.
• Delivering training, mentoring, and guidance to team members to raise investigative standards and build technical capability.
• Managing projects and investigations to completion, ensuring outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality.
• Maintaining active subject matter expertise on organised crime, online harms, and digital investigative techniques, and acting as the organisation’s lead authority in this area.
• Managing key relationships with clients, partner organisations and other stakeholders.
• Identifying and mitigating operational, reputational, and security risks within investigative projects.
• Supporting business development by scoping investigative opportunities, advising on proposals, and cultivating relationships with clients and partners.

Requirements

Essential:

• Candidates will be expected to undertake DBS checks or have, and be willing to apply for SC clearance - typically a minimum of three years’ continuous UK residency.
• Substantial professional experience leading complex digital investigations, with demonstrable expertise in OSINT and open-source research methods.
• Proven subject matter expertise in organised crime, online harms, or related public safety threats, gained through professional or research experience.
• Strong technical proficiency with digital investigative tools and methods, such as social media analytics, dark web research, data visualisation, and other OSINT toolsets.
• Demonstrated ability to design and apply investigative methodologies, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Track record of producing authoritative investigative reports, threat assessments, or intelligence products for decision-makers.
• Experience leading and mentoring investigative teams, setting priorities, and ensuring rigour in analytical outputs.
• Exceptional analytical ability, including recognising subtle patterns, connections, and anomalies across large and complex datasets.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver to high standards in fast-paced and high-stakes environments, managing both personal and team workloads effectively.
• Intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and strong awareness of new technologies and platforms relevant to digital investigation.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present investigative findings with clarity and authority.
• Willingness to be on-call and occasionally work outside regular hours in response to incidents or urgent client requirements.
• We require and will check on candidates' eligibility to work in the UK and pass any relevant security clearance procedures per the needs of clients.

Desirable: 

• Security clearance at an SC level or higher in current role.
• Previous law enforcement investigation experience.

Benefits

• 30 ​days​ paid​ ​leave​ ​per​ ​annum.
• Private ​healthcare​ ​ package,​ including​ ​coverage​ ​for​ ​partners​ ​and​​ children.
• Employee Assistance Programme providing access to mental health support.
• Generous maternity and paternity leave: 26 weeks paid maternity leave, 8 weeks paid paternity leave.
• All permanent employees are granted share options upon employment.

Salary:  £50,000 - £67,000 Depending on skills and experience