Government Social Research - Research Officer Graduate Scheme

Job Description

The Government Social Research Profession:

• Provides analytical insight to enable decision makers to understand systems, processes, and change associated with people, groups, organisations, and society – for example measuring their attitudes, perceptions, behaviours, and intentions – to inform and improve the quality of delivery, policy debate, and decision-making.
• Anticipates and evaluates the impact of government decisions, enhancing collective understanding of ‘what works, for whom, to what extent, in what contexts, how and why/why not?’
• Provides expert social research advice and evidence to design, challenge, trial, improve and implement government policy and delivery.
• Maintains and grows social research professional skills, knowledge, and expertise amongst its members.
• Seeks to fully represent society through our membership profile and the work that we do.

Person Specification

To be eligible for a Research Officer Role, there are two entry routes – either the Qualification Route or the Experience Route.

Qualification Route Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply through the qualification route, applicants MUST:

• Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of a 2:2 by August 2026.
• The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course), including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following:
• Systematic/literature reviews
• Qualitative methods
• Interpretation of data and presentation of results
• Study design and Hypothesis testing.
• The application of ethics to research

Experience Route Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for GSR Membership through the experience route, applicants MUST:

• Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g., an Advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience.
• Social research practice consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency, or specialist research team. Your application must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and at least three of the following:
• Systematic/literature reviews
• Qualitative methods
• Interpretation of data and presentation of results
• Study design & Hypothesis testing.
• The application of ethics to research

Whichever the chosen entry route, it is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on their application. Please ensure you indicate the number of credits associated with the relevant modules covering your social research methods training.

We receive a high volume of applications for the scheme, so please ensure you are clear and concise in outlining the relevant modules for consideration.

These two entry routes, the Qualification Route and the Experience Route, also require you to satisfy both the Civil Service Nationality Rules and the Right to work in the UK requirements. Please note, we do not offer visa sponsorship.

If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to CTC/SC/DV level. More information about the vetting process can be found at the following link on Security Vetting and Clearance Levels Guidance.

In addition, some departments require candidates to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years having spent no period longer than 3 months outside of the UK to get security clearance.

Qualifications

You need at least a 2:2 or higher in your undergraduate degree and to satisfy either of the entry routes (qualification route or experience route) described above.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical Skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be invited to complete a GSR Knowledge Test prior to sift. If successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to attend an interview which will include assessment of your technical professional skills as a Social Researcher.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• A Civil Service pension
• Access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning
• An extra day off for The King’s birthday

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.