GSR Research Officer Scheme

About Government Social Research (GSR) 

We are the professional body for social researchers in the Civil Service. Our social researchers study and analyse various aspects of society, like people’s behaviour, opinions, and needs. This then helps the government make informed decisions.  

We recruit students, graduates, and apprentices to work in over 30 government departments across the UK, from the Ministry of Justice to the Office for National Statistics. With over 2,500 members working across government, you will be joining an established community of social research professionals, getting access to all the training, networking, and access opportunities that come with being part of a social research community that has a diverse array of experiences and professional knowledge. 

What would I do as a Research Officer? 

Government social researchers play a critical role in gathering, analysing, and interpreting the information whichthat forms the foundation for decisiondecision-making makingaffecting for policies which affect every UK resident.  

As a Research Officer working in the Civil Service, you would contribute through analysis of social trends, development of government policy, and evaluationevaluating of how policies make a difference to public services.    

Your work might involve developing surveys, analysing data, producing statistics, reviewing existing research evidence, and working with other analysts in government to provide timely and relevant briefings for policy colleagues and ministers.  

Where

As a Research Officer, you would Ijoin work? 

a vibrant community of over 2,500 social research professionals working across more than 30 government departments and agencies. 

Where would I work?  

work? 

This year, we have opportunities available in the following locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Salford, Sheffield, York.Treforest Location(Pontypridd) variesand by government department, please check the Job Descriptions - GSR Research Officer 2024 (PDF, 627 KB, 20 pages) for details.Wolverhampton.  

How much would I get paid? 

Salaries vary according to department and location,location so please check the Jobjob Descriptionsdescriptions - GSR Research Officer 2024 (PDF, 627 KB, 20 pages) for details. This is the minimum you would be paid: London: £37,170£34,410 / Nationwide: £33,015£31,120

Why

What joinqualifications the GSR Researchdo OfficerI Scheme? 

There are many benefits to working in the Civil Service. Here are just a few:  

• Meaningful work that that makes a difference to society 

• Opportunities in a wide range of government departments across the UK 

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities 

• Flexible working 

• 25 days annual leave (+8 public holidays) 

• Competitive pension scheme 

• Inclusive working environment 

need?

Who is eligible? 

Government Social Research (GSR) members come from a range of social science related backgrounds. backgrounds.

There are two entry routes into the the GSR Research Research Officer Scheme: Scheme:

• the Qualification Route

OR

• the Experience Route.

Qualification Route Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for this route if you meet the following criteria:

·

• you Holdhave, anor undergraduateexpect orto achieve, a postgraduate2:2 or above in your undergraduate degree atin a minimumrelevant ofsocial research subject (criteria for relevant subjects are outlined below); or
  a 2:2 in any subject with a relevantpostgraduate subjectdegree byin Augusta 2025
  relevant social research subject

• ·the Thequalifying relevantsocial research degree must contain asubstantial minimumsocial research methods training (comprising around one third of 30%modules intaken socialon the course) including quantitative research methods coveringand allat least three of the criteriafollowing:

• systematic/literature outlinedreviews;
• qualitative belowmethods;
• interpretation (itof isdata notand sufficientpresentation of results;
• study design, hypothesis testing;
• application of ethics to holdresearch.
• you satisfy both the majorityCivil Service Nationality and Right to work in onethe areaUK –requirements coverageas acrosswe alldo areasnot isoffer required)
  sponsorship.

It isyour the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on application. Please ensure you indicate the application.number of credits associated with the relevant modules covering your social research methods training as well as your degree’s total number of credits. 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.

Experience Route Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for this route if you meet the following criteria:

·

• you Holdhold an undergraduate degree, at a minimum of 2:2 in any subject; and have at least 4 years social research practice experience

  ·

• your Tosocial research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team
• to apply via this route, you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the socialfollowing: researchsystematic/literature methodreviews; degreequalitative contentmethods; criteriainterpretation notedof indata theand qualificationpresentation routeof section.results; Youstudy needdesign, tohypothesis providetesting evidenceand application of quantitativeethics researchto methodsresearch.
• you satisfy both the Civil Service Nationality and threeRight to work in the UK requirements as we do not offer sponsorship.

It is your responsibility of the following:applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on your application form.

1. Why join the GSR Research Officer Scheme?

   Systematic/literatureThere reviewsare many benefits to working in the Civil Service. Here are just a few: 

   • Meaningful work that that makes a difference to society

   • QualitativeWide methods

     range of government departments
   • Opportunities across the UK

   • InterpretationFlexible ofworking

   • 25 datadays andannual presentationleave of(+8 results
     public holidays)
   • Competitive pension scheme
   • Inclusive working environment

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• Stage qualify2: asFill aout relevantthe subject,short aapplication degreeform.
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  full application form. The form will ask you for information including details about your degree.

  1. QualitativeStage methods,5: includingBased researchon design,the dataperformance collectionof (i.e.,all interviewing,applicants, focusa groups,final ethnographic),pass datamark analysiswill (e.g.,be thematicset analysis)

     for the online tests. This may be higher than the minimum standard for both tests. [This is a process carried out by admin staff.]

  2. StudyStage design,6: hypothesisIf formation,you testingpass andboth evaluation

     online tests, you will be invited to sit the GSR knowledge test (offline). Full details of this test will be provided if you reach this stage.

  3. Systematic/literatureStage reviews

     7: If you pass the GSR knowledge test your application will be sent on to sifters, who will consider whether you have demonstrated that your degree contains sufficient social research content. [This is a process carried out by staff.]

  4. interpretationStage of8: dataIf (qualitativeyou andpass quantitative),the presentationsift, ofyou results,will provisionbe ofinvited recommendations/to conclusions

     a virtual interview. The behaviours that you will be assessed against are:
  5. Managing a quality service

  6. ApplicationCommunicating ofand ethicsinfluence

  7. Working together
  8. Further information on what to research
     expect at the interviews will be sent to candidates invited to attend.

It

What isformat will the responsibilityinterview take?

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Join

The Civil ourService VirtualBehaviours Q&Aframework Session 

can be found here and further guidance on Success Profiles can be found on Civil Service Jobs here.

WeAn areexample holdingof ana onlineBehavioural Q&Aquestion sessionwould viabe: MicrosoftTell Teamsme forabout anyonea whotime iswhen consideringyou’ve applying.had Jointo usdeal towith heara fromdifficult somecustomer. currentIt researchmay officershelp andto use one or more examples of a memberpiece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in, and use the recruitmentSTAR   team.model Thisto willexplain: take   placeSituation on: 

Thursday- 13the Februarysituation 2025,you 16:30had –to 17:30, deal joinwith; Task - the meetingtask nowyou were given to do; Action - the action you took; and Result - what happened as a result of your action and what you learned from the experience?

Nationality requirements requirements

The Civil Service Nationality Rules are written into law, they are exempt from the Equality Act 2010 and must be followed. They outline who can and cannot work in the Civil Service. Service.

In summary,summary from 11st January 2021 broadly the following groups will be able to work in the non-reserved posts within the Civil Service: Service:

• UK nationals 

  nationals

• Nationals of Commonwealth countries 

  countries

• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland 

  Ireland

• EEA nationals nationals with (or eligible for) status under the the EUSS 

• Relevant Relevant EEA or or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service 

  Service

• Relevant Relevant EEA or or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service 

  Service

• Certain family members of the relevant EU & Turkish nationals 

  nationals

A reserved post can be filled only by UK Nationals. A non-reserved post is open to nationals from the countries and associations of countries outlined above. These posts are non-reserved posts. posts.

If you fail to follow these rules the appointment will be deemed illegal. Your Your  employment will be terminated with immediate effect. effect.

The Government Recruitment Service (GRS) checks candidates against the nationality rules as part of the pre-employment checks. checks.

Right to work: immigrationImmigration requirements 

requirements

You must have the right to work in the United Kingdom and meet the Immigration and Visa requirements for the scheme. scheme.

Further details can be found on the the Gov.uk Visas and Immigration page 

Before the appointment of the successful candidate can be confirmed, the employing department will undertake background security checks. As part of these,this, we will need to confirm your identity, course details over the past three years (or employment details if you were in employment), nationality and immigration status, and criminal record (unspent convictions only). only).

All employees must meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This is a series of basic security checks to confirm identity, right to work in the UK, employment history and,& where relevant, details of any criminal record. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. appointed.

Additionally, some roles within the governmentGovernment will require you to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC), or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. appointment.

To meet meet CTC, , SC or  or DV requirements, requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3, 5 or 10 years prior to the date of application (the level of checks that are required are stated in the advert; advert; more information on the levels can be found here ). ). If you do not satisfy the residency criteria, an application may be submitted and a decision will be made on a case by case basis; consideration will be given to where you lived, how long you were out of the UK and why you were abroad. abroad.

If you are applying for a role requiring security clearance, please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However,However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK. UK.

All offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of of BPSS and and National Security Vetting. Candidates should not resign from their current job until these checks have been successfully completed.

Allocation to a GSR department

You will be assigned into a department for your first posting within the GSR, with an expectation of staying in this department for two years.

We will take into consideration candidates’ preferences on location but may not be able to fulfil these on all occasions. It is worth noting that any role in the Civil Service will be a rewarding opportunity.

The Civil Service is committed to becoming the most inclusive employer in the UK.

We are committed to understanding, respecting and representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society. We know that diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil Service. Our vision is to ensure the Civil Service represents modern Britain and is a truly inclusive employer - an example to other employers. We will create an organisation where diversity is not only respected and valued - but celebrated.

What is in it for me?

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us - regardless of background. If you are interested in developing your career with us – starting with this interesting and challenging role – or doing things differently and inspiring colleagues, then the Civil Service is the place for you. Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development.

What is next?

You’ve taken the first step and looked through this page to understand the skills and experience needed to perform this role. Now join us in achieving our ambitions and let us help you achieve yours. Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy: 2022 to 2025.

Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, we will always consider making reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and selection process. We are therefore committed to meeting, wherever possible, any needs you specify in your application. We will also consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Act to enable any applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post.

How to Apply

Details on how to apply for the 2025 scheme will be published here in spring 2025.

Resources for applicants  

applicants

• For more information about the recruitment process, see the - - Candidate Guide - GSR Research Officer 2024 (PDF,MS 7.34PowerPoint MBPresentation, 15305 pagesKB)

• For more information about roles,the salarieskinds androle locations,you could be working in as a social researcher, see the - - Job Descriptions - GSR Research Officer 2024 (PDFODT, 627177 KB, 20 pages)

Apply now

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Complaints procedure

Complaints must be submitted in writing or email and addressed to:

Head of GESR Recruitment,