GSR Research Officer Scheme
Join us as a Research Officer to launch a brilliant career in Government Social Research.
- From:
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Government Social Research Profession - Published
- 10 June 2021
- Last updated
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3
19FebruaryMarch20252024— See all updates
TheOur GSR Research Officer Graduate Scheme isclosed open for applications fromon 3the February18 2025March –2024. 27It Februarywill 2025,reopen 13:55
in Applyspring now 2025.
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
WhyWhat joinqualifications the GSR Researchdo OfficerI Scheme?
There are many benefits to working in the Civil Service. Here are just a few:
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Meaningful work that that makes a difference to society
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Opportunities in a wide range of government departments across the UK
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Ongoing learning and development opportunities
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Flexible working
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25 days annual leave (+8 public holidays)
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Competitive pension scheme
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Inclusive working environment
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
theExperienceRoute.
Qualification Route Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to apply for this route if you meet the following criteria:
·
youHoldhave,anorundergraduateexpectortoachieve,a postgraduate2:2oraboveinyourundergraduatedegree atina minimumrelevantofsocialresearchsubject(criteriaforrelevantsubjectsareoutlinedbelow);ora 2:2 inanysubjectwitha relevantpostgraduatesubjectdegreebyinAugusta2025relevantsocialresearchsubject·
theThequalifyingrelevantsocialresearchdegree must contain asubstantialminimumsocialresearchmethodstraining(comprisingaroundonethirdof 30%modulesintakensocialonthecourse)includingquantitativeresearch methods coveringandallatleastthreeofthe criteriafollowing:systematic/literatureoutlinedreviews;qualitativebelowmethods;interpretation(itofisdatanotandsufficientpresentationofresults;studydesign,hypothesistesting;applicationofethicsto holdresearch.yousatisfyboththe majorityCivilServiceNationalityandRighttoworkin onetheareaUK–requirementscoverageasacrosswealldoareasnotisofferrequired)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:
·
youHoldholdan undergraduate degree, at a minimum of 2:2 in any subject; and have at least 4 years social research practice experience·
yourTosocialresearchpracticeexperienceconsistsofexperienceworkinginaresearchagency,marketresearchagencyorspecialistresearchteamtoapply via this route, you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must includequantitativeresearchmethodsandthreeofthe socialfollowing:researchsystematic/literaturemethodreviews;degreequalitativecontentmethods;criteriainterpretationnotedofindatatheandqualificationpresentationrouteofsection.results;Youstudyneeddesign,tohypothesisprovidetestingevidenceandapplicationof quantitativeethicsresearchtomethodsresearch.yousatisfyboththeCivilServiceNationalityand threeRighttoworkintheUKrequirementsaswedonotoffersponsorship.
It is your responsibility of the following:applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on your application form.
-
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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.
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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 nationalsnationalswith (or eligible for) status under thetheEUSS -
Relevant
RelevantEEA ororTurkish nationals working in the Civil ServiceService -
Relevant
RelevantEEA ororTurkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil ServiceService -
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,MS7.34PowerPointMBPresentation, 15305pagesKB) -
For more information about roles,
thesalarieskindsandrolelocations,youcouldbeworkinginasasocialresearcher,see the --Job Descriptions - GSR Research Officer 2024 (PDFODT, 627177KB, 20 pages)
SocialSocial media media
Please follow our social media accounts to keep up to date with relevant information. information.
X / / Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
Complaints procedure
Complaints must be submitted in writing or email and addressed to:
Head of GESR Recruitment,
Updates
gesrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Please provide the fullest account possible of the circumstances surrounding your complaint.
If you do not submit your complaint within a year after the campaign took place, we will not be obliged to consider it.
Our commitment to you
wewillaimtoacknowledgeyourcomplaintwithinthreeworkingdaysofitsreceiptwewilltakeyourcomplaintseriously,giveithighpriorityandinvestigateitfullyandimpartiallywewillaimtosendyouafullwrittenresponsetoyourcomplaintwithin20workingdaysofitsreceipt.Ifthis pageisnotpossible,wewillletyouknow,andexplainwhyifyourcomplaintisupheld,weshalltakeactiontoensurethattheeventcomplaineddoesnotrecurifyourcomplaintisnotupheld,wewilladviseyouofoptionsforpursuingitfurther,shouldyouwishtodoso
Working for the Civil Service
PublishedThe Civil 10service Junecode sets 2021
Lastout updatedthe 3standards Februaryof 2025
+ showbehaviour allexpected updatesof civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles
-
CivilServiceembracesdiversityandpromotesequalityofopportunity.The GSR
CivilResearchServiceOfficerembracesSchemediversityhasandnowpromotesopenedequalopportunities.Assuch,werunaDisabilityConfidentScheme(DCS)for applications.candidateswithdisabilitieswhomeettheminimumselectioncriteria
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Our GSR Research Officer Scheme closed for applications on the 18 March 2024. It will reopen in spring 2025.
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Q&A session slides have been added.
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The GSR Research Officer Scheme is now open for applications.
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The scheme is closed and information on when it opens in February 2024 has been added
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Link to Civil Service Jobs posting added. Application closing date updated. Candidate guide and example job descriptions added.
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Q&A Session information added.
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Application dates changed for the 2023 GSR Mainstream Campaign.
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Updated - Scheme now open
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Update on 2022 scheme dates
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Candidate pack and job description uploaded
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Candidate pack and job description have been uploaded
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First published.
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Update history
2026-01-27 15:35
Application dates added.
2025-03-07 11:16
Applications are now closed.
2025-02-03 12:30
The GSR Research Officer Scheme has now opened for applications.
2024-03-19 11:58
Our GSR Research Officer Scheme closed for applications on the 18 March 2024. It will reopen in spring 2025.
2024-03-14 10:24
Q&A session slides have been added.
2024-02-19 15:43
The GSR Research Officer Scheme is now open for applications.
2023-10-30 13:34
The scheme is closed and information on when it opens in February 2024 has been added
2023-02-20 11:33
Link to Civil Service Jobs posting added. Application closing date updated. Candidate guide and example job descriptions added.
2023-02-02 11:10
Q&A Session information added.
2023-01-18 16:27
Application dates changed for the 2023 GSR Mainstream Campaign.