Researcher – Dispatches Investigations Unit

Reports to: Team Leader, Dispatches Investigation Unit and Commissioning Editor, Dispatches
Department: Commissioning - News and Current Affairs
Status: 6 month FTC
Location: This position can be based in any of our offices including Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester
Grade: P2
Salary: £35,000

Conduct in-depth research for bold, investigative journalism that informs major Channel 4 documentaries and programmes.

Channel 4 creates innovative and alternative content which is distributed for free and admired globally.

Channel Four’s current affairs department is known for its multi award-winning films that have investigative and revelatory journalism at their heart.The department is responsible for commissioning a wide range of current affairs programmes, including Channel Four News, Dispatches, Unreported World, Untold, major current affairs documentaries, studio programmes and series.

The dedicated C4 Dispatches Investigations Unit pursues original investigative journalism to generate high profile programmes that are made by independent producers. It is at the core of the remit-defining, noisy and bold investigations for which Dispatches and the wider current affairs department has won both headlines and major awards. The C4 Dispatches Investigations Unit has already made waves by being behind high impact programmes including Russell Brand: In Plain Sight and The King, The Prince & Their Secret Millions

Job purpose

As the researcher for the Channel 4 Dispatches Investigations Unit, you will be the foundation of this award-winning team – providing the detailed and rigorous research that supports the remit defining, noisy and bold journalism the unit delivers.

You will deploy a wide range of research skills to supercharge investigations, including AI (Artificial Intelligence) and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence).

You will work alongside the Investigations Editor and two senior journalists in a supportive environment that is focused on delivering in depth, robust and high-quality journalism.

Your research will be at the heart of hard-hitting programmes made by the country’s most talented current affairs directors and production companies.

Key responsibilities

• Research investigative and revelatory stories that can form the basis of films for Dispatches, Untold and the wider current affairs output.
• Use and identify investigative tools including AI, OSINT, FOIs and other methods to create an evidence base for the rigorous journalism at the heart of C4 Dispatches Investigations Unit.
• Assist in the running of the C4 Dispatches Investigations Unit.
• Represent the C4 Dispatches Investigations Unit to external partners and collaborators including independent productions companies, freelance journalists and other media organisations.
  

Essential experience and skills

Technical & Professional Skills

• A proven track record in investigative journalism.
• A deep knowledge of the latest techniques in journalistic research including data journalism, AI assisted research and OSINT.
• A proven ability to work autonomously and execute independent editorial judgement.
• A proven track record of generating and developing ideas.
• Demonstrated understanding of legal, ethical and regulatory issues around television production.
• Good relationships and contacts within journalism and current affairs.
• The ability to work effectively across several different investigations at any one time.
• The ability to clearly present detailed information to colleagues, including senior leaders.
• A desire to work collaboratively with colleagues and collaborators.
  

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.