Trainee researcher

Closing date: 10th June 2024 at 11.59pm

Salary: £19,061 via a training bursary

Duration: 12 months

Working hours: 10am – 6pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional need to work outside those hours that will be given back in lieu

Location: Media City, Salford (at least 3 days per week onsite depending on production schedules)

Start date: Late June to Early July 2024

Gain a unique understanding of the researcher role in journalistic filmmaking through this 12-month placement with BBC Studios.

The Documentary Unit, BBC Studios is known for its reputational series and singles and produces some of the most awarded and watched factual titles in television. 

This is an exciting chance to work as a trainee researcher, supporting the Rip Off Britain, Scam Interceptors and The One Show teams. You will work closely with the researchers, assistant producers and producers within the editorial team.

About the programmes

Rip Off Britain is the consumer-affairs powerhouse of the BBC Daytime schedule, mixing incisive consumer investigations, compelling human stories and invaluable advice. It holds to account the companies getting things wrong, leaving people out of pocket. 

The One Show VT team in Salford produces Current Affairs and Arts films for BBC One’s ‘The One Show’ which remains the most-watched factual magazine programme on TV. 

The team is also behind the BAFTA-nominated BBC1 Scam Interceptors series, which uses ethical hacking to expose and intervene in live scams.

Key activities

• Fact-finding, calling collaborators to find new information and check existing research notes.
• Fact-checking scripts.
• Reading relevant literature to help inform stories - writing up key points in an easy-to-digest form.
• Story finding – using traditional news outlets and social media to look for relevant cases.
• Reaching out to and interviewing contributors, particularly on the telephone.
• Investigating scams and supporting the team in ‘scambaiting’ for Scam Interceptors.

What we're looking for

• An interest in consumer stories and current affairs.
• Passionate about storytelling.
• Confident speaking on the phone.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• A good team player, hardworking and enthusiastic.
• A driving license would be beneficial but not essential.

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk

This opportunity is specifically created for individuals from specific groups that are under-represented across the creative industries and at BBC Studios. Those backgrounds include, but aren’t limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled people, those undergoing gender reassignment / transitioning and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more.