Trainee researcher

Closing date for applications: Monday 21st April 2025 at 11.59pm

Training allowance: London Living Wage

Start date: May 2025

Duration: 12 months

Working hours: 9.30am - 6pm, Monday to Friday

Do you love documentaries and reality TV? Have excellent people skills and a great eye for a story?

Dragonfly is an award-winning production company based in London and Manchester, that makes premium factual programming for the likes of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Discovery+ and Netflix. Since 2020, Dragonfly have been part of Banijay – the world’s largest group of independent production companies. It makes a wide range of shows, including two of the biggest series on the BBC, Ambulance and Surgeons: At The Edge of Life, Amazon Prime dating show Date My Mate, and campaigning documentaries like Sky’s Forced Out.

Dragonly is looking for a brilliant trainee researcher to join them as part of its development team. The successful candidate will learn how to assist with the generation of new ideas, whilst also gaining some hands-on experience with TV productions. Dragonfly is looking for someone who loves TV and watches plenty of it, whether on Netflix, the BBC, or YouTube. They should be able to analyse why a show works (or doesn’t) and use that insight to imagine new TV concepts.

TV is changing rapidly, perhaps more than any other industry; companies all over the world are fighting for the audience's attention. The right candidate will be fascinated by that and ready to take inspiration from the world around them to develop fresh, original ideas for TV.

What you'll learn

After completing this internship, you will have gained a detailed understanding of the TV development and production process. You will have also acquired solid research skills for factual TV and will have a full understanding of the different elements that contribute to a successful TV programme. You'll have learnt not only how to shape new ideas for the rapidly changing TV world, but also how best to pitch them - whether through beautifully designed decks or sizzle tapes. Previous candidates have gone on to successful careers in development and production.


What you'll be doing

• Research - online and phone
• Idea generation
• Pitching
• Deck/treatment writing, including light graphic design
• Introduction to production skills
• Running, casting, production management
• Basic video editing.

Who we're looking for

• Must have demonstrable passion for factual TV
• Great people skills and a professional manner
• Inquisitive, with a 'journalistic' approach
• Entrepreneurial and creative mindset in your work
• Strong written communication skills
• Experience or interest in graphic design and TV editing is welcome
• Previous TV work experience would be an advantage 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

At the interview stage of this recruitment, you will also complete a short written research test to assess your writing and basic research skills and approach.

This opportunity is open to individuals from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.

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.