Trainee researcher

Closing date for applications: Friday 27th February 2026

Training bursary: £19,825

Location: Bristol and on location

Start date: Mid April

Duration: 3 months

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm

Work behind the scenes on Springwatch as a Trainee Researcher, helping uncover new wildlife stories and supporting the production of one of the BBC’s most-loved natural history programmes.

BBC Studios is a globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute the world’s most sought-after TV, audio and digital content. Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining, and inspiring stories for people all around the world. BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU) in Bristol is the home of the much-loved and award-winning Springwatch series, which delivers live television and social media content for the BBC, with a focus on British wildlife.

They currently have a coveted opportunity for a Trainee Researcher to join their team for three months. Throughout their time on the series, the successful candidate will gain experience across the Watches brand, which has grown to represent the home of UK wildlife output on the BBC. In addition to being well respected in UK wildlife science and conservation communities, it also attracts a loyal audience of amateur naturalists and nature enthusiasts.

On the job training will be provided to ensure you have an excellent ground knowledge of how to find the best new science stories, how to set up shoots and how to become confident in archive researching, media management and camera assisting. The trainee will even gain a unique insight from the innovation team into the cutting-edge technology used to capture their animal sequences and will receive ongoing mentor support from experienced researchers on the team.

This is the ideal opportunity for a wildlife-obsessed TV enthusiast to emerge from this scheme with all the skills necessary for a junior researcher position. So, if you are ready to step into the world of wildlife television and work on the productions for some of the biggest factual programmes this broadcaster has to offer, this could be the role for you…

What you will learn

• Full understanding of the television production process across a range of platforms.
• A passion for topical and factual content that focuses on Natural History.
• A full insight into how the team operates.
• Research techniques and storytelling skills.
• Administrative and editorial skills.
• How to generate engaging ideas for a range of audiences.

What we're looking for

• A proven passion and extensive knowledge of British wildlife, through study or via a passionate hobby such as birdwatching.
• An ability to talk to scientists and find all the new research that is coming out, ahead of the competition.
• Particular knowledge of TV production and the types of network programming made by the BBC NHU department.
• Passionate about pursuing a career in TV development.
• Team player with the ability to take initiative.
• Creative and bursting with engaging ideas.
• General understanding of the Springwatch audience
• Demonstrable experience or interest in the media; including enthusiasm for factual content and documentaries.

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 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.