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- Tasks: Conduct impactful behavioural science research to enhance UK national security.
- Company: Join MI5, a key player in protecting the UK from serious threats.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, competitive salary, and generous leave policies.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while collaborating with experts across government and academia.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in behavioural science with research experience required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 64302 - 64302 ÂŁ per year.
Flexible working: Full time and part time hours are available. This is an office-based role, and you will be able to benefit from flexitime and compressed hours, subject to business need. Due to the sensitive nature of the role, remote, hybrid or home working are not possible.
About us: MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.
The role: Behavioural science is a critical capability supporting colleagues across MI5 and the wider protective security community. In everything we do, we provide evidence‑based insights that strengthen the UK’s resilience to insider risk, sabotage, espionage, terrorism and hostile state threats. And as you work with partners across government, academia and specialist sectors, you will gain a unique insight into how behavioural science shapes protective security across MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. Joining our behavioural science team means stepping into a role where every day brings something different. You might be identifying research needs, designing studies, analysing data, or working alongside subject matter experts to understand emerging risks. You will lead and contribute to research projects, translate findings into clear, accessible products such as briefings, training materials and guidance, and support colleagues in applying behavioural insights in their work. It’s all about delivering high quality, defensible research that has real‑world impact, while continually strengthening our research practice and evidence base. Some roles may require line management of other behavioural science researchers, which can be discussed at interview stage. There may also be opportunities to travel to partner offices across the UK, and occasionally overseas, depending on business need.
About you: You have a strong foundation in behavioural science, supported by at least a master’s level qualification that includes a significant research component. You will have experience designing and delivering quantitative or qualitative research, and be confident applying behavioural science in applied or operational settings. You’ll also be comfortable working with data, conducting analysis and producing research that is both defensible and accessible. As much of the role involves translating complex research into clear, practical advice, you will need to communicate specialist concepts in a way that people across the organisation can understand. High quality written and verbal communication skills will help you explain ideas simply, adapt your message to different audiences and support colleagues who rely on your insight. You will be an adaptable and supportive team player, ready to collaborate across disciplines and work with colleagues from a range of scientific and non‑scientific backgrounds. Skills such as teamwork, problem solving and relationship building are essential, as is the ability to work sensitively and constructively with partners. An interest in applied behavioural science – including areas such as insider risk, security culture and behaviour change – will help you thrive here. These are the areas where behavioural science has real world impact, and your curiosity and commitment to learning will support your growth as you take on increasingly complex and meaningful work.
Training and development: When you join the Behavioural Science team, you’ll begin with a full organisational induction and internal training to help you feel confident in your day to day responsibilities. You’ll also take part in a structured team induction, where you’ll meet colleagues, learn about current research programmes and understand how behavioural science supports the wider protective security mission. Your development will involve a mix of hands‑on research experience, continuous learning and opportunities to deepen your expertise in behavioural science. You will have access to continual professional development days designed to help you build capability, strengthen your analytical and research skills, and stay up to date with emerging behavioural science approaches. There may also be opportunities for further study, depending on business need. Throughout your time in the role, you will benefit from peer support and ongoing guidance from your line manager, ensuring you always have the support you need to grow, develop and contribute confidently to the team’s research priorities.
Rewards and benefits: You’ll receive a starting salary of £64,302 plus other benefits including: 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays, Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme, Dedicated development budget, Interest‑free season ticket loan, Cycle to work scheme, Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on‑site coffee bars (at some locations), Paid parental and adoption leave.
Equal opportunities: At MI5, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under‑represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio‑economic backgrounds.
We’re Disability Confident: MI5 is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and Pensions Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a fair and proportionate number of person‑to‑person interviews to any candidate who self‑identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role.
To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
- Demonstrate a developed knowledge of quantitative or qualitative behavioural science research to be assessed at application form sift
- Demonstrable research leadership skills to be assessed at application form sift
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate specialist concepts to a range of stakeholders and audiences to be assessed at application form sift
- You will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the motivational fit questions on the application form
- You will need to meet the minimum pass mark in the Organisation Situational Judgement Test.
Senior Behavioural Science Research Officer employer: Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
Contact Detail:
Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Behavioural Science Research Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former MI5 employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role in the Behavioural Science team. Personal connections can give you insights that you won’t find anywhere else.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your behavioural science knowledge. Be ready to discuss how your research experience aligns with MI5's mission. Think of real-world examples where your insights made a difference, and practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for applied behavioural science! During interviews, share your curiosity about insider risk and security culture. Let them know how you stay updated on emerging trends and how you can contribute to their mission of keeping the UK safe.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining MI5 and contributing to national security. Make sure to highlight your unique skills and experiences that fit the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Behavioural Science Research Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Research Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in designing and delivering both quantitative and qualitative research. We want to see how you've applied behavioural science in real-world settings, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Keep It Clear and Concise: When you're translating complex research into accessible advice, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. Remember, we need to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your application to the role. Reflect on how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for, especially in areas like insider risk and security culture. This shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our mission and values while you’re at it.
How to prepare for a job interview at Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
✨Know Your Behavioural Science Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid grasp of behavioural science principles, especially those relevant to security and risk. Brush up on your quantitative and qualitative research methods, as you'll likely be asked to discuss your experience in these areas during the interview.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since translating complex research into accessible advice is key, practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. Use examples that showcase your ability to adapt your communication style for different audiences, as this will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
Highlight your experience working collaboratively across disciplines. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've built relationships with colleagues from various backgrounds, as teamwork is essential in this role.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
Think about how behavioural science can be applied to current security challenges. Prepare to discuss potential case studies or scenarios where your insights could make a difference, showing your curiosity and commitment to the field.