Senior Research Officer

Do you want to produce statistics to improve society? The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides reliable data and supports policy with insights into areas such as health, well-being, work, household finances, local economies, high streets and more. Census 2031 is our most ambitious data collection project yet, capturing a complete picture of everyone living in England and Wales.

Responsibilities

• Produce and publish high-quality regular statistical outputs, including National Statistics.
• Deliver discrete analyses to provide context on analytical priorities and significant public interest issues.
• Develop new methods, production systems and dissemination tools to meet changing data user needs.
• Lead design, development and management of questionnaires for social and economic surveys (paper, telephone, face-to-face, online).
• Manage researchers and build their capability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across ONS and other government departments.
• Assist research into administrative datasets and their use in official statistics.
• Contribute to quality assurance and production of statistical publications and research reports.
• Lead and conduct qualitative research (focus groups, cognitive interviewing, pop-up research, usability testing, etc.) and analyse findings.
• Report findings through presentations, ‘show and tell’ meetings, and papers to national and international audiences.
• Share knowledge and develop expertise across ONS.
• Use specialist statistical software such as R, Python or equivalent.

Qualifications and Eligibility

• Eligible candidates must have already completed a degree and accumulated the appropriate experience in applied social research.
• Ideal candidates will be available to start from April 2026.
• Three entry routes are available:

• Badged route – already a member of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession and at least two years of successful experience in applied social research.
• Professional Experience route – undergraduate degree at least 2:2 (or postgraduate) and at least four years of successful experience in applied social research.

• Undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2) or postgraduate degree in a relevant subject.
• At least two years of successful applied social research experience for Badged route; at least four years for Professional Experience route.
• Strong analytical skills demonstrated.

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Delivering at pace
• Communicating and influencing

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of research methods, techniques and application in complex projects.
• Designing, specifying, analysing and interpreting research.
• Promoting social research – leading, communicating and championing it.

Application Process

• Assessment involves a short presentation and interview, using MS Teams.
• Assessment dates: GSR Knowledge Test (Friday 16-23 January); Application Sift (27 January); Sift results (by 11 February); Interviews (23 February).
• Successful candidates must carry out all duties from a UK location; remote/office options available as per hybrid policy.

Benefits and Salary

• Salary: £43,644 per annum.
• ONS contributes £12,643 towards membership in the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
• Other benefits include a flexible hybrid working model, inclusive culture, training and development opportunities.

Security, Nationality and Location

• SC level security clearance required – must have lived in the UK continuously for 3 consecutive years prior to application.
• Locations: Titchfield (Fareham) only for Census; other positions at Newport or Titchfield.
• Nationality requirements: UK nationals, Republic of Ireland, Commonwealth countries with right to work, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and certain family members, among others.

Important Dates and Contact

• Due to high volume, final offers likely start April 2026.
• A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months if more candidates than positions.
• Contact Recruitment at Social.Research.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk for clarity.