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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research projects to shape the future of water regulation.
- Company: Join Ofwat, a key player in the water sector's transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and excellent pension contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in customer policy and environmental outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in social research and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 40024 - 52500 £ per year.
Join Ofwat's Customer Policy & Insights Team as a Senior Researcher.
About Us
We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. Following the Independent Water Commission's final report, the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.
The Role
The Senior Researcher role has an important and valuable contribution to enable us to deliver on our goals and regulatory commitments in this period of change and transition. The role sits within the Customer Policy & Insights team, which is part of the Casework, Enforcement and Customer Directorate. The team brings together customer research and policy. Colleagues work together to understand the views and experiences of household customers to inform customer policy and how customer needs are considered in the setting of price controls.
You will report directly to Ofwat's Principal, Customer Insights, while working closely with colleagues across the customer policy team and price review Directorate. This role will work on projects and issues across the customer team and price review directorate. It is a great opportunity to use and develop a range of different skills and knowledge including qualitative and quantitative research methods, report writing, policy consultations, licence condition reviews and reviewing and advising on company research used to inform business planning. The issues we work on include affordability, vulnerability, customer experience, and customer views and preferences.
About You
- Lead Criterion: Proven experience in developing and delivering social research projects from start to finish, using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Strong understanding of research methodologies and their application.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to draw out key insights from research findings and make them relevant to and engaging for others.
- Understanding of policy development and interest in economic regulation.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to confidently explain findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience of working with a range of stakeholders and contractors and the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively.
- Excellent planning, time management and project management skills.
Why You Should Join Us
- People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
- Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture built on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
- Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in-person collaboration in our Birmingham and London offices.
- Excellent employer pension contributions of nearly 29%.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
- Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
- Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
- Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
- Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
Follow the link to apply for full details about the role. Please ensure you have submitted your application in full before the below deadline.
Closing date: 23.55 on 22 March 2026.
Senior Researcher - Projects in Birmingham employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Researcher - Projects in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their mission. Remember, it’s not just about what you can do, but how you fit into their culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are speaking about your experience and skills, the more confident you'll be when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Researcher - Projects in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your passion for water regulation and customer insights aligns with our mission at Ofwat.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in social research projects. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've used qualitative and quantitative methods to deliver results, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Use straightforward language and structure your application well. This will help us easily understand your skills and how they fit with the Senior Researcher role.
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, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this role requires a strong understanding of various methodologies.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to draw insights from research findings. Think about how you can explain these insights in a way that's engaging for both technical and non-technical audiences.
✨Build Relationships
Since the role involves working with various stakeholders, be prepared to talk about your experience in building relationships and collaborating effectively. Share specific instances where your teamwork made a difference.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Whether it's discussing your previous work or explaining complex concepts, strong communication skills are key to making a good impression.