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- Tasks: Conduct impactful research and shape policies for the water sector.
- Company: Join Ofwat, a leading regulator in the water industry.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in customer experiences and environmental outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in social research and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and respect.
Join Ofwat’s Casework Enforcement and Customers Directorate as a Senior Researcher.
Office Location: London (E14 4HD) or Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working.
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. Our mission is to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment.
The Role: This job will sit in the Customer Policy & Insights team, which is part of the Casework, Enforcement and Customer Directorate. The team brings together customer research and policy. In this role, your time will be split around 50:50 between research and policy. You will report directly to Ofwat’s Head of Customer Insight, while working closely with an equivalent policy Principal. This role will work on projects and issues across the customer team, including affordability, vulnerability, customer experience, and customer views and preferences.
About You:
- Proven experience in developing and delivering social research projects from start to finish, using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Understanding of policy issues in relation to customers, including issues such as customer support, vulnerability, affordability.
- Strong understanding of research methodologies and their application.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to draw out key insights from research findings or policy consultations.
- 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.
- Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working.
- 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.
- Good employer pension contributions.
- 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.
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
- Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
- 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 14 December 2025.
Senior Researcher employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Researcher
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Ofwat on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Ofwat's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but also passionate about the mission of improving water services for customers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples from your past research projects that highlight your analytical skills and how you’ve tackled challenges. We love hearing about real experiences!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Researcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Researcher role. Highlight your experience in social research projects and how it aligns with Ofwat's mission. We want to see how you can make a difference!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your analytical skills and understanding of policy issues. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate your ability to draw insights and communicate them effectively. We love a good story!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like customer experience.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
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 heavily relies on your ability to develop and deliver social research from start to finish.
✨Understand the Policy Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current policy issues related to customers, such as affordability and vulnerability. Being able to articulate your understanding of these topics will show that you're not just a researcher but also someone who can connect insights to real-world implications.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex findings in simple terms. You’ll need to convey insights to both technical and non-technical audiences, so think about how you can make your points engaging and relatable.
✨Build Relationships
Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in the past. This role involves working closely with various teams, so demonstrating your ability to build relationships will be key to your success.