Research Officer in Sheffield

Role: Research Officer (Operation Beaconport)

District/Department: Crimes Services

Location: Europa View, Sheffield

Salary: £28,914 - £31,749

Hours: 37

Contract Type: Temporary for 12 months

Role Purpose: Working as a Research Officer as part of the investigation team for Operation Beaconport, investigations selected nationally for further review into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse between 2010-2025. The post holder will support colleagues by conducting appropriate research tasks during the enquiry.

Key responsibilities:

• Utilise police systems to provide comprehensive reports for the investigation team.
• Liaise with external agencies and internal departments within SYP to support the research function.
• Process and risk assess information received from internal and external departments.
• Maintain liaison with key stakeholders both internal and external to the Force in terms of information.
• Support investigative functions by appropriate research and product dissemination.
• Conduct and complete appropriate Charter applications in line with IP act.
• Conduct Open and Closed Source Research in accordance with Force policy.
• Be proficient in developing and obtaining information and intelligence from a variety of online sources including open-source opportunities.
• Be proficient in identifying digital footprints on the internet and evidential capture of these where necessary and collect and process data using I.T. software.
• Create and maintain databases including record management systems and review data quality and identify duplicate records.
• Carry out any other duties commensurate with the purpose and grading of the post that may from time to time be determined.

Skills and experience:

• Experience of working with sensitive information and dealing with and maintaining confidentiality.
• Previous work experience in intelligence/information collection, analysis, research, and action.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and other packages which enable data manipulation, formulae, charts, and functions.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.

Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview.

Appearance & Standards: South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.

South Yorkshire Police’s overarching aim is to deliver an excellent police service to support safer communities. The public’s assessment of our excellence is influenced by the level of trust and confidence in us, as an organisation and as individuals. In comparison to the general public, police officers and police staff are held to a higher standards of behaviour and accountability. In applying to join the police, applicants are accepting of these higher standards and understand the implications on their right to privacy.

South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values: At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do: Fairness, Integrity & Trust.

Smarter ways of Working: South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables SYP to provide an outstanding service to the community. There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid. This role has been evaluated as a Fixed role.

Contact details: For further information about the role, please email DCI Tom Woodward at Thomas.Woodward@southyorkshire.police.uk

Closing Date: 24th August 2026. Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Recruitment Manager and the Line Manager for the role.

Candidate Information: Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.

Diversity & Inclusion: Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates. It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.

If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk. In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.

Internal Candidates: This vacancy is temporary therefore; you must have the support of your current Line Manager to apply. If you are a permanent member of staff, this would be classed as a secondment opportunity. If you are on a fixed term contract, you must contact the Recruitment Team before applying. Please ensure that you and your current line manager complete the attached consent form.

Documents to Review: For the Police Staff Recruitment Vetting Handbook - Please Click here. For Application Guidance and Tips - Please Click Here. For the FIT Values of South Yorkshire Police - Please Click Here. For Secondment Approval - Please Click Here.

View our recruitment video: https://youtu.be/2dGn5qti7_c