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Government social research officer : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
  3. Entry requirements
  4. Training
  5. Career development
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Case studies

  • Starting salaries for graduates (entry-level research officers) range from £23,500 to £33,500, depending on location. Those entering with a postgraduate qualification may begin on a higher starting salary.
  • Starting salaries for graduates on the fast stream entering as high-level research officers are around £35,000.
  • With three to five years' experience, it is possible to earn £26,500 - £47,500.
  • At senior level (principal research officer) salaries range from £33,000 - £68,500. (All salary data from the Government Social Research (GSR) Unit .)
  • Salary scales vary across departments, but most provide additional benefits such as flexible working hours and a pension scheme.
  • Whilst working hours may be nine to five, flexibility is required to accommodate busy workloads and project timetables.
  • The work is largely office-based with attendance at meetings, events and conferences usually a feature of the work.
  • There are opportunities for working part time as well as job sharing, but not for self-employment.
  • In terms of geographic availability, locations include London, Sheffield, Leeds, Southampton, Edinburgh, East Kilbride, Cardiff, Newport, Cambridge and Belfast.
  • The role may be stressful owing to the need to deliver a high standard of work to deadlines in response to shifting priorities. However, it also offers the satisfaction of shaping the work of government in a wide range of areas. Some social research officer roles involve contact with high-profile members of the government.
  • The job is likely to involve travel within the UK if, for example, you are working on a project with other government departments in another city. You may also need to travel for research purposes - to conduct interviews or hold meetings with external research contractors.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
October 2010
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