Senior Researcher - (Policy) - (12 Month Fixed Term Contract)

This role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, 28 days' holiday (plus Bank Holidays), and an 11% employer pension contribution after one year. We also support a great work-life balance, with flexible working options alongside a full-time 35-hour week.

Location: London/Hybrid: - at least 2 days in the office per week, including every Monday in the office for Advocacy team day

Salary £34,500 - £38,000 per annum

**Role is being offered on a 12 month Fixed Term contract (Maternity cover)**

*You will need to submit a cover letter for your application to be considered.*

Be a part of something meaningful

We're looking for a driven and passionate researcher to join the Strategic Insight team at Which? as a Senior Researcher in Policy.

Which? is the UK's consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We're the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we're not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful.

Advocacy is the core of Which? driving forward our key impact areas (Digital Life, Consumer Rights and Protections, Scams and Money) making life better for consumers now and for the future.

What you'll be doing

We're looking for a Senior Researcher to join us on a year's maternity cover contract. Reporting to the Policy Research Manager, you will lead end-to-end quantitative and qualitative research projects that help us tackle consumer harm and drive change.

This is a varied role, and what you work on will depend on the projects you join - whether from the start or partway through. From day one, you'll be involved in scoping projects with teams across Which? - including Policy and Campaigns. You'll design questionnaires and topic guides, carry out thematic or statistical analysis, and most importantly, pull out the insights - the part where data really comes to life. Working closely with colleagues, you'll bring it all together into a high-quality policy research report.

You'll also support the practical side of running projects, such as collecting quotes and managing contracts and project timelines. The evidence you generate will directly feed into our policy work, giving it the solid grounding it needs to stand up to scrutiny and make impact.

A quick note: This is a research-focused role. While you'll work in the context of policy and your findings will influence it, you're not expected to be a policy expert. We have a dedicated team of policy advisors who lead on that part of the process.

You will also:

• Communicate research findings clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across Which? and with external partners
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture and help improve how we work
• Show initiative and flexibility, adapting to changing priorities and deadlines
• Bring curiosity and critical thinking to everything you do, always asking what the evidence is really telling us

We're looking for someone who can bring:

• Experience designing and delivering quantitative and/or qualitative research projects with a high level of technical proficiency (both methods would be desirable) - ideally in a policy, social or consumer context
• Confidence in developing questionnaires and/or topic guides, and in analysing findings through methods such as statistical technique or thematic analysis
• A knack for drawing out clear, compelling insights from data - bringing these to life through storytelling and narrative and communicating them effectively to a range of audience
• Strong writing skills, particularly in producing high-quality research articles and report for technical and non-technical readers
• Knowledge of research best practice, industry standards, data handling and compliance
• Experience of managing multiple research products concurrently to sometimes tight deadlines
• Great organisational skills, including managing competing priorities and keeping projects running smoothly
• A collaborative approach - able to work closely with colleagues from across research, economists, policy and campaigns, as well as external agencies
• A supportive team spirit - someone who contributes positively to team culture and is happy to help improve the way we work

Benefits

We also have these benefits for you to consider:

• 35 hour working week
• Generous 28 days holiday a year plus Bank Holidays & Option to buy additional days
• Excellent pension scheme – when you pay in 3%, Which? pays in 6% (rising to 11% after one year of service.)
• Discount site Pluxee which offers large %% off every day shopping and holidays
• Annual Award (depending on employee and company performance)
• Healthcare insurance & Private medical insurance and opportunity to participate in Vitality rewards programme (at 6 months)
• A discretionary death in service benefit provision equivalent to six times your annual salary
• Free access to Which? member content and free access to Which? money & legal helplines
• Free wills for all Which? employees, plus, partners of employees can make their will at cost price.

The interview process

We usually have a two-stage interview process:

• A short phone conversation with a manager (around 30 minutes)
• A longer online interview (via video, 45-90 minutes) including experienced based questions and a role-related task

About us

Which? is the UK's consumer champion. We're not for profile - all our work is about making life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Read all about us on our website. We investigate issues that matter to consumers, from scams and data protection to unfair pricing and consumer rights. Our rigorous product tests and impartial advice help millions of people make informed choices.

We're a collaborative, values-driven organisation - brave, caring, rigorous and insightful in how we work together to create positive change.

Inclusion and accessibility

At Which? we value diversity and we're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and to reach their full potential. We are proud that we are in the ‘Top 25 Inclusive Employers' List and currently ranking 3rd.

We want to receive applications from everyone. We believe that a diverse workforce helps us to understand and create a positive impact for consumers.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them. For this or any other assistance you need with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post), email [email protected]. Find out more about the Disability Confident Interview Scheme here.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed and we reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.

We also reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.