Contract type: 2 x 6 Month Fixed Term Contract / Attachment

Department: EastEnders

Location: Elstree

Proposed salary range: £24,479 (plus London Weighting), depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

BBC Extend

This role is advertised as part of our BBC Extend programme for disabled people.

To apply for this role you should identify as deaf, disabled or neurodivergent and must meet either the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010), or the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) if applying in Northern Ireland. You’re broadly defined as disabled under both acts if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative or adverse effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. This definition includes both apparent and non-apparent conditions and impairments, and medical conditions such as Cancer, HIV or Multiple Sclerosis.

We are committed to making the process of applying for this role as accessible as possible. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the application process, or have any questions about our Extend programme, please contact [email protected].

The BBC are fully committed to providing workplace adjustments to help eliminate barriers in the workplace that disabled people face. To do this, we have our own dedicated BBC Access and Disability Service that provides assessments and support throughout employment with us. If you are successful in applying for this role and require workplace adjustments, we will work with you to get your adjustments in place.

If you’d like more information on BBC Extend, please visit the BBC Extend webpage.

We are BBC Studios

BBC Studios is a globally renowned commercial media company fully owned by the BBC. We make and distribute some of the world’s most sought-after TV, audio and digital content.

Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining, interesting and inspiring shows for people all around the world.

Details and purpose of the role

Do you love investigating topics and digging into detail? Are you a fan of EastEnders and are keen to learn how the show commits to its accurate and authentic representation of the varied issues it tackles? 

The Trainee Researcher will be given the exciting opportunity to work alongside the Script and Story Researchers who provide support to the editorial and writing team, to identify and carry out research activities on any subject matter through the story and script process.  As someone who watches EastEnders, you’ll know our storylines can be dramatic and hard-hitting. This means exploring a broad range of social issues including police procedures, medical processes, relationship breakdowns, and various other complex, often sensitive and potentially traumatic storylines, which may be impacting the characters of Albert Square.

Why join the team

Join one of the UK’s most iconic and influential dramas and play a part in bringing powerful, authentic stories to life. Working alongside the research team, you’ll gain hands-on experience in scripted television, develop valuable research and editorial skills, and contribute to storylines of Albert Square that reflect real social issues while engaging millions of viewers across the country. 

Your key responsibilities and impact

The role of the Trainee Researcher reports to the Research Script and Story Teams and will be guided by the Senior Researcher before actioning decisions. 

• Support the Story, Script and Research teams by reviewing storylines and character developments for authenticity, consistency and credibility.
• Conduct detailed research, identify potential issues, and provide balanced findings and practical recommendations to writers and editors.
• Ensure factual accuracy and continuity across scripts, highlighting inconsistencies and helping to resolve research-related queries.
• Build relationships with subject matter experts, organise research meetings, and produce clear reports and story documentation.
• Collaborate across production teams, contribute research insights in meetings, stay informed on current social issues, and provide administrative support as required.
  
  

Your skills and experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable ability of handling research materials, whether than be in a TV, journalistic or academic environment, etc.
• Demonstrable passion for TV drama - especially EastEnders!
• Experience of strong written communication skills, creativity, and the ability to work effectively under pressure and as part of a team.
• Professional and organised approach, including handling sensitive information, maintaining administrative systems, and using Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrable experience of prioritisation, problem-solving and forward-planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and identify potential issues proactively.

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply. 

This is your BBC

At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world’s best loved content, and the BBC’s mission to inform, educate and entertain.

Find out more about the BBC.

Life at the BBC

Here you will benefit from:

• A flexible 35-hour working week with 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to buy an extra five days.
• Defined pension (up to 10% employer contributions).
• Caring and parenting support, 24/7 remote GP access, life assurance and accident benefit.
• BBC Studios is a world leader in operating sustainably both on and off screen. Find out more about BBC Group’s science-based Net Zero targets here.
• Career development in a values-led purpose-driven culture.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on a fixed term or orchestra contract.

Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.

You belong

We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging at the BBC.

Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. 

If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we’d be happy to discuss: [email protected].  

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory. 

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

For any general queries, please contact: [email protected]. 

We are unable to accept applications via CV and only applications made online will be considered. Please click on the APPLY NOW button to proceed with your application.

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants.

Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.