The Government Social Research (GSR) Sandwich Student Placement 2023-24opens schemeon is3 nowOctober closed2023 at 12pm (noon) and closes on 19 October at 23.55.
We will be holding an online Q&A session for applications.applicants at midday on Tuesday 10 October 2023, 1-1.45pm Join live event
TheAre nextyou schemea willsocial bescience advertisedundergraduate in Autumnyour 2023.penultimate year? Do you want to gain practical experience and use your research skills to make a difference? Join the UK Government for a paid student placement.
You would spend a year working alongside social researchers and policy officials before returning to your studies. The Governmentjob Economiccould involve analysing research data to help government decision making, evaluating the impact of policies, and Socialproviding Researchsocial (GESR)research Teamadvice runto help shape government strategy.
Placement students also get a 12-monthpriority sandwichinterview studentfor placementa schemegovernment aimedrole atupon studentsgraduation whoand many return to work for us.
Salary
London: £25,000 minimum (salaries vary according to department and location)
Nationwide: £20,000 minimum (salaries vary according to department and location)
Locations
Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington Edinburgh, Glasgow, Harrogate, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Salford, Sheffield, Treforest, Wolverhampton (locations vary according to department)
About Government Social Research
We are seriouslythe consideringprofessional abody careerfor social researchers in the GovernmentCivil Service. Our Social ResearchResearchers (GSR)study professionand afteranalyse graduation.various aspects of society, like people’s behaviour, opinions, and needs. This then helps the government make informed decisions. We recruit students, graduates, and apprentices to work in over 30 departments across the UK.
Eligibility Requirements
This scheme is only open to students in their penultimate year of undergraduate study (i.e. year before the final year of study) and who are on track for a 2:1 or 1st class degree, as indicated by exam results of your first year.
To be eligible applicants must be studying for a degree which contains a minimum of 30% in social research methods in your overall degree content, your degree must include quantitative research methods (i.e. research design, data collection (i.e. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting), and data analysis (e.g. statistical analysis, interpretation)) as well as three out of the following five areas:
- qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. interviewing, focus groups, ethnographic), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis)
- study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation
- systematic/literature review
- interpretation of data (qualitative & quantitative), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/ conclusions
- application of ethics to research
Individuals will also need to demonstrate that they meet the relevant immigration requirements and their eligibility under the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs). Nationality requirements are explained in more detail on the Civil Service nationality rules webpage.
Guidance Notes, along with a 2023-24 Job Descriptions pack from individual government departments.
More information on the eligibility criteria, can be found at the top of this page in the attached Application
Guidance Notes, along with a 2023-24 Job Descriptions pack from individual government departments.
How to Apply
The The GSR 2024-25 2023-24 Sandwich Student Placement scheme closedopens for applications on Monday3rd 24 October 2022and atcloses 11.55am.on The19th nextOctober scheme will be advertised in Autumn 2023, for placements starting in September 2024.2023.
2023-242024-25 Candidates who are successful at the sift stage will be randomly allocated to any of the participating departments.
Candidates who are unsuccessful at the sift stage will not be given any feedback or comments. If you do not hear from us within 2 months of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Please note that some departments require candidates to have a UK footprint for 3 years in order to get security clearance.
Interviews
Candidates who are successful at the sift stage will be invited for interview at one of the participating Departments. Interviews will take place in November and December 20222023 and will be conducted virtually.
Re-join GSR after your placement
As part of the scheme, we have included an enhancement to the already successful sandwich placement scheme by making an offer of a permanent contract (subject security clearance) to those students to take up upon graduation (in their placement department where possible or another government department) and who:
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are on track for a minimum 2:1 degree containing at least 30% in social research methods
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are assessed to have successfully completed their placement by their line managers
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have passed a Civil Service Social Research Assessment Centre (SRAC) towards the end of their placement
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have the right to work in the UK
This means that the placement scheme is now a gateway to a career as a government social researcher.
Please note: Some departments may not be able to offer a permanent contract if successful at SRAC and you will be informed of this, should this be the case.
Equal Opportunities
The Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities employer. Candidates with disabilities (as defined in the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act) can choose to declare on their application form that they require adjustments at interview, for which we can make a range of provisions. Please contact us should you have any questions regarding this – we would be happy to help.
We are interested in your skills and aptitudes. We have no preferences for particular backgrounds or universities. We want to reflect the diversity of the country we serve.
Social media
Please follow our social media accounts to keep up to date with relevant information.
Twitter
Complaints procedure
Complaints must be submitted in writing or email and addressed to:
Head of GESR Recruitment,
GESR Team, 1 Blue,
HM Treasury,
1 Horse Guards Road
London SW1A 2HQ
gesrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Please provide the fullest account possible of the circumstances surrounding your complaint.
If you do not submit your complaint within a year after the campaign took place, we will not be obliged to consider it.
Our commitment to you
- we will aim to acknowledge your complaint within three working days of its receipt
- we will take your complaint seriously, give it high priority and investigate it fully and impartially
- we will aim to send you a full written response to your complaint within 20 working days of its receipt. If this is not possible, we will let you know, and explain why
- if your complaint is upheld, we shall take action to ensure that the event complained does not recur
- if your complaint is not upheld, we will advise you of options for pursuing it further, should you wish to do so
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil service code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.