Government Social Research careers

Supporting decision making through evidence and advice

Government Social Research (GSR) is the social research profession for the Civil Service. Its role is to help the Welsh Government understand issues relating to society, groups and individuals. It supports policy debate and decision-making through a variety of approaches, advice and evidence.

The work of a social researcher may include:

  • evaluating policies implemented by the Welsh Government
  • analysing the feasibility or impact of a policy which may be implemented in future
  • providing evidence to support the needs of a policy team
  • research to scope public attitudes towards key issues
  • disseminating research findings from government reports
  • working with stakeholders to create new monitoring and evaluation systems 

Examples of the work published by GSR are available on the Statistics and Research page.

Roles in social research

The social research profession recruits into a number of roles from Research Officer (HEO) to Chief Social Research Officer. While day to day responsibilities can vary between team and project our case studies give an idea of what to expect at each grade.

Anna Allen Jones
Research Officers
Learn more about being a Social Researcher in Welsh Government
Rhys Fletcher
Senior Research Officers
Find out about the role of Senior Social Researcher
Rhian Davies
Principal Research Officer
Find out about the Principal Research Officer role
Ian Jones
Senior Principal Research Officer
Learn about the Senior Principal Research Officer role

Routes into social research

There are a number of ways to join the social research profession. 

Annual recruitment campaigns

External vacancies in the social research profession are advertised on Welsh Government jobs. 

These vacancies are open to all external applicants that hold a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree or any postgraduate degree with either:

  • sufficient taught elements in social research, or
  • 4 years equivalent experience in the field of social research

Loans and secondments

Current members of GSR and other Civil Service departments can apply to join Welsh Government GSR on a fixed-term basis via open loan opportunities. 

To apply you must either:

  • be able to evidence current GSR membership 
  • demonstrate a sufficient understanding of social research (application and online knowledge test)

If you are not currently employed by the Civil Service you can apply to join Welsh Government GSR on a fixed-term basis via open secondment opportunities. 

Applicants must either: 

  • meet the criteria outlined for the annual recruitment campaign 
  • evidence current GSR membership

Undergraduate student placements and PhD internships

Undergraduate students can apply to join Welsh Government GSR on a 12-month sandwich year placement between their second and third years of study. 

Applicants must: 

  • be enrolled on a degree with a substantial social research element 
  • provide confirmation they have passed the second year before the placement starts

PhD students can also apply to one of our internship opportunities, which will be advertised periodically through the Welsh Graduate School of Social Sciences.

Social Research Fast Stream

The Welsh Government is a participating member of the Civil Service Fast Stream and has previously offered placements through the Social Research scheme. 

Graduates and those with equivalent experience can apply to join GSR through the Social Research Fast Stream programme. If successful you will join an accelerated development programme. This aims to prepare you for future leadership positions within the profession.

Social research vacancies

Visit Welsh Government jobs to search Government Social Research vacancies.