Behavioural and Social Researcher

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who would like to make an impact by using behavioural science theories, evidence and research, as well as their broader social research skills, to influence policy, delivery and communications. This role provides breadth and variety in a fast-paced environment. You will work on high-priority transport matters such as reducing environmental impacts, improving women’s safety and facilitating multi-modal travel.

You will join DfT’s Behavioural Science team, a unit of 5 people comprising the Head of Behavioural Science, two Principal Behavioural Scientists and two Senior Behavioural Scientists. This post is one of the two Senior Behavioural and Social Researcher posts.

Behavioural science can make a difference to some of the biggest issues the country faces, including climate change, resilience and physical health & well-being. There are huge opportunities for its application in transport policy.

The Behavioural Science team is part of a division which also includes a Social Research team and an Evaluation team. The postholder will work on some wider social research or evaluation projects with members of these teams in addition to behavioural science projects, depending on the Department’s research priorities. They will also work with a range of policy officials and analysts who are embedded in policy teams.

DfT is fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible and hope to attract applications from under-represented groups.

Prior expertise in transport is not necessary.

Job description

Key responsibilities include:

Working at pace to apply behavioural science and social research to the Department’s policy priorities

Working closely with a Principal Behavioural Scientist, you will collaborate with social research, policy and communications leads to provide authoritative and impactful advice and generate workable behavioural science-based solutions that inform and influence . Activities will include:

• using behavioural science models and frameworks (EAST, COM-B, Theory of Planned Behaviour, Transtheoretical Model etc.) to scope behavioural challenges and design solutions, thereby contributing to the development of the team’s programme of activities
• reacting at pace to emerging policy challenges and fast turnaround requests for input/advice, robustly applying behavioural science tools and evidence.
• designing, commissioning, and managing quantitative and qualitative research projects, experiments, and trials of behavioural interventions – working closely with social researchers and the Department’s other analysts to do so.
• proactively keeping up to date with developments in behavioural science, sharing this learning with colleagues and applying it to behavioural science projects.

Promoting the use of high-quality behavioural science across the Department

You will work as part of the Behavioural Science Team to promote the use of, and build the Department’s capability in, behavioural science. Activities will include:

• contributing to updates to ministers and to other policy briefings that translate complex behavioural evidence into clear, actionable advice
• preparing high-impact, authoritative examples and case studies of the successful application of behavioural science in transport and disseminating these across the Department
• promoting best practice in behavioural science techniques, including by developing and delivering training and resources that build skills amongst specialist and non-specialist staff
• engaging with people outside the department (e.g. academics and members of the Cross-Government Behavioural Science Network) to achieve DfT objectives and bring new learning and insight into the Department.

Person specification

Behaviours

Communicating and influencing

• Ensure communication has a clear purpose and considers people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding.
• Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.
• Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact.

Working together

• Invest time to develop a common focus and positive team spirit, so that colleagues feel valued and respect one another.
• Actively seek and consider the input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Making effective decisions

• To support decisions, analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources.
• Invite challenge and, where appropriate, involve others in decision making.

Manage a quality service

• Successfully deliver high-quality outcomes that meet customers’ needs and give value for money.
• Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales, involving a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvements.
• Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently.

More information about Behaviours

Experience

Essential experience:

• Experience of using behavioural science tools (e.g. frameworks/models) to diagnose problems and design, trial and evaluate behavioural solutions
• Experience of delivering high-quality behavioural science advice and/or insights to academics, practitioners, policy makers, service managers or communications professionals
• Experience of conducting literature reviews and designing and managing robust primary research and analysis using a range qualitative and quantitative social research methods.

Since our work is cross-cutting, a personal interest in mobility and a passion for improving transport would be beneficial. However professional experience working with transport organisations and specific knowledge of modes of transport is NOT required and will not be assessed on this application.

More information about Experience

Technical

To qualify for this role, you are required to be able to demonstrate the following criteria that are embedded within the Government Social Research Competency Framework (GSR) at Senior Research Officer level:

Requirement a. relates to the following skill in the GSR framework:

Knowledge of research methods, techniques & application of these in more complex projects

• Good knowledge & application of analytical techniques to address key questions
• Generates imaginative and useful hypotheses which can be tested
• Understands the pros and cons of different research methods so can advise, critique and make independent direct use of same

Requirements b. and c. relate to the following skill in the GSR framework:

Identifying research needs, designing & specifying research

• Accurately identifies where there are gaps in the evidence base and makes sound recommendations for how this can be managed

More information about Technical

Qualifications

To be eligible for GSR, you must hold an undergraduate degree, at a minimum of 2.2 in a social science subject, around a third of which comprised modules on social science methods; or

alternatively, you may hold a 2.2 in any subject and have at least 4 years' relevant experience as a practising social researcher.

With these qualifications there are two possible routes through for which you will be eligible – Route 1 or Route 2. Please read the detailed information in the Route 1 or Route 2 form and complete the relevant form.

Memberships

Are you a badged member of GSR? Please note that this will be verified by the Department.
Membership is not mandatory for applicants, however you must meet the requirements for GSR membership during the application process.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,241, Department for Transport contributes £12,816 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits.

This includes:

• a generous annual leave entitlement
• attractive pension options with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• flexible working
• good career development opportunities
• a variety of career paths
• inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Please note:

For applicants who don’t hold GSR badging, you will be able to become GSR badged through successful completion of the GSR Knowledge Test, prior to successfully completing the other stages of recruitment. A link to the test will be provided to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.

Familiarisation material is available at GSR_Example_Knowledge_Test_Jan_2024.pdf and you are encouraged to review this material before undertaking the test.

Existing GSR badged applicants should email bev.bishop@dft.gov.uk via your work email address on applying for the role quoting campaign reference 452339, your name,noting that you are applying for the role of Senior Research Officer, and your current government department where you have worked as a Government Social Researcher.

Additionally, if you have previously passed the Knowledge Test within the last 12 months prior to the closing date you may choose not to sit the test again. Please contact bev.bishop@dft.gov.uk. and provide evidence of your result prior to closing date. At this stage your application will still be anonymised and you should therefore provide your Candidate ID reference to remove you from the invitations to take the Knowledge Test.

All applicants will be assumed to be non-badged unless they have emailed the above email address with details of their existing GSR badging prior to the closing date.

The Route 1 / Route 2 Form attached to this advert. All applicants to download, complete and return the form to bev.bishop@dft.gov.uk Please DO NOT include your name on the form or in the title of document, and DO NOT list any educational institute. We cannot progress applications where this form is omitted.

Stage 1: Eligibility Review

Your Route 1 / Route 2 form will be assessed to ensure the educational / experience requirements to join the GSR profession are met or GSR membership is confirmed.

If, from the information provided on the Route 1 / Route 2 form, you do not meet the educational / experience requirements then your application will not proceed further.

If you meet the educational / experience requirements for this role or are an existing GSR member, you will progress to the next stage.

Stage 2: Knowledge Test

Candidates who are not existing members of GSR will be invited to take an online Knowledge Test. The Knowledge Test is used to test the Social Research Professional skill and assesses the basic knowledge and application of statistical, analytical and research skills and techniques.

You will be emailed a link to the Knowledge Test by a third party so will need to check emails (including junk emails).

This is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by the advised deadline if your application is to be considered for the next stage of the process.

Please ensure you inform us in your application's Reasonable Adjustments information section if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered.

Candidates who fail the Knowledge Test will not proceed further.

Candidates who pass the Knowledge Test or are existing GSR members will move onto the Sift stage.

Stage 3: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 1000-word statement on the behaviours listed in the person specification:
• Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) detailing your employment history and qualifications
• Technical - you will be asked a technical question to assess your technical capability in behavioural science.

Stage 4: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours – Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Making Effective Decisions.
• Technical – Behavioural Science, Social Research

You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation, and answer follow up questions, to assess your technical skills ands the behaviour Communicating and Influencing. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour

Threats or acts of violence

Illegal activity or substance misuse

Sexually explicit material

Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public.

Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle—it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture.

If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Bev Bishop. Head of Behavioural Science
• Email : bev.bishop@dft.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

Attachments

Role Profile - Senior Behavioural and Social Researcher Opens in new window (docx, 111kB)Route 1 and 2 form v1.0 _DfT Opens in new window (docx, 49kB)