Principal Behavioural Scientist

Job summary

Can you apply behavioural science theory and evidence, and social research methods to influence transport policy, service delivery and public communications in a fast‑paced environment?

Would you like to work on complex, high‑priority policy areas—such as sustainability, accessibility, safety or public behaviour change collaborating with analysts policy colleagues and external research partners?

Would you enjoy working across behavioural science, social research and evaluation, and contributing to the development and management of research capability (for example by supporting external contracts with suppliers of expertise in Human Factors and Ergonomics)?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DFT.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to make an impact by using behavioural science theory, evidence and wider social research skills to shape transport policy, delivery and communications. As a Principal Behavioural Scientist in DfT’s Behavioural Science team, you will work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment on high‑priority issues including sustainability, accessibility, passenger experience and safety. You will also contribute to wider social research and evaluation projects and support the management of the department's Human Factors and Ergonomics research capability.Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Contributing to the Behavioural Science team’s work programme. Make a strong contribution as a senior member of the Behavioural Science team, delivering its work programme to ensure that the Department makes impactful use of behavioural science and HFE approaches to inform its activities for the benefit of the public. Help identify further opportunities for behavioural science and human factors to be used and manage behavioural science and human factors projects for policy customers.
• Applying technical behavioural science expertise. Provide authoritative technical advice to ensure policies, programmes, communications and responses to emergency situations are informed by people-centred behavioural insights. Work collaboratively with customers to develop workable behavioural science-based solutions that inform and influence policy, delivery and communications. Use behavioural science theories and frameworks to diagnose behavioural drivers and barriers and provide robust policy recommendations.
• Building the Department’s capability in behavioural science and HFE. Build the Department’s capability in behavioural science and HFE, including by building relationships with DfT policy teams, producing and disseminating information to raise awareness of behavioural science and HFE approaches and showing how policies can be developed in a people-centred way.
• Engaging with stakeholders Work with stakeholders across the Department and in its agencies and partner organisations to advocate and support the effective use of behavioural science and HFE to inform activities. Stay abreast of policy developments and direction to identify opportunities where behavioural science and HFE can provide greatest impact in guiding and improving policy interventions. There will also be opportunities to represent the Department with other government departments, cross-government social and behavioural science networks and the Government Social Research profession.
• In addition, you will scope, commission and quality assure the work of external contractors and oversee and direct the work of senior behavioural and social researchers

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Required experience:

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Experience of designing and managing analytical projects
• Experience of providing behavioural science advice and/or insights and using behavioural science tools (e.g., frameworks/models) to diagnose problems and design, trial and evaluate behavioural solutions
• Experience of using qualitative and quantitative social research methods
• Experience of engaging and influencing stakeholders and building effective relationships and networks

Additional Information

Eligibility

To be eligible for this role you will need to either:

Be a member of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession, or demonstrate how you meet the qualification requirements, as outlined in the Government Social Research Membership & Eligibility Guidance: Government Social Research Membership and Eligibility Guidance - GOV.UK

Qualification requirements are dependent on whether candidates are eligible for GSR professional membership under the qualification route or the experience route:

Qualification route:

• Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with an additional postgraduate degree.
• The degree must include a substantial research methods component, comprising around 30% of the modules taken on the course.

Experience route:

• Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with an additional postgraduate degree, in any subject; OR a degree equivalent such as the MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice.
• In addition to the above qualification, applicants must also have at least 4 years’ experience of social research practice, which may consist of working in a research agency, market research agency or a specialist research team.

In your application, please remember to include details on:

• Any social research modules taken as part of your undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
• Any relevant professional qualifications you hold, such as the MRS Advanced Certificate or equivalent.

You will be asked to provide proof of qualifications should you be successful at sift.

You will be required to undertake the Foundation e-learning module of the Contract Management Capability programme once in role, unless this accreditation is already held.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Qualifications

You must meet the criteria listed out under the Eligibility section, under Additional Information. This can be either holding the relevant qualifications or having the relevant experience that has been listed.

If you do not hold a Government Social Research membership/badge, please indicate which route (listed under Additional Information - Eligibility) applies to you, this could be either via the qualification route or the experience route.

Memberships

The post is open to both members and non-members of Government Social Research, but we need to know who is a member, as non-members will need to take the GSR Knowledge Test.

Please confirm whether you hold a Government Social Research membership/badge.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Knowledge of research methods, techniques, & application of these: Provides an overview of research methods for a wide portfolio of projects and provides a supervisory/ sounding board for team leaders where appropriate.
• Identifying research needs, designing & specifying research

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Department for Transport contributes £16,662 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:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

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, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

During the application process, you will be asked if you hold a Government Social Research membership/badge.

If you do not hold a Government Social Research membership/badge, you must indicate which route (listed under Additional Information - Eligibility) applies to you, this could be either via the qualification route or the experience route. If you can demonstrate eligibility, you will be emailed a link to complete a Knowledge Test and you will have 7 days in which to complete this test. If you pass the Knowledge Test, your application will then be considered during the sift. The Knowledge Test is used to test the Social Research Professional Competency and assesses the basic knowledge and application of statistical, analytical and research skills and techniques. An example knowledge test can be found here: Government Social Research Service.

You will not need to re-take the Knowledge Test if you have passed it in the last 12 months.

Stage 1: Sift

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

• Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on the following Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing
• Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
  1. Experience of designing and managing analytical projects
  2. Experience of providing behavioural science advice and/or insights and using behavioural science tools (e.g., frameworks/models) to diagnose problems and design, trial and evaluate behavioural solutions
  3. Experience of using qualitative and quantitative social research methods
  4. Experience of engaging and influencing stakeholders and building effective relationships and networks

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, Experience. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift will take place from 3rd June 2026.

Stage 2: Interview

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

Behaviours – Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service

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:

1. the ability to design, trial and evaluate behavioural solutions
2. knowledge of several behavioural science theories – and of how these can be used to improve policy, operational delivery or communications
3. the ability to use behavioural science theory, models and frameworks to diagnose problems

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

You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess the Technical Skills above. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place week commencing 22nd June 2026.

This interview will be conducted face to face at our London and Birmingham offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change

Questions in advance

If you are invited to interview, we will send you the Technical Presentation and Behaviour questions in advance.

We are sharing the Technical Presentation and Behaviour questions in advance to help you to prepare and showcase your best examples, making interviews fairer and more inclusive. We will also send you guidance to help you prepare and perform at your best on the day.

As part of the interview, you will also be asked questions assessing your Technical Skills. These are not shared in advance as we are looking for more natural, authentic responses.

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

During your application, you should indicate which location(s) you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which locations you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in or have expressed an interest in more than one location and accept an offer, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on. We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.

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.

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service within the last 12 months, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage.

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.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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
• 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 Here

Attachments

G7 Behavioural Scientists Role Profile Opens in new window (docx, 100kB)