Junior Researcher, Springwatch, BBC Studios NHU

Job Introduction

BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit (NHU) is the leading producer of wildlife programming, creating award-winning content with a world class reputation. Our output ranges from ambitious landmarks for BBC One and iPlayer (Green Planet, Dynasties, and Planet Earth III) to children’s programming (Deadly Dinosaurs and Andy’s Adventures), as well as ground-breaking adventure, formatted, presenter led, feature docs and event programming such as Endangered for Discovery Channel, Prehistoric Planet for Apple TV+ and live programming such as the BAFTA winning Springwatch for the BBC.

As part of the Watches brand, Springwatch has come to represent the home of UK wildlife output on BBC 2, with a reputation for topicality, storytelling and rigorous scientific reporting. We are looking for two creative, passionate and highly motivated Junior Researchers to join the Springwatch team.

This is a chance to help shape the wildlife editorial on this highly successful, Bafta award winning, live natural history series.

The successful applicants will need to demonstrate strong editorial skills; coming up with and developing new creative ideas for the live shows, working closely with talent and contributors to discover new scientific research and rigorously fact-checking every element of the show before it goes live.

Knowledge of UK wildlife is essential, but more importantly we are looking for candidates who want to share that passion; who want to engage our existing audience in new and challenging ways, while also reaching out and bringing new audiences to the ‘Watches’ brand and a love of British wildlife.

Main Responsibilities

• Suggest, develop, interrogate and research appropriate ideas for any remaining VTs and live presenter items and present these to the producer/series producer for feedback and review. These can be pure natural history films, science based live items and passionate person films.

• To research accurately when producing original content in keeping with editorial brief, using a wide range of sources and reference material in-keeping with audience needs and expectations & adhering to known BBC policies & guidelines.

• To come up with creative ways of delivering science and wildlife behaviour in a Watches style.

• To help set up any remaining VT shoots all over the UK in collaboration with the PM Team.

• Sourcing and clearing material for broadcasting.

• Take responsibility for delivering to the tight deadlines dictated by a live series while maintaining the highest journalistic standards.

• To liaise with contributors, experts and talent, where required.

• To carry out rigorous fact checks on VT and Live content ahead of TX.
  

Are You the Right Candidate?

• Knowledge of UK wildlife is essential

• Experience of researching and fact-checking science and wildlife behaviour

• You must have excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.

• Good understanding of television production techniques and procedures.

• Experience of working on location would be an advantage but not essential.
  

Job Package

Job Reference: 14011

Band: B

Location: Bristol

Salary: £24,500 - £27,500 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience

Start date: 22nd April - 14th June 2024 (You must be available for the total period to apply)

Interviews will be held in person – wb 8th April 2024

We are really proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and so if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please do contact reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk with the job reference in the subject.

We offer flexibility, competitive benefits and the opportunity to be part of the BBC's exciting mission. Some of the key benefits you’ll get from working in this role are:

Flexible/Agile working - opportunities across the business. We believe in empowering you to do your best work, so we offer support and flexibility to balance work and home. We’re happy to discuss a formal flexible working pattern. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at the offer stage.

Unrivalled training and development opportunities - we operate a people-first culture and pride ourselves on your development. Our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certifications.

Excellent career progression - BBC Studios offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation. Leaders at the BBC are passionate about helping our people grow in the organisation and you will have regular sessions with your line manager to support you with your career ambitions.

Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (plus an additional day which is a Corporation Day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.

BBC Studios puts sustainability at the heart of everything we do both onscreen and offscreen, including delivering against the BBC Group’s science-based Net Zero targets.