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Description
Vacancy title
Social Research Undergraduate Placement
Closing date
08/02/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis
Fixed Term, Placement
Actual starting salary
A non-negotiable starting salary of £27,302 will be offered to the successful candidate
Salary range or pay band
Team Support £27,302 to £29,291
Allowances
No
Work pattern
Full time (not suitable for candidates who wish to work on a part time or job share basis)
Duration
50 weeks
Group
Corporate Services and Inspectorates
Directorate
Digital, Data and Technology
Branch
1 x Housing Research 1 x Corporate Research 1 x Education and Skills Research
Location (s)
Pan Wales
Purpose of post
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. Analysts play a key role in providing high quality evidence to support policy making and the Welsh Government more broadly.
Three posts are currently available and a reserve list will also be created. The three posts will be based in the Social Research and Information Division, specifically within the Housing Research, Corporate Research and Education and Skills Research Teams.
The Social Research and Information Division is a core part of the Welsh Government’s analytical function. The division comprises around 80 social researchers who work closely with policy and other analysts (e.g. statisticians, econom
ists) to provide analytical advice and evidence to support key policy decisions in devolved areas such as education, health and the environment.
These posts are open to undergraduate students on a sandwich year placement between their second and third year of study. Welsh Government are looking for applications from diverse candidates who can demonstrate leadership qualities and bring fresh skills, lived experiences and perspectives to our work.
Welsh Government are committed to being an anti-racist organisation, and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are under-represented in the Civil Service in Wales. Welsh Government committed to supporting all staff to thrive in an inclusive working environment.
The successful candidates will work closely with social researchers to support the development and delivery of different types of research projects.
Post one: in the Housing Research Branch
This role will be based within the Housing Research Branch but will involve working closely with researchers on a wide range of topic areas across the climate change and rural affairs directorate policy areas. The role will involve assisting with the design, delivery, analysis and reporting of primary and secondary research.
Likely Tasks Include:
conducting evidence reviews;
developing and administering small-scale online surveys;
assisting with research development; and
providing administrative support for research evidence planning and supporting the Housing Research Branch
Post two: in the Corporate Research Branch
This role will involve research and analysis using a range of methods and sources of data to help inform improvements to the way the Welsh Government works.
This will involve
using both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods;
assisting with the designing, carrying out and reporting of primary research projects with Welsh Government staff and stakeholders;
conducting evidence reviews and developing social research best practice guides for the team; and
assisting with corporate responsibilities such as producing bulletins for the Social Research and Information Division.
Post three: in the Education, Skills and Welsh Language Research Branch
The branch covers education and skills research in both school and post 16 education. The role will involve working closely with researchers and policy officials across a range of topic areas. The placement’s objective is to provide research support to a number of Welsh Government research and evaluation projects.
This Will Involve:
contributing to the development and delivery of different types of research projects, such as literature reviews and evaluations;
assisting with the design, management and reporting of social research; and
assist with corporate responsibilities.
Post two: in the Corporate Research Branch
This role will involve research and analysis using a range of methods and sources of data to help inform improvements to the way the Welsh Government works.
This will involve
using both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods;
assisting with the designing, carrying out and reporting of primary research projects with Welsh Government staff and stakeholders;
conducting evidence reviews and developing social research best practice guides for the team; and
assisting with corporate responsibilities such as producing bulletins for the Social Research and Information Division.
Post three: in the Education, Skills and Welsh Language Research Branch
The branch covers education and skills research in both school and post 16 education. The role will involve working closely with researchers and policy officials across a range of topic areas. The placement’s objective is to provide research support to a number of Welsh Government research and evaluation projects.
This Will Involve:
contributing to the development and delivery of different types of research projects, such as literature reviews and evaluations;
assisting with the design, management and reporting of social research; and
assist with corporate responsibilities.
Key tasks
The Key Tasks Of The Successful Applicants Will Depend On Which Team They Are Placed With, But Will Include a Combination Of The Following:
Supporting with the management and quality assurance of research
Assisting with research projects which use qualitative (e.g. in-depth interviews, focus groups – in line with the social model of disability) and quantitative methods (e.g. survey work, statistical analysis, monitoring and reporting information)
Research design, analysis and synthesis
Undertaking literature searches and reviews
Liaising with analysts across the Welsh Government
Providing administrative support for data collection exercises
Preparing reports for publication on the Welsh Government’s social research webpages or for use internally
Project management
Administrative tasks, such as organising meetings, seminars and events, taking minutes and record keeping.
Work with the analysts in the team to uphold GSR and GSS standards (such as ethical compliance) alongside relevant legal requirements (such as UK GDPR compliance) across all projects
Coordinate stakeholder engagement meetings between senior members of the team and other relevant partners within Welsh Government
Meet with senior analysts in the team on a regular basis to update on progress with tasks responsible for.
Development opportunities
The Posts Offer Excellent Development Opportunities, Including:
Learning how social research is commissioned, delivered and used within government and funded bodies (e.g. Natural Resources Wales)
Developing an understanding of how evidence can help inform and improve policy making and organisational ways of working
Developing key skills (such as communications skills, critical thinking and working as part of a team, often to tight deadlines)
Opportunities to develop an understanding and practical experience of a range of research techniques (such as survey design, conducting interviews, analysis and presentation of findings, report writing and communicating research findings to a non-specialist audience)
Developing project management skills
Attending appropriate courses, conferences and seminars (including courses on quantitative and qualitative analysis)
Shadowing or working with social researchers, analysts and policy officials from other Welsh Government departments during the placement. There may also be an opportunity to work collaboratively with officials from government-funded bodies
Opportunities to develop an understanding and practical experience of a range of research techniques (such as survey design, conducting interviews, analysis and presentation of findings, report writing and communicating research findings to a non-specialist audience)
Developing project management skills
Attending appropriate courses, conferences and seminars (including courses on quantitative and qualitative analysis)
Shadowing or working with social researchers, analysts and policy officials from other Welsh Government departments during the placement. There may also be an opportunity to work collaboratively with officials from government-funded bodies
Other vacancy related information
Confirmation that the successful applicant has passed their second year of study will be required before the placement can start.
The placements will run from summer 2026 – summer 2027.
As Part Of The Application Process You Will Need To Provide a 250 Word Response Against Each Of The Required Behaviours And Technical Criteria Stated At In This Advert Against ‘Stage 1’:
Working Together (Assessed via application form and online interview)
Delivering at Pace (Assessed via application form and online interview)
Technical 1 - Broad awareness of how social research can be used to inform decisions in government, including what equality and diversity issues should be considered. (Assessed via a pre-prepared presentation at online interview)
Technical 2 – Experience of design and/or delivery of quantitative and qualitative research (e.g. interviewing, focus groups, surveys, quantitative data analysis). (Assessed via application form and online interview)
Technical 3 - Experience in the interpretation and / or communication of research (e.g. presentation of results, conclusions and/or recommendations). This could include presentation of research in written reports or essays and/or presentations. (Assessed via online interview)
As a minimum, students are required to have an understanding of the principles and skills needed to design and conduct social research. Students should be able to critically evaluate research methods, strategies and data used by social scientists and be able to (with support) undertake and present analysis. Although practical experience of undertaking research is desirable, experience of undertaking a complete independent research project as part of their degree course at the time of application is not required
As a guide, we recommend that you use the behaviours and technical criteria as headings and aim to write 250 words each. Using the “STA
R technique” may help you to structure your evidence – information is provided in the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates pack. Please include how you considered your own or others’ lived experiences where relevant within the evidence provided.
For more information on Civil Service Behaviours and what is required for each grade, please refer to Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours .
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Technical 2. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.
Candidates successful at sifting stage will be invited to an online interview.
The online interview will take place over Microsoft Teams and will include a presentation and interview questions. The interview will be using various assessment techniques aligned to the Civil Service Success Profiles framework. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. Situational style questions (what would you do if… ?) and past style questions experience (can you give me an example of time when…?) will be used to assess the specified civil service behaviours. In addition, you will also be asked technical questions relevant to the role. Candidates will receive the presentation topic and main interview questions one week before the interview.
We do not accept the use of presentation software to support the presentation; cue cards or prompts are permitted. Presentations will be 5 minutes in length.
The location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please be aware that we are encouraging staff to attend our Cardiff office regularly to connect with people and the organisation. You will therefore be assigned to the nearest office in Wales. Travel from home to your designated office in Wales will be self-funded. Frequency of attendance to a Welsh Government office should be agreed with the hiring manager.
Want to find out more?
To Help Explain The Application Process And Answer Any Questions You May Have About Our Placement Positions, We Will Be Hosting a MS Teams Webinar On The Following Date:
Monday 2nd February 2026 at 11:30 – 12:30.
which can be booked by emailing socialresearch.recruitment@gov.wales
Please read the privacy notice which tells you how we use the information you provide to us for the purpose of signing up to the information webinar.
Please notify us of any adjustments you might need in advance of the webinar.
As a minimum, students are required to have an understanding of the principles and skills needed to design and conduct social research. Students should be able to critically evaluate research methods, strategies and data used by social scientists and be able to (with support) undertake and present analysis. Although practical experience of undertaking research is desirable, experience of undertaking a complete independent research project as part of their degree course at the time of application is not required
As a guide, we recommend that you use the behaviours and technical criteria as headings and aim to write 250 words each. Using the “STAR technique” may help you to structure your evidence – information is provided in the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates pack. Please include how you considered your own or others’ lived experiences where relevant within the evidence provided.
For more information on Civil Servi
ce Behaviours and what is required for each grade, please refer to Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours .
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Technical 2. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.
Candidates successful at sifting stage will be invited to an online interview.
The online interview will take place over Microsoft Teams and will include a presentation and interview questions. The interview will be using various assessment techniques aligned to the Civil Service Success Profiles framework. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. Situational style questions (what would you do if… ?) and past style questions experience (can you give me an example of time when…?) will be used to assess the specified civil service behaviours. In addition, you will also be asked technical questions relevant to the role. Candidates will receive the presentation topic and main interview questions one week before the interview.
We do not accept the use of presentation software to support the presentation; cue cards or prompts are permitted. Presentations will be 5 minutes in length.
The location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please be aware that we are encouraging staff to attend our Cardiff office regularly to connect with people and the organisation. You will therefore be assigned to the nearest office in Wales. Travel from home to your designated office in Wales will be self-funded. Frequency of attendance to a Welsh Government office should be agreed with the hiring manager.
Want to find out more?
To Help Explain The Application Process And Answer Any Questions You May Have About Our Placement Positions, We Will Be Hosting a MS Teams Webinar On The Following Date:
Monday 2nd February 2026 at 11:30 – 12:30.
which can be booked by emailing socialresearch.recruitment@gov.wales
Please read the privacy notice which tells you how we use the information you provide to us for the purpose of signing up to the information webinar.
Please notify us of any adjustments you might need in advance of the webinar.
Vetting level
Basic
Number of posts
3
Contact point for further information regarding the post
socialresearch.recruitment@gov.wales
Welsh language requirements
3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
Understanding by reading
0 - No skills
Speaking and being understood
0 - No skills
Understanding by listening
0 - No skills
Writing and being understood
0 - No skills
Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
Behaviour 1:
The selection process and stages are:
Working Together
Working Together - Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles. Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding where necessary.
Behaviour 2:
Delivering at Pace
Delivering at Pace: Always work with focus and pace to get the job done on time and to a high standard. Use own knowledge and expertise to organise work.
Technical 1:
Broad awareness of how social research can be used to inform decisions in government, including what equality and diversity issues should be considered.
Technical 2:
Experience of design and/or delivery of quantitative and qualitative research (e.g. interviewing, focus groups, surveys, quantitative data analysis).
Technical 3
Experience in the interpretation and / or communication of research (e.g. presentation of results, conclusions and/or recommendations). This could include presentation of research in written reports or essays and/or presentations.
You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.
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)
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
All Welsh Government staff are members of the Civil Service, and as a result are eligible for:
Civil Service Pension Scheme
31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
training and development opportunities
Cycle2Work Scheme
Smart Working flexible working arrangement
Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)
If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.
If you are an active Civil Service Pension member you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales . Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.
How To Apply
All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.
Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.
If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:
request an application pack in an alternative format
request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application
Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.
You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.
Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.
If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.
Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.
For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .
For TS to G6 recruitment schemes:
When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.
Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address.
You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.
Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.
If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.
Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.
For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .
For TS to G6 recruitment schemes:
When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.
Social Research Undergraduate Placement | Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government | Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
