Trainee researcher

Closing date for applications: Friday 9 January 2026 at 17:00

Salary: £20,441 p.a. - paid as a tax free training bursary

Location: Bristol

Start date: 9 February 2026

Duration: six months

Working hours: 35 hours per week

Interviews: w/c 26 January 2026

Keen to kickstart your career in TV? This hands-on traineeship offers the chance to gain experience in research, storytelling and production across two iconic BBC Studios programmes.

BBC Studios factual entertainment team delivers some of the UK’s most entertaining and enriching programmes, giving audiences an escape from reality through relatable, funny and aspirational content. Its creative craft skills produce constantly evolving and enthralling narratives that keep audiences hooked, week-on-week all around the world. It connects with viewers through universal formats, charismatic presenters and bold storytelling full of heart and character.

BBC Studios currently has a coveted opportunity for a trainee researcher to join their team for six months. Throughout their time, the successful candidate will gain experience across Countryfile and Gardeners’ World, two of the BBC’s most iconic factual entertainment programmes. Both shows are highly respected in the rural, and horticultural communities and attract a loyal audience of nature lovers and gardening enthusiasts. This is the ideal opportunity for an outdoors and gardening obsessed TV enthusiast to emerge from this scheme with all the skills necessary for a junior researcher position. If you are ready to step into the world of factual entertainment and work on some of the BBC’s biggest and most loved programmes, this could be the role for you…

Key activities

On-the-job training will be provided across the two productions to ensure you develop an excellent grounding in how to find the best new stories, set up shoots, and become confident in archive research, media management, and camera assisting. The trainee will also gain unique insight into the cutting-edge technology used to capture stunning sequences and receive ongoing mentor support from experienced researchers on the team.

What you will learn

• A full understanding of the television production process across both Countryfile and Gardeners’ World
• A full insight into how the BBC Studios entertainment team operates in Bristol
• Research techniques and storytelling skills
• Administrative and editorial skills
• How to generate engaging ideas for a range of audiences

What we’re looking for

• A genuine passion for gardening, the countryside, and storytelling
• Strong research and communication skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Proven organisational ability and experience meeting tight deadlines
• Some knowledge of TV production processes and some technical know-how
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and to take initiative
• Passionate about pursuing a career in TV
• Creative and bursting with engaging ideas
• General understanding of the audiences for factual entertainment
• Demonstrable experience or interest in the media, including enthusiasm for factual entertainment content

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)