Overview of the role
The junior researcher serves an the entry point for editorial careers in unscripted television production, providing essential operational support across all phases of production while gaining foundational industry experience. Working under the direct guidance of researchers, assistant producers, producers, and production managers, junior researchers ensure the smooth operation of day-to-day production activities through diligent research, administrative excellence, and proactive contributor support.
This role functions as both a practical support position and comprehensive training opportunity within television production. Junior researchers are expected to demonstrate enthusiasm, adaptability, and strong work ethic while learning industry practices and developing professional skills. Their contributions enable senior staff to focus on creative and strategic responsibilities by handling essential logistical, research, and administrative tasks with reliability and attention to detail.
The junior researcher position requires individuals who combine meticulous attention to detail with genuine curiosity about storytelling and production processes. Success in this role depends on demonstrating initiative, maintaining professionalism in all interactions, and showing eagerness to learn from experienced colleagues while contributing meaningfully to production efficiency and quality.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Execute background research on potential contributors, relevant themes, locations, and subject areas as directed by senior editorial staff.
- Verify factual information and data accuracy to ensure all production materials meet editorial standards and compliance requirements.
- Compile clear, comprehensive research documents, contributor biographies, and background notes that support senior staff decision-making.
- Utilise diverse information sources including online databases, print materials, archives, and direct contact methods to gather thorough, relevant information.
- Identify and suggest promising new leads, potential storylines, or interesting contributors based on research findings and emerging opportunities.
- Make initial contact with potential contributors, professionally introducing the production and answering basic procedural questions about participation.
- Maintain courteous, consistent communication with contributors through phone, email, and in-person interactions, ensuring they feel informed and valued.
- Support producers and assistant producers in briefing contributors about filming schedules, expectations, and production processes.
- Assist with coordinating contributor travel arrangements, accommodation bookings, and logistical requirements under supervision.
- Monitor basic contributor welfare during production activities, escalating any concerns or issues to appropriate senior staff promptly.
- Assist in creating detailed briefing packs, contributor background notes, shooting schedules, and logistical documentation for filming activities.
- If required, source and organise props, wardrobe items, or specialised equipment required for specific filming sequences or contributor needs.
- Support location scouting and help secure necessary filming permissions, access agreements, and regulatory approvals.
- Prepare and distribute essential paperwork including call sheets, release forms, compliance documents, and crew information.
- Verify that all required documentation is complete, accurate, and ready for effective use during filming operations.
- Attend filming sessions to provide practical assistance to producers, assistant producers, directors, and technical crew members.
- Coordinate contributor arrivals, manage release form completion, and monitor participant welfare throughout filming days.
- Take comprehensive notes during shoots, logging key story moments, strong interview segments, and important coverage for post-production reference.
- Provide general production assistance including equipment transport, set preparation, basic technical support, and logistical coordination.
- Ensure cast and crew receive appropriate refreshments, comfort breaks, and general support that maintains positive working environments.
- Log rushes footage systematically, noting timecodes, story beats, and significant moments that support editorial decision-making.
- Transcribe interviews accurately with attention to detail, ensuring clarity and completeness for editorial and legal review processes.
- Provide administrative support to edit producers including document preparation, script printing, and organisational assistance.
- Assist with archive research, music clearance processes, and rights management tasks as required by production needs.
- Help compile compliance paperwork, delivery materials, and final documentation required for broadcast or distribution.
- Develop and maintain accurate databases of contributors, industry contacts, permissions, and production information.
- Keep digital and physical filing systems organised, current, and easily accessible to support efficient production operations.
- Assist with scheduling coordination, diary management, travel arrangements, and meeting organisation for production staff.
- Track progress of important paperwork including releases, compliance documents, and legal agreements, following up when necessary.
- Provide comprehensive administrative support to producers, assistant producers, and production managers across various operational needs.
- Support contributor completion of release forms and legal documentation under appropriate supervision from senior staff.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive personal information, production details, and proprietary material.
- Demonstrate awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and escalate any welfare concerns to appropriate senior colleagues immediately.
- Ensure accurate transmission of compliance notes and editorial concerns to senior editorial staff and legal advisors.
- Support production teams in maintaining fairness, accuracy, and ethical standards across all story development and contributor interactions.
- Assist researchers and assistant producers with their assigned workloads as directed, providing reliable support that enables them to focus on higher-level responsibilities.
- Proactively offer assistance to producers, producer directors, and directors when additional support could improve production outcomes.
- Provide general office and production support including phone coverage, document preparation, and facility management tasks.
- Demonstrate initiative by identifying necessary tasks and completing them efficiently without requiring constant direction.
- Learn actively by observing senior colleagues, asking thoughtful questions, and seeking opportunities to understand production processes more deeply.
- Seek opportunities to practice basic editorial tasks such as drafting interview questions, writing contributor summaries, and preparing research briefs.
- Learn fundamental technical aspects of cameras, sound equipment, and editing software through observation and hands-on experience when possible.
- Shadow producers, directors, and other senior staff during filming to observe professional techniques and industry best practices.
- Build confidence and competence in contributor communication, relationship management, and production coordination.
- Actively request feedback from senior colleagues to identify areas for improvement and accelerate professional growth toward more senior roles.
- Contribute to story research by identifying interesting angles, relevant background information, and potential narrative opportunities within assigned areas.
- Assist with casting research by identifying potential contributors who meet specific editorial criteria and production requirements.
- Support creative development by maintaining organised records of story ideas, contributor leads, and production possibilities.
- Help with fact-checking and verification processes that ensure editorial accuracy and legal compliance throughout story development.
- Participate in team discussions by sharing relevant research findings and observations that could enhance story development or production planning.
- Balance various small-scale responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining consistent attention to detail and quality standards. Prioritise tasks effectively when supporting multiple team members or working across different production phases.
- Meet deadlines consistently while maintaining quality standards, even when managing competing demands from different departments.
- Demonstrate reliability through punctual attendance, consistent work quality, and dependable follow-through on assigned responsibilities.
- Show flexibility in adapting to changing production needs while maintaining focus on core responsibilities and team support objectives.
- Develop understanding of television production processes, industry standards, and professional practices through active observation and learning.
- Build positive working relationships with colleagues across different departments and seniority levels within the production environment.
- Learn about different career paths within television production and identify areas of particular interest for future professional development.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of different production positions to better support colleagues and identify potential career advancement opportunities.
- Demonstrate professional behaviour and work ethic that establishes positive reputation within the industry and supports future career progression.
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of junior researcher.
- Fundamental research capabilities with ability to locate accurate, relevant information efficiently using diverse sources and verification methods.
- Strong organisational abilities for managing paperwork, schedules, databases, and logistical coordination across multiple concurrent activities.
- Excellent communication skills demonstrating professionalism and courtesy in person, by telephone, and in written correspondence with diverse stakeholders.
- Developing editorial awareness and basic understanding of unscripted storytelling principles and production requirements.
- Effective multitasking abilities for managing various small-scale responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining consistent attention to detail.
- Confident interpersonal skills for liaison with contributors while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and production objectives.
- Working knowledge of standard production documentation including call sheets, release forms, shooting schedules, and compliance materials.
- Communication: interacts clearly, courteously, and professionally with contributors, colleagues, and industry contacts across various communication channels and contexts.
- Collaboration: works effectively as supportive team member, understanding hierarchy while contributing meaningfully to collective production objectives and team morale.
- Problem-solving: uses initiative and resourcefulness to resolve minor challenges independently while knowing when to seek guidance from senior colleagues.
- Organisation: maintains systematic approach to paperwork management, scheduling coordination, and information tracking that supports broader production efficiency.
- Adaptability: demonstrates willingness and ability to take on diverse tasks at short notice while maintaining positive attitude and work quality standards.
- Resilience: manages demanding working hours, repetitive tasks, and high-pressure environments while sustaining energy, focus, and professional enthusiasm.
- Curiosity: shows genuine enthusiasm for learning about storytelling, discovering interesting contributors, and understanding all aspects of television production processes.
- Reliability: demonstrates consistent dependability through punctual attendance, reliable task completion, and trustworthy handling of responsibilities and confidential information.
- Professionalism: maintains courteous, respectful, and appropriate behaviour in all interactions with contributors, colleagues, and industry contacts regardless of circumstances.
- Ambition: displays clear motivation to advance within television production, actively seeking learning opportunities and demonstrating readiness for increased responsibility.
- Integrity: handles confidential and sensitive information responsibly while maintaining ethical standards in all aspects of work and contributor relationships.
- Initiative: proactively identifies opportunities to contribute, takes responsibility for task completion, and demonstrates readiness to help without requiring constant direction or supervision.