Senior Researcher (EastEnders)

Job Introduction

Do you have experience of Drama Research? Do you enjoy supporting others, sharing your skill set and ensure that the best storylines go out every week? Then this is the role for you!

EastEnders has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Drama Researcher to step up and lead a team of researchers, supporting the Editorial department, setting deadlines and delivering research material in-line with the production schedules.

The successful candidate will use their excellent communication and influence to help shape and mould the creative flow of ideas, ensuring that all scripts and ideas are viable from a researchers perspective, interpreting the Editorial intentions along the way and contribute to the generation of new ideas.

EastEnders is the multi award winning soap broadcast four times a week on BBC ONE. It currently ranks as one of the most watched TV dramas in the UK tackling many controversial and taboo issues previously unseen on television in the UK. Through great writing and attention to detail the show manages to successfully balance gritty realism with high drama and entertainment to keep its millions of dedicated viewers coming back for more, on-screen and on-line, every week.

Main Responsibilities

The Senior Researcher will report to the Series Producer.

The Senior Researcher will provide support to the Senior Editorial Team and Writers in order to identify and carry out research activities on any subject matter suggested by the storylines and ideas accepted by the Script Producer and will generate suitable alternative ideas where research indicates that original ideas are not viable or appropriate.

The postholder will be solely responsible for the following duties:

• Overseeing the research department, you will be responsible for the direct line management of a team of researchers

• You will be responsible for setting deadlines and delivering research material in-line with the production schedules

• Communicate at high level any story or script changes that need to be made, alerting the Story Producer, Script Editors and Writers to any difficulties or inconsistencies which may arise from such research and to suggest ideas for possible alternatives where research suggests that the original idea is no longer viable

• To be across, and research all upcoming storylines

• To assess all scripts in order to ensure the continuity of research in storylines and the accuracy of any factually based dialogue

• To identify, establish and maintain relationships with experts and charities in a specific field, including the initial negotiation of fees or payments where appropriate

• To stay up to date with current affairs and social and cultural movements particularly as they pertain to London, and to look for opportunities to feed this information into story

• To ensure close cooperation and communication with all departments at EastEnders

• To attend as necessary all Planning and Commissioning meetings

• To be aware of the full extent of the financial and purchasing authority of the post, and to ensure that this authority is exercised in accordance with Network Television and BBC financial arrangements

• Where appropriate, refer to the Script Producer to resolve doubts or competing views that may arise in relation to the script at any time

Are you the right candidate?

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate the following criteria:

• Substantial experience as a Researcher, ideally in televised drama

• Excellent knowledge of the administrative support required by production

• Experience of establishing and maintaining office and administration systems

• A broadly based knowledge and a familiarity with conventional and specialised sources of information and research techniques

• Experience managing a team

• Experience communicating with and influencing senior stakeholders

• An understanding of and the ability to interpret Editorial intentions, and to contribute to the generation of ideas and the resolution of script problems

• The ability to handle confidential information with tact and sensitivity

• Excellent communication skills

• Knowledge and passion for television drama productions, especially EastEnders

Package Description

Contract: 12 Month FTC / Attachment

Band: B

Location: BBC Elstree

**Please note that this is a standard Studios Production contract and potentially can involve up to 55 hours per week **

Life at BBC Studios

BBC Studios Drama Productions is renowned for bringing audiences together week after week. We are the creative powerhouse behind award-winning Drama such as EastEnders, Silent Witness, Father Brown and Sister Boniface to Casualty, River City, Pobol y Cwm and Anfamol. In addition to our iconic brands, we have an ambitious growth strategy with a slate of fresh and exciting new shows in development. 

Here, we champion an inclusive culture aligned with our , fostering an environment where you can freely unleash your creativity, in the pursuit of bold content. Collaborating with some of the industry’s brightest talents, you’ll have the chance to leave your imprint on millions of viewers worldwide. What’s more? There’s plenty of opportunities for growing your career with us too, nurturing and developing talent is ingrained in our DNA – we’d love for you to be part of it. 

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours 

The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background. More information on our D&I plan can be found

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. More information on sustainability at BBC Studios can be found

We are proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and we strongly encourage applications from disabled people . If you meet the minimum criteria for this role and declare that you are disabled, we will ensure to advance you to the next stage (minimum criteria above).

If you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please contact us on .