Researcher, Landmark Series NHU

Location

Bridgewater House, Bristol with at least 3 dpw in the office.

Up to £38,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

Late July 2026 onwards. Interviews will be held on 20th July 2026 at Bridgewater House.

* PLEASE NOTE THIS ROLE IS SUBJECT TO GREENLIGHT*

BBC Studios Natural History Unit is embarking on a spectacular sequence-based landmark production following on from the recent success of Asia, Americas and Kingdom. We are looking for two experienced and enthusiastic researchers to work on this ambitious project.

Researchers will need to be experienced, highly creative, adaptable, and organised with a keen eye for a good story. You will have the ability to take an innovative, ambitious and imaginative approach to discovering, developing and pitching outstanding content ideas. As well as researching and setting up filming for both blue-chip natural history and presenter‑led sequences, you will be an adaptable team‑player offering practical support to Production Management, Producers and Assistant Producers throughout the series, including on location.

Essential Criteria:

• A passion for natural history television and a specialist knowledge of animal behaviour.
• Experience on location and have directed at least one shoot.
• Knowledge of and good contacts with leading wildlife experts and organisations across the African continent.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to build relationships with a variety of people from different backgrounds – from scientists to fixers, and park rangers to drivers.
• Experience in working with cameras and/or self‑shooting contributors and generating behind the scenes content to a high level.
• Track record of finding and developing new emotionally engaging and achievable behavioural stories that suit the editorial brief.
• Resilience and stamina to sustain performance when under pressure with excellent organisational and planning skills.

Desirable Criteria:

• A demonstrable understanding of the importance of safe management of shoots.
• Experience working with presenters and contributors on location.
• A specialist knowledge and experience of working in challenging environments.
• A willingness to spend long periods on location.
• Proven knowledge and an interest in cutting‑edge camera technologies and techniques to produce visually new stories.
• Experience with new media and digital content.
• Experience of sourcing, logging Archive and understanding archive restrictions.

Please note:

Candidates who are selected for an interview will be asked to prepare an example of an original wildlife story. Please do not provide stories at this stage of the application process.

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note:

If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks;
Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief. We aim to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us.