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Media researchers support producers by finding stories, information, people and locations for television and radio programmes.
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home
As a media researcher, you could:
You could work in an office or at a TV studio.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You can get into this job through:
You can do a degree at university before applying for researcher jobs. Most subjects are acceptable, although some programme makers may look for expertise in a particular subject, depending on the show.
Subjects include:
You'll usually need:
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this role.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do a Broadcast Production Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
You would learn a wide range of skills on this apprenticeship. On completion, you could concentrate on the research side of programme production.
You could start as an administrator, runner or production assistant with a TV company and take on research duties, with the support of your employer.
Making contacts in the industry is a good way to find opportunities and work placements to develop your research skills. You could:
You can apply directly to employers if you've got relevant skills and knowledge needed for this job. Work experience, contacts and good research skills are highly valued.
You could also move into programme research if you've worked in journalism, or had a research job in a non-media field, such as social or political fact-finding and analysis.
You could take a training course through a professional body, like BECTU, the broadcast union, or ScreenSkills. These are open to new starters as well as existing staff looking to progress.
You'll need to get practical experience of media production, and develop a network of contacts in the industry.
Being able to solve a problem creatively can be very useful. It'll also be helpful if you have knowledge of current affairs and the media.
Some understanding of how artificial intelligence content creation tools work may be helpful in certain roles. While specialist subject knowledge may be needed for specific programmes and documentaries.
You can find out more about becoming a media researcher from ScreenSkills and organisations like:BBC Early Careers; Channel 4; ITV
With experience, you could supervise a research team on larger productions.
You could also move into an assistant producer role, or get into writing or directing.
Working as a freelance researcher is another option.
You'll need to get practical experience of media production, and to develop a network of contacts in the industry.
For general areas, knowledge of current affairs and the media, plus evidence of lateral thinking and creative problem solving is useful.
Specialist knowledge and research experience may be needed for specific subjects or documentaries.
You can find out more about becoming a media researcher from ScreenSkills and BBC Careers.