BBC Career Opportunities Researcher, Landmark Series NHU

JOB BAND: B

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-term Contract

DEPARTMENT: BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU)

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

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: Up to 38000 depending on relevant skills knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

START DATE: late July 2026 onwards

Interviews will be held wb 20th July 2026 at Bridgewater House.

*PLEASE NOTE THIS ROLE IS SUBJECT TO GREENLIGHT *

A globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute the worlds most sought-after TV audio and digital content.

Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful entertaining and inspiring stories for people all around the world.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

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.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Join a talented and collaborative production team creating a groundbreaking sequence-based place-based landmark natural history series for a global audience.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

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.

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