Researcher (Welfare)
Salary £ 23,132.20
Westminster, London
Vacancy listed 26/03/2026
Application deadline 12/04/2026
Details
THE ORGANISATION  
Founded in 2004, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) is one of the UK’s most influential think tanks. We’re here to challenge conventional thinking and put social justice at the heart of politics. Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty by tackling its root causes, not just managing the symptoms. 
 
Our work has helped shape some of the most significant welfare and justice reforms in a generation. We focus on five interconnected pathways to poverty: 
  • Educational failure 
  • Family breakdown 
  • Economic dependency and worklessness 
  • Addiction 
  • Serious personal debt 
 
We don’t do this from behind desks. We’re powered by the lived experience and insights of frontline charities - especially through the CSJ Foundation and our national Alliance of poverty-fighting organisations. These grassroots groups are the unsung heroes tackling Britain’s toughest social issues, and we want to amplify their voice in politics, media, and philanthropy. 
 
This is a critical moment for the CSJ. We’re scaling up our research, events, digital platforms, philanthropy and external engagement - and this role is central to that growth. 
 
THE ROLE  
The Centre for Social Justice is looking for an analytical individual with excellent research skills to join the CSJ’s Welfare programme. The role is ideal for an enterprising new graduate seeking to start their career in public policy. 

The successful candidate will support on high-profile research projects, with the aim of informing systemic change in our welfare system - both to build on the previous CSJ work on Universal Credit and to design a welfare system fit for the 2030. 

This research will be informed by close working with the welfare sector, the Department for Work and Pensions and a large network of charities across the country that work directly with individuals in and out of work.  

There is also scope for the candidate to drive new projects in welfare, dependent on experience and the wider direction of the team.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 
  • Writing policy reports, briefing notes, internal memos, presentations, emails to external parties. 
  • Researching and analysing qualitative/statistical information, including primary sources and government data sources/other third-party data.  
  • Compiling freedom of information requests/other requests for access to information. 
  • Developing instruments for primary research (e.g. focus groups, structured interviews).  
  • Managing working relationships with external partners and other key stakeholders. 
  • Helping to develop evidence-based public policy solutions to support programme goals.  
  • Overseeing research reports from initial idea to publication, and designing a campaign to continue pushing forward policy recommendations  
  • Supporting organisational initiatives to embed ideas around welfare reform in the mainstream policy debate, build support from MPs for our proposals, and sustain public interest in this policy area. 
  • Other duties that may arise from time to time. 
 
THE PERSON  
  • Ability to analyse, understand and synthesise complex information, and to present these findings in a concise and engaging way. 
  • Excellent drafting skills, including the ability to tailor to different audiences 
  • Self-starter, able to make recommendations on the analysis of data 
  • Ability to communicate well with colleagues and explain complex information simply to internal and external audiences 
  • Collaborative 
  • A strong appreciation of the need for accuracy, quality control and process control  
  • Ability to plan programmes of work and manage to agreed timelines  
  • Ability to form working relationships with a broad range of external experts  
  • A commitment to the CSJ’s vision, mission and values  
  • Understanding of the political environment and how to engage politicians 
  • Experience of research and data analysis 
Benefits

25 days AL + 3 additional days between Christmas & New Year

Notes

Please upload your CV and 1 page cover letter as one document in pdf format.

apply