Researcher (Eastenders)

Editorial, Production & Programming
- Fixed Term - Full Time
- London, GB, WD6 1JF
- BBC Studios Production
- Job Closing Date: 10/09/2024

**THE ROLE**:
**ABOUT BBC STUDIOS**:
BBC Studios is a world-renowned content studio and channels & streaming business, powered by British creativity, with a reach that touches audiences in every corner of the globe.

We work with outstanding creative talent who are responsible for platform-defining shows from Strictly Come Dancing to Eastenders, Prehistoric Planet to Planet Earth III.

The range and quality of our content is unsurpassed, creating critical and commercial successes and global phenomena.

**ABOUT BBC STUDIOS DRAMA PRODUCTIONS**:
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 Mysteries 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.

Do you love investigating topics and digging into detail? Are you a fan of EastEnders and recognise the importance of ensuring accuracy and authentic representation on one of the UK’s most watched soaps?

EastEnders is a multi-award winning soap broadcast four times a week. 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.

The Researcher works to the Senior Researcher to provide support to the script and story teams. As someone who watches EastEnders, you’ll know our storylines can be dramatic and hard-hitting. For the Researcher this means exploring a broad range of social issues including police procedures, medical processes, relationship breakdowns, and various other complex, often sensitive and potentially traumatic storylines, which may be impacting the characters of Albert Square.

You will scrutinise stories to ensure every element has been researched. You will check facts and processes are accurate by liaising with experts and agencies, and disseminate your findings to the story and script teams. You will be concise with meticulous attention to detail, and keep detailed logs and audit trails. You will advise teams about how topics can be applied authentically, whilst supporting them to carefully balance drama with real life issues.

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about social issues and committed to ensuring they are authentically portrayed in the show. An ability to work across multiple storylines, simultaneously, and engage with agencies and experts across various forms of communication is essential.

Whilst this job will be supported by a hybrid set-up, you will be expected to fit your working pattern around the schedules of stakeholders and mandatory conference and writers’ meetings.

**THE ROLE**:
The Researcher will report to the Senior Researcher and Editorial Producer.

The postholder will be solely responsible for the following duties:

- To assist the Senior Researcher, Script Producer, Story Producer, Editorial Producer and Writers to test potential story lines and character developments for consistency and credibility.
- To assess all scripts to ensure the continuity of research in story lines and the accuracy of any factually based dialogue.
- To alert 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 identify, and where necessary, establish and maintain relationships with experts in specific field, including the initial negotiation of fees or payments where appropriate
- To ensure close co-operation 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, to refer to the Editorial Producer to resolve doubts or competing views that may arise in relation to the script at any time
- To work closely with writers, developing and writing stories in a variety of formats.
- In conjunction with the writers, story team and Executive and Series Producers, produce clear and concise monthly story documents with sufficient detail to ensure clarity for commissioned writers and all departments within production
- Attend story meetings to give research notes and ideas to support stories
- Research alternative approaches to stories providing accurate and detailed supporting material
- Research issues arising from story and present comprehensive reports on every side of the argument
- Read storyline material and to identify and report on possible areas of resear