Temporary Researcher

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Temporary SPICe Researcher (Grade 4), Internal Candidates Only, Temporary until 19 February 2027, SPICe, Justice and Social Affairs  About the role 

Working pattern: This is a full-time post working 35 hours a week. We’re committed to supporting staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance and are happy to talk about flexible working. This is a hybrid role, working from Holyrood, and from home, with a minimum of two days a week in the office during Parliament sitting periods. 

This is an excellent opportunity to join the Scottish Parliament Information Centre as a Researcher in the Justice and Social Affairs Team. The post is covering a period of maternity leave and is temporary until 19 February 2027.  

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) is made up of around 50 staff and supports the scrutiny and legislative functions of the Parliament by providing impartial, accurate and timely information and briefings to Members of the Scottish Parliament, their staff, and Parliamentary staff. It comprises a research and information service. SPICe forms part of the Scrutiny Group and is led by three joint Office Heads. You can find out more about SPICe on the parliament website. To see where the office fits within our organisation, view our organisation chart. 

Your work will be driven by the demands of the Parliament and will primarily involve supporting staff within the Justice and Social Affairs Research Unit (a team of 12 including this post). As a Researcher in the Justice and Social Affairs Team, you’ll be involved in answering enquiries from MSPs on a wide range of subjects (civil and criminal justice, children’s social work services, culture, education and lifelong learning, equalities and human rights, housing, social security). You’ll also contribute to committee briefings and analysis to help MSPs scrutinise the Scottish Government’s policies in these areas, and help to prepare briefings and blog articles on relevant issues.   

For further information about the role please contact Shona Skakle, Head of Research, Library and Knowledge Exchange, via email to shona.skakle@parliament.scot   

About you 

You’ll have experience working in analysis, research or policy development and be able to work flexibly across the range of issues that the team covers.  

You’ll bring analytical and research skills to the role and have excellent communication skills which enable you to convey complex issues with brevity and accuracy.  You’ll be able to manage your own workload, working to tight deadlines and competing priorities, and will be expected to act impartially and exercise sound judgement in everything you do.  

You’ll demonstrate a high level of personal credibility with excellent communication and influencing skills. You’ll have a proven track record of working inclusively with a diverse range of people and groups. You’ll also have the ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships, recognising the value of everyone’s strengths, skills, experience, and knowledge.  

For full information about the role, have a look at the job description. You can also contact: shona.skakle@parliament.scot 

How to apply 

Stage 1 

Please apply before 12:00 noon, on Wednesday 29 July, 2026.    

You should apply using ESS (employee self-service) in iTrent by navigating to the current vacancies tab on your home screen. When applying, please use your Parliament email address in order to be identified as an internal candidate. 

To find out how to apply and for further information about our recruitment process, please see our recruitment process pages on the website.    

Please note that only your statement will be submitted to Hiring Managers, without any personal details. Hiring managers will then select candidates for further assessment or interview based on their statement which addresses the values within the job description.   

Stage 2 

At the final stage, you’ll be invited to attend a virtual panel interview and will also be asked to undertake a written assessment and presentation.  Assessments will be held w/c 17 August. Interviews will be held w/c 24 August. These dates are subject to change.   

Offers will be awarded based on merit. For this role, the following weighting is used to come to a final score on which offers will be based. Application 20%, Assessment 20%, Presentation 20%, Interview 40%.       

To find out more about our recruitment process and what happens after your application, please see our recruitment process pages on the website.     

Colleagues whose fixed-term contracts are nearing their end date should contact  PeopleServices@parliament.scot  if they are having issues applying for any of our internal roles. 

If you hold an adjustment passport, we encourage you to discuss your current working hours and adjustments in relation to the role you’re applying for.