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Political Researcher

Political researchers gather information about policies, elections and public opinion, then use it to help politicians, charities and businesses make informed decisions.

Political Researcher

35

Social Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI EXPOSURE TODAY35
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST80%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£28,000 - £34,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI exposure for this job is below 50 on our index, and the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

The role

As a political researcher, you dig into data, reports and news to understand what's happening in politics and what people think about important issues. You might analyse voting patterns, survey public opinion on a new policy, or study how a law is working in practice.

Your work could support a politician deciding what to campaign on, help a charity persuade the government to change a law, or help a business understand the regulatory landscape. You'll read widely, crunch numbers, write clear reports, and talk to different people - politicians, officials, journalists, campaigners - to gather and share information. It's a job where you get to see how government actually works, and where your research can shape real decisions.

Daily responsibilities

  • Conduct in-depth research on political issues, policies, and trends.
  • Analyze data and statistics to support political arguments and proposals.
  • Draft reports and briefs for politicians, stakeholders, and the public.
  • Attend and document political events, debates, and committee meetings.
  • Collaborate with other researchers, analysts, and political aides to gather insights.
  • Monitor media coverage and public opinion on key political topics.
  • Prepare presentations and summaries to communicate findings effectively.

Does a degree help here?

A UK degree, particularly in Politics, International Relations, or Social Sciences, equips candidates with a robust understanding of the UK political landscape, critical thinking skills, and research methodologies that are highly valued by employers in this field.