Careers and Employability Service
Services for current students

Political roles

There are a number of different roles within this sector, including working at a think tank, being a politician's assistant and undertaking social research.

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Your next steps

If you have questions about your plans, talk to a member of our team.

 

Government research officers

  • Civil Service Recruitment Gateway – for opportunities within the Civil Service
  • LGJobs – job profiles, sources of vacancies and sector news
 

Public affairs – think tanks and lobbying firms


  • The Guardian – a list of Britain's leading think tanks
  • Public Affairs Networking – contains a guide to public affairs and information for graduates
  • Smart Thinking – the latest UK public policy research and analysis 
 

Trade Union research officers

  • Association for Qualitative Research (AQR) – contains a business and members directory 
  • The Guardian - Society section  – published on Wednesdays, you can also view content on the Guardian website 
  • The Trade Union Congress (TUC) – provides a list of their affiliated unions which may have vacancies for researchers
 

Work experience and job vacancies

  • Visit the websites of think tanks to identify work experience or internship opportunities, for example, DEMOS, a think tank on democracy. Also, use the links under the heading 'think tanks and lobbying firms' above
  • Civil Service – for work experience opportunities visit their website which has a section for undergraduates
  • The European Parliament – traineeships to provide vocational training and to learn more about the European Union 
  • House of Commons – offers year-long placements, including in the Department of Chamber and Committee Services
  • LGJobs – the UK official website for local government job vacancies
  • Parliamentors – get mentored by an MP if you see yourself working in politics after graduation 
  • UK Parliament – advertises job vacancies 
  • W4MP – covers everything you need to know about working for an MP including information on internships  
 

 

 

Careers and Employability Service

University of Nottingham
Portland Building, Level D
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 3680
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 3679
email: careers-team@nottingham.ac.uk