Government Social Research
Government departments have their own pay and grading system, so salary scales vary. However Research Officers typically start on salaries in the region of £23,000 in London. Starting pay above the minimum is available to reflect qualifications and experience. Senior Research Officers start on roughly £28,000 in London.
Annual leave entitlement normally starts at 22-25 days, rising to 30 days after 5-10 years (again, this varies by department). This entitlement is in addition to 10½ days of public holidays and privilege days taken at fixed times of the year.
The civil service is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. Part-time and other flexible forms of working are also encouraged
You may be allowed up to 6 months' sickness absence on full pay, less any National Insurance benefit received, in any period of 12 months. After that a further period may be granted at reduced pay, subject to a maximum of 12 months' sickness absence in any period of 4 years or less.
Posts are normally permanent and there is an attractive pensions package. Permanent civil servants have a choice of two pension schemes:
i. Premium: A traditional occupational final-salary scheme. Your pension is based on your years of service and your salary when you leave. You contribute 3.5% of your salary and your employer makes enough contributions to pay you the pension promised.
The earliest you can usually take your pension without it being reduced for early payment is 60 and if you work beyond 60, you cannot draw it until you retire. Your pension will increase every year in line with the rise in the Retail Prices Index.
There are a range of options to ensure you can have a bigger pension if you wish and you can also choose to exchange some pension for a lump sum.
ii. Partnership: A stakeholder pension. Your employer will pay contributions into your pension fund and you can choose whether to contribute and who you want your pension provider to be.
Your employer will make a contribution as a percentage of your pensionable earnings. Currently, employers contribute 4½ per cent of your pensionable earnings if you are aged 21 to 25, up to 12½ per cent if you are 46 or over. And your employer will match any regular contributions you choose to make, up to 3% of your pensionable earnings.
Your pension fund should grow with investment and you can use the resulting 'pot' to buy a pension when you retire or to leave to someone when you die. You can take up to 25% of your pension pot as a tax-free lump sum.
Your final pension will depend on how much you and your employer contribute, the investment returns achieved and the annuity rate. Under current legislation, you can draw your partnership pension at any time between the ages of 50 and 75.
Casual and fixed term employees have access to the partnership scheme only.