Focaldata
Graduate/Research Executive (FTC 12 months)

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About the role
Focaldata is hiring a Graduate/Research Executive on a 12-month fixed-term contract. You'll start in our Data Services team, understanding the basics of market research, and as the year goes on you'll get exposure to other parts of the business. This job is for you if…
- You're curious about how people think and behave, and want to see how research turns data into decisions
- You're relatively new to Market Research and open to exploring different areas of the industry rather than picking a specialism
- This is a 12-month fixed-term contract. We can't guarantee a permanent role at the end of the year, but there may be an opportunity to stay on depending on business needs and performance.
What you'll do
- You'll start in our Data Services team, building a strong foundation in quantitative research by supporting our trackers and multi-market projects. We will also provide exposure to qualitative work.
- As the year progresses, and depending on business needs, your focus may shift towards client success or our research consultancy team.
- Learning quant research from the ground up. You'll support trackers and multi-market projects across the full lifecycle: questionnaire design, questionnaire checks, scripting, fieldwork management, quotas, data cleaning and data tables.
- Helping keep trackers consistent wave to wave. You'll learn how we protect trend data, manage version control and document changes.
- Keeping an eye on fieldwork. You'll monitor incidence, quotas and data quality, and flag anything that looks off to the wider team.
- Supporting client communication. You'll help prepare client updates and join client calls, building the confidence to manage day-to-day contact yourself.
- Exploring other sides of research. Depending on business needs, you may move into client success (account management and growing client relationships) or research consultancy (analysis, reporting and proposals).
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Who you are (skills and experience)
Experience:
- A degree in a social sciences subject is preferred, though we welcome applicants from other backgrounds. No market research experience is needed, but internships or projects involving data, surveys or research are a bonus.
Skills:
- Comfortable working with numbers and spreadsheets
- Strong attention to detail, with high standards for accuracy
- Good organisation. You can juggle several tasks at once without dropping details.
- Clear written and verbal communication
- You enjoy being part of a team and learning from others, but are able and happy to take on smaller tasks yourself, manage your own time and see them through.


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Who you are (mindset)
- You're interested in the whole of market research: not just delivering projects, but how we win and grow clients and how the business runs.
- You use AI well, or want to learn. We're a tech-enabled agency, so we want people who use AI to work faster and smarter.
- You're curious and keen to learn. You ask questions and want to understand why things are done the way they are.
- You're flexible. Priorities shift with the business, and you're happy to adapt and pick up new things.
- You take ownership. Once you know how something works, you manage your own time and follow through.
Salary:
- Salary £30,000 - £35,000 depending on experience | Office based role Mon-Thurs
Focaldata is an equal opportunities employer. We believe in the value of a diverse and inclusive workforce for our business, team and customers. We encourage all applications regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage, pregnancy, maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We also understand that certain groups may not feel empowered to apply unless they match every single requirement. Please do apply even if you don't match 100% of every single requirement!
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