Field Interviewer - Dumfries

Help ensure Scottish voices are heard — and turn everyday experiences into insight that shapes decisions.

Can you commit to at least 20 hours per week over 3 days, including availability across weekdays, evenings and weekends?

Talk to people. Capture stories. Help Scotland be represented. As a Field Interviewer, you’ll visit people in your local area and carry out in-home research interviews on issues that matter — including health, housing, transport, and everyday life. This is about listening, not selling. You’ll represent a trusted research organisation in your community, helping make sure the realities of life in Scotland are reflected in the decisions that affect services, funding and policy. People you visit will usually have been contacted in advance. Your role is to make it easy for them to share their perspective — with warmth, respect and good listening.

You’ll be assigned a defined area, with practical route planning support to help make your patch manageable. In many Scottish communities, travel is a key part of the role, and you’ll need to be comfortable travelling throughout your assigned area. Some projects may also require longer journeys and occasional overnight stays. Paid travel time is available on most projects, alongside mileage allowance.

Using a NatCen device, you’ll guide thoughtful, respectful conversations and accurately record responses. The stories and experiences you capture help inform decisions made by governments, universities and charities — ultimately helping improve lives across the country. You’ll be fully trained before you go out on your own, including:Shadowing experienced interviewersRole-play and guided practiceSupported doorstep visitsOnce you’re up and running, you won’t be doing this alone. You’ll have regular check-ins, practical route planning support and a named contact to help you stay on track, build confidence and keep improving.But when someone says yes, invites you in, and shares their story? That’s when it clicks. You’ll know that by listening, you’ve helped give people a voice and played a part in creating positive change.

What you’ll earn

£20–£30 per completed interview

Holiday pay + admin fees

Paid travel time

Competitive mileage reimbursement rates

Bonus payments up to £750 in your first 12 months*

Additional support in this areaWork with visible public value — helping people in Scotland be counted and heardRoute planning support to make your week efficientPaid travel time on most projects and mileage allowanceFull training and support from day one What you’ll needValid UK driving licence and sole use of a carClass 1 Business insuranceRight to work in the UKWillingness to complete a DBS checkReliable home broadbandConfidence using basic technology

At least 20 hours available per week (minimum 3 days a week)

Flexibility to work across weekdays, evenings and weekends. While you can plan your schedule, the role requires availability to carry out interviews at the times participants are available, including evening and weekend appointments.Strong verbal and written English Who this role suits

This role suits people who enjoy talking to others, are comfortable working independently, and want flexible work with purpose.

You don’t need a particular accent or background — just the ability to build rapport, ask questions with empathy, and listen carefully. If you’re curious about people and motivated by work that truly matters, you’ll do well.

It’s a great fit if you’ve worked in retail, hospitality, admin, driving, sales, or any other customer-facing role. You don’t need previous research experience; full training is provided. You can typically expect to travel around 30–60 minutes each way. We’re looking for reliable, approachable people who take pride in doing work that matters. It’s especially well suited if you’re looking for flexible, part-time hours that can fit around family, studies, or other commitments.

Personal qualitiesGood at talking to peopleFriendly, respectful and professionalResilient and confidentSelf-motivated and independentGood time management and prioritising skills

About the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen)

At ScotCen, we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people’s lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, we focus our time and energy on meeting our clients’ needs and delivering social research that works for society.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the interview process, please make us aware and we will endeavour to support you so you can showcase your best self during our hiring process.

• All references to pay, bonuses and working arrangements are based on current projects and typical performance. Individual outcomes may vary.

Skills, knowledge & expertise

NatCen is Britain’s largest independent social research organisation. We believe social research has the power to make life better by helping organisations understand people’s lives, experiences and views. By speaking to people in their homes and recording their views accurately, you’ll help create research that informs decisions about services, policy and society. At NatCen, we believe social research has the power to make life better. By understanding the complexity of people’s lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful role in shaping decisions that can make a difference.

Our values

We Are CuriousWe listen carefully and capture people’s experiences accurately. We Move with PurposeWe plan fieldwork carefully and make every interview count. We Act with Integrity We treat every participant with respect, professionalism and confidentiality.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the interview process, please make us aware and we will endeavor to support you so you can showcase your best self during our hiring process.

If you want flexible work with purpose — and you’re ready to travel, listen and help make sure people are represented — apply today.

• All references to pay, bonuses and working arrangements are based on current projects and typical performance. Individual outcomes may vary.

Job benefits

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