Graduate Research Assistant

ZipRecruiter; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing executive search firm seeks a driven individual for the role of executive researcher. You will engage in high-stakes searches, providing valuable market insights and identifying top candidates for leadership roles. The position offers comprehensive onboarding, mentoring, and a clear career path, alongside competitive pay and company perks such as paid training and early finishes on Fridays.

Benefits

Competitive base salary + commission

Generous and growing holiday allowance

Paid industry training and certifications

Regular team socials and company events

Early Friday finishes

Qualifications

• Comfortable speaking with executives and conducting detailed research.
• Ability to contribute to a collaborative team atmosphere.
• Self-starter who can work independently when needed.

Responsibilities

• Research industries and candidate pools for ongoing assignments.
• Build and maintain structured databases and talent pipelines.
• Prepare candidate profiles for consultant review.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Proactivity

Collaboration

Education

Strong academic foundations

Job description

Job Description

The Company

Our client is a fast-growing executive search firm focused on senior-level roles across private healthcare, social care, education, and life sciences. With a strong reputation and a team-first culture, they’re committed to delivering results for their clients while creating a work environment where ambition, curiosity, and collaboration thrive.

The team has earned multiple industry awards for consistently placing top-tier talent in leadership positions. High-growth businesses, investors, and operators trust them to deliver leaders who can drive real impact.

The Job

This role suits a sharp, driven individual who enjoys research and working towards a process yet also a curious mind to think outside the box. In this role, you’ll play a key part in supporting high-stakes executive searches, providing detailed market intelligence, tracking top talent, and identifying the best-fit candidates for critical leadership roles.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with senior consultants to research industries, companies, and candidate pools for ongoing assignments.
• Build and maintain structured databases and talent pipelines for future searches.
• Compile shortlists and prepare candidate profiles for consultant review.
• Deliver clear, insightful updates on research progress through written and verbal reporting.
• Connect directly with senior-level professionals using targeted headhunting strategies.
• Manage candidate engagement throughout the process, from first contact to follow-up.
• Keep your market knowledge sharp through regular reading, networking, and collaboration with experienced colleagues.

What You’ll Get

Full onboarding, hands-on mentorship, and a mapped-out career path to help you grow into a top-tier executive researcher. Expect to be challenged, supported, and developed at every stage.

Perks include:

• Competitive base salary + commission
• Generous and growing holiday allowance
• Paid industry training and certifications
• Regular team socials and company events
• Early Friday finishes

Candidate Requirements

This role is ideal for someone with strong academic foundations, excellent communication skills, and a drive to work on high-level talent projects. You’ll be comfortable speaking with executives, conducting detailed research, and contributing to a collaborative team.

Key traits we’re looking for:

• Strong attention to detail and a structured approach to work
• Reliable, deadline-focused, and proactive
• Friendly, curious, and a natural collaborator
• Confident communicator who can build rapport and trust
• Self-starter who can work independently when needed

If you’re intellectually curious, ambitious, and ready to make a real contribution to a high-performing team, we’d love to hear from you.