Internship – Researcher, Politics, BBC Scotland News

This opportunity is powered by the #BlackInterns Program which is a Black Professionals UK (BPU) initiative. 

In collaboration with BBC Scotland, we are creating internship opportunities for members of Black and other ethnic minority communities across the UK.   

About the politics team 

The BBC Scotland politics team is on the frontline of the stories that really matter. Exploring events in parliament and beyond, covering elections and holding those in power to account – there is rarely a quiet week in the team. 

Purpose of internship 

This internship offers a chance to work with all sections of the team, shaping and setting up our produced programmes, including The Sunday Show and Politic Scotland – as well as acting as a researcher to help our correspondents bring stories to our audiences.   

Responsibilities  

• Contribute to editorial meetings – bringing a fresh perspective 
• Research at the request of senior team members 
• Pitch ideas for stories that we can cover and areas to explore in interviews 
• Bid with political parties for guests 
• Find other relevant guests, helping to write briefs and cues 
• Opportunity to shadow the programme being broadcast in our Pacific Quay base 
• Opportunities to cut audio and video 

What we’re looking for 

Someone with a genuine and demonstratable interest in politics with fresh ideas about how we can approach and deliver stories. 

As a high stakes, high-performance team, we are looking for a real team player who’s very creative and wants to help tell a diverse range of stories from in and around the political spectrum. 

• Not afraid to get on the phones and look for new voices 
• Able to speak up when unsure of anything 
• Positive, can-do and solutions focused approach   
• Eager to learn and take feedback 
• Comfortable working to tight deadlines 

Benefits of training with us  

You will gain an insight into how the team works across on the day news coverage and our dedicated political programmes; how editorial decisions are made and how we go about structuring our interviews and newsgathering. We will work with you to build on your skills to help you get the most from this opportunity.  

REPORTING TO: Darren McCullins, Assistant Editor political programmes & Stuart Nicolson, Assistant Editor politics news. 

Hours per week:  36 

Duration: 12 weeks  

Commencing: September 2026 with interviews taking place in August 2026 

Office based – Split between Pacific Quay Glasgow and Edinburgh. This shift has a pattern of 0900 to 1900 Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri with the possibility of working some weekends for The Sunday Show. 

TRAINING BURSARY:  £22,756 per annum pro rata 

How do I apply? 

1.     If you are not already a BPU member, register for free with Black Professionals United Kingdom by following this link https://blackprofessionals.uk/register/ 

2.     Send a CV (2 pages max) and cover letter (250 words max) to workplacements@blackprofessionals.uk. 

3.     In the subject field of your application email, simply type “BPU012 – Name” E.g. If your name is John Mensah, kindly type “BPU012 – John Mensah”