Operational researcher

As an operational researcher, you'll examine an organisation's operations to find more effective ways of working, using a range of analytical approaches such as mathematical modelling and problem-structuring techniques. Your research helps businesses improve strategic policies and decision making.

Operational research (OR) is used throughout industry, commerce, the public sector and government services to find solutions to a range of complex operational problems, such as how to:

• increase efficiency
• allocate finite resources effectively
• improve customer service
• improve processes and procedures
• increase revenue and profitability
• reduce costs
• manage and reduce risk.

Operational research is also sometimes referred to as management science. Job titles vary and may include operational analyst, operational research analyst or operations consultant. Check job adverts to make sure the job reflects the work of an operational researcher.

What does an operational researcher do?

As an operational researcher, you'll typically need to:

• interview managers and staff to define the operational problem and the results they would like to achieve
• gather relevant hard and soft data from systems and staff within the organisation
• use analytical methods, mathematical programming techniques and statistical methods to analyse data and develop solutions
• develop models, often using spreadsheets and databases to test possible solutions
• make recommendations to inform the decision-making process to agreed timescales and quality standards
• compile a report of findings and make presentations to clients, often requiring clear and persuasive explanation of complex processes to a non-technical audience, in order to help them make decisions
• monitor the progress of each analysis, refining the approach where necessary and ensuring the work meets agreed quality standards
• keep up to date with changes to operational research techniques and identify new opportunities
• manage projects, staff and budgets - as you gain experience.

How much does an operational researcher earn?

• Operational researchers typically start on salaries of between £26,000 and £31,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Graduates on training programmes may earn more. For example, fast streamers on the Government Operational Research Service Scheme run by the Civil Service start on £31,554.
• As an experienced operational researcher, you can earn £40,000 to £60,000, and those who successfully complete the Civil Service Fast Stream and go on to gain promotion earn between £50,000 to £60,000.
• Salaries are usually lower in the public sector, compared with the private sector, and tend to be higher in self-employment and consultancy where specialists are involved more in strategic planning.

Salaries also vary depending on your skills and experience, qualifications, location and the sector you work in.

Benefits may include a pension, medical insurance, life insurance and bonus scheme.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does an operational researcher work?

You'll usually work 37 hours a week, although longer hours and weekend work may be required to meet project deadlines. Part-time work is possible and there may be opportunities for hybrid working.

Work is mostly office based, unless you're working in consulting or for professional services firms when you will visit client sites. You'll have frequent contact with people at all levels of a business or service.

Self-employment or freelance work is possible once you've gained experience.

Opportunities are mainly found within consultancies.

Overseas travel may be required in some sectors. Travel is more common in consultancies.

How do I become an operational researcher?

Most operational researchers are graduates, usually with a 2:1 or above. Employers typically look for graduates with a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) degree that has maths, statistics, management or computer science content.

Relevant subjects may include:

• data science
• economics
• industrial engineering
• life and medical science
• management science
• mathematics
• operational research
• physics
• statistics
• technology.

Although numerical degrees are the most common entry subjects, you can get into OR from a non-numerical degree or after working in another profession if you have the right combination of skills, experience and aptitudes.

You may also be able to complete an apprenticeship to become an operational researcher. The provision for this has been changing so you'll need to check to see what apprenticeships may currently be available. Check sources such as the government agency Skills England for information.

Some large employers offer graduate training schemes where you may be able to specialise in operational research and analytics. For example, the Government Operational Research Service (GORS) Fast Stream scheme offered by the Civil Service.

Some employers expect you to have an MSc in OR prior to entry, while others may fund new recruits to undertake a Masters part time. Search for postgraduate courses in operational research.

You may be able to secure funding for a Masters course via the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) or the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), if it is integrated into a doctoral training partnership (DTP). Some universities also have their own scholarships. Details of potential funding sources for research are listed by The Operational Research (OR) Society.

The OR Society holds a Careers Open Day, usually in November, which is attended by companies actively recruiting and universities running MSc courses.

What skills does an operational researcher need?

You'll need to have:

• good communication skills, for explaining the progress and results of the work in non-technical language and to persuade them that the changes bring benefits
• the ability to turn raw mathematical data into meaningful information and to apply it to real-life problems
• advanced analytical skills to collect data and text hypotheses
• project management skills with the ability to work to deadlines and budgets
• teamworking skills and the capacity to build a rapport with colleagues and clients
• technical and IT skills, such as knowledge of SQL, R, Python, Java or similar programming languages and advanced knowledge of Excel.

Where can I get operational research work experience?

Although not always essential, relevant experience is highly desirable. It's possible to get experience in OR through a summer internship or placement year in government or industry during your studies. Many students also collaborate with organisations on research projects as part of their degrees or through a placement year.

The Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (Dstl) occasionally offers opportunities for undergraduates to join a summer scheme or one-year industrial placement.

Student membership of The Operational Research Society is free for students doing a numerate degree and provides a range of benefits and opportunities.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs operational researchers?

One of the attractions of operational research work is its variety. It contributes to the success of organisations across a range of sectors and business environments.

The following are some of the main areas where OR techniques are employed:

• Government Operational Research Service (GORS) - employs analysts across a range of departments involved in determining and executing government strategies, from forecasting demand for services, to minimising risks and modelling the impact of proposed legislation.
• Defence - includes computer modelling of attack and defence scenarios to help the armed forces plan in active service, as well as disaster relief. The Dstl runs a graduate development programme for scientific and technical graduates, including operational researchers.
• Events management - OR is used in areas such as designing venues, planning large events and managing audiences and spectators.
• Financial services - used within the banking and financial sector to help make investments at reduced risk and assess cash flow.
• Health services - ORs are employed in the NHS for tasks such as determining how long patients will stay in hospital in order to work out how many beds, wards and doctors are needed. Their role includes reducing patient waiting times, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
• Management consultancies - international business consulting organisations increasingly have sections that specialise in business modelling, statistics and OR.
• Manufacturing industry - ORs play a significant role in helping companies improve efficiency, maximise automation, reduce costs and make the most effective use of capital investment.
• Marketing - ORs help companies target marketing activities through data mining, as well as using modelling to forecast demand.
• Oil - OR techniques are used to increase performance and profit.
• Retail - the analysis of market and consumer information is a major and rapidly growing role for OR in the retail sector. OR techniques contribute to improving service and reducing costs.
• Sport - ORs are involved in the design of stadiums and Olympic villages, for example, and ensuring that they are safe for spectators to enter, exit and move around in. F1 is another area of sport that uses ORs to maximise efficiency and safety.
• Transport and travel - ORs are widely used by airlines, for example, to decide which planes to buy, where to fly to, how many seats to sell and what fare prices to offer. The profitable development of low-cost airlines has depended largely on OR.
• Universities and research institutions - ORs teach on a variety of university courses such as undergraduate and postgraduate management degrees and diplomas, as well as the more specialist OR and mathematics degrees.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Civil Service Jobs
• Operational Research Society Jobs Board

Find out more about applying for an operational researcher job with the Civil Service.

Vacancies are also advertised on LinkedIn, the websites of large employers and in the national press.

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Datatech Analytics and Merje also advertise vacancies.

Where can a career in operational research lead?

If you're just starting out, many employers offer in-house training and short courses and may also support you to take a Masters degree, if you don't already have one. New entrants are usually assigned to an OR team and work on projects under supervision, gradually taking on more responsibility as they progress.

Promotion and long-term prospects in OR are good for those with the right combination of skills and experience. In time, you could move on to lead a project or team, still undertaking some analytical work yourself, as well as managing the work of other analysts. From there, the next step would be to manage an OR department.

Working in academia is another option but you'll usually need a PhD in OR for careers in universities and business schools, particularly at institutions with a strong research emphasis. Being qualified at PhD level is also valued for senior management positions in both the public and private sectors. Search for PhDs in operational research.

It's possible to use OR skills outside a pure OR function, working in a production or marketing department, for example, or to specialise in a particular area of OR. Alternatively, you could move into a career in general management. Increasingly, senior managers and directors have a background in OR as it provides an excellent insight into the ways that businesses operate.

With experience, you could also consider working freelance or setting up your own consultancy business.

Whichever route you choose, operational research is constantly changing, so you must keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career. A range of training courses, seminars and conferences, including major international events, are organised by The OR Society. These courses offer a structure for continuing professional development (CPD).

The OR Society also offers members three pathways for professional certification:

• OR Society accreditation
• Chartered Scientist and Registered Scientist - offered by the Science Council
• Data Science Professional and Advanced Data Science Professional - offered by the Alliance for Data Science Professionals.

Each route has its own application criteria, and you can apply to the route(s) most relevant to you.