Government Operational Research Service

The Government Operational Research Service (GORS) is an analytical profession for civil servants. GORS supports policy-making, strategy and operations in many different departments and agencies and employs over 1000 analysts, from sandwich students to Senior Civil Servants.

GORS analysts bring accuracy and thoroughness to the decision-making process. We are the analytical minds behind many of the Government’s policies, which means our work affects the lives of everyone in the UK.

Operational Research (OR) is also known as “Management Science”, “Business Analytics”, or “Data Science”. It is a multidisciplinary vocation which applies scientific and mathematical expertise and methodologies to problems outside the traditional boundaries of these fields. The aim is to influence and improve organisational decision making and create better outcomes.

OR practitioners start with an analytical perspective and knowledge of mathematical modelling and statistics. They combine this with consultancy skills and formal techniques for stakeholder engagement and consensus building, to define, model and solve complex real-world problems.

GORS analysts help answer vital questions such as:

  • How can we measure and improve the quality of service in education, health, social security, and other public bodies?
  • How can we visualise and make predictions about the UK’s transport, electricity, and other infrastructure networks?
  • How can the UK best decarbonise its activities and fight climate change?

If you have a background in mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering or other numerate discipline and want to use those skills for the benefit of everyone in the UK, then GORS is the place for you. You can find out more about the requirements for joining GORS on the Operational Research website.

To learn more about the experience of working in GORS, see our member profiles or department pages.

Useful Links

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