Academy Programme - Walnut Unlimited

Walnut Academy programme.

At least once a year, we aim to take on a promising group of Academy Executives looking to kick-start their careers in market research. Our Academy Executives embark on a 12 month programme of learning and development. During the Academy year, the aim is to fast-track as much research experience as possible. Are you ready to take on the challenge?

From day one of the Academy, you’ll be working on real client projects – and prepare for a couple of surprises along the way, as we rarely know what the next exciting project will be! You’ll need to be adaptable and ready to work on a wide range of interesting projects with our different sector and method experts. Join us with enthusiasm and willingness to try everything; your day-to-day tasks will cover all stages of the project cycle from project planning, developing questionnaires, monitoring fieldwork, then analysing data and reporting this back to the client.

Your time on the Academy will see you develop your research skills in a support role, and you’ll ‘graduate’ to become a Research Executive on completion of the programme. You will be encouraged to take on responsibility from the start, and make your mark on the business. Most Academy Executives also do a short-term placement in Walnut’s Project Management team, learning how our operations team work to provide the essential momentum needed to enable us to deliver great work to our clients. Of course, you’ll be supported by a dedicated line manager who will help you seek the best opportunities for growth and will ensure you make the most of your Academy year.

As an Academy Executive, you will be coached and mentored during your first year and work towards the industry recognised Market Research Society’s (MRS) Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research. You’ll also reap the many rewards of working for an innovative agency like Walnut: we’ve placed in the Sunday Times Best Small Companies to Work For, we’ve been nominated for an MRS award for Best Agency to Work For, and we offer a multitude of training courses, as well as holding social and charity events year-around.

Applications for our 2022 Academy cohort are now closed. We will be recruiting again in Spring 2023.

Shanjida Rahman


My year on the Academy scheme completely flown by! It has been one of the greatest decisions I have ever made, as the first step of my career. I am surrounded by friendly and supportive colleagues who make us feel welcome each day. With the excellent training and on-demand support, you never feel like there is a question too silly! If you were like me, looking to gain experience in market research across different sectors and research methods, all in an encouraging and understanding environment then Walnut is for you. After all, we are the human understanding agency.

Mary Roberts


I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Academy. Every day is different, working on such a wide variety of projects, methodologies and sectors. With a focus on gaining experience on the start to end of a research project, you receive training on every aspect of the project lifecycle and your confidence only increases as you complete the programme. From designing a questionnaire to producing reports, you’ll experience it all. Throughout the programme I felt very supported and encouraged, everyone at Walnut is incredibly helpful and always willing to answer your questions. I could not recommend the Academy programme enough if you are looking to start a career in market research!

Matt Hunt


I graduated in 2019 and went straight into Walnut’s Academy, meeting some incredible people that have given me plenty of inspiration to kick-start my career. From day one, I guarantee you’ll felt like a valued part of the team – the researchers you’ll work alongside are great teachers within their ‘niche’, but also equally brilliant at finding opportunities that match your interests and skills. For me, this was presenting, and within 2 months I found myself co-presenting at a project results debrief! Beyond all else, there’s a strong culture of nurturing talent and investing in people, so if you have questions there will always be someone keen to answer. There’s no way to show how strongly I’d recommend the Academy scheme, you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Katie Allen


I honestly couldn’t recommend the Academy enough! As I was completely new to market research, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, and I definitely didn’t think I’d achieve as much as I have. Over my academy year, I got to work across lots of different sectors, and have gained knowledge on so many different topics (from toilet cleaner to smart glasses). Without doubt, the best bit is the people you get to work with; everyone at Walnut have been so supportive and empowering to always make sure I feel like a valued member of the team. I don’t think I could have picked a better way to start my career!