Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by .
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!
At Network rail you will also have a clear development path with access to training and additional qualifications.
In joining Network Rail, you're not only joining an organisation with a vital role to play for the country, but also a team of more than 40,000 people, and a business dedicated to being one of Britain's best employers.
Network Rail Benefits - In addition to the above, you can enjoy a fantastic range of employee benefits, such as:
28 days annual leave + bank holidays
75% discount on rail leisure travel for you and your family
75% subsidised Season Ticket for work travel (includes Underground)
A range of pension options
Annual Performance Related Pay package
Flexible and agile working arrangements
Discounts on shopping
Discounted Gym memberships and much more.
For the full range of our fantastic benefits click
Brief Description
The role of Liability Researcher primarily involves reading and interpreting historic records dating back to when the railways were constructed in the 1800s to understand what Network Rail's legal responsibilities are for infrastructure. The role also involves undertaking research and collating information from different sources including case law, old plans and textbooks to support the team in reducing liability and expenditure and defending the Company in public inquiries for claims for public rights of way. In addition, the Researcher will lead a workstream involving identification of ownership and liability for outside party owned assets which interface with the railway through interpreting legal agreements and clearly communicating their contents. This will also include liaising with internal and external parties and collating responses into a database to track progress.
The Liabilities team get involved in a wide range of activities from closure of level crossings to giving the company advice on pigeon nuisance complaints, for this reason the role is extremely varied with no two days the same and the ideal candidate will need to be able to comfortably manage competing priorities and deadlines. Knowledge and understanding of statutory, common contractual and property law is essential and, whilst not essential, it would be advantageous for a candidate to have a background in English language, history or public rights of way.
About the role (External)
Key Accountabilities -
1. Carry out Parliamentary and Liability research to support the provision of statutory and contractual advice for Network Rail infrastructure, to inform of maintenance and renewal obligations in law.
2. Update, verify and manage liability data contained in various Network Rail Work Banks and Databases.
3. Support the provision of opportunities and methods to reduce or eliminate Network Rail's obligations to renew or maintain infrastructure.
4. Support negotiations with external parties for the reduction of liabilities and the completion of appropriate documentation.
5. Support progressing opportunities for the closure or reduction in status of level crossings.
6. Provide advice to protect railway infrastructure assets from the unauthorised or unlawful activities by adjoining owners/occupiers.
7. Proactively seek and obtain knowledge, skills and experience of railway engineering through a combination of working with senior colleagues, on-the-job training, formal training courses, personal research, and attendance at relevant meetings of professional and technical bodies.
Essential
HNC/HND or equivalent qualifications in a relevant subject
A fundamental knowledge and understanding of statutory, common contractual and property law
Good communications and interpersonal skills
Significant knowledge and application of Microsoft Office suite
Desirable
Degree or equivalent qualification
Junior Membership of an appropriate professional body
Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.
How to apply (External)
Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or other irrelevant factor.
We are a employer! We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
We are here to support you through every step of the recruitment process and to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. If you require any adjustments or modifications please contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at mark.holt@networkrail.co.uk. You can also visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.
We positively embrace flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work with their family and home life.
Network Rail Benefits -
Network Rail is required to comply with UK Government standards when carrying out pre-employment checks for all new starters; this includes a basic criminal record check. In addition to the basic criminal record check, in accordance with the UK Government we are also required to verify your identity, right to work in the UK and previous three years employment history.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. . Please ensure you have the appropriate Right to Work status when applying for this role."
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should be able to demonstrate your to safety and awareness of our .
Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent including a choice of contributory pension schemes, a generous annual leave package, a bonus scheme and an annual 75% subsidy on season tickets costing up to 3,333 (to a maximum amount of 2,500). You will also be entitled to 28 days annual leave
Salary: Circa 28,000 per annum.
Please note, this is an FTC opportunity until 31st March 2026.
*Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*
***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****
Closing date 3rd October 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.

Skills Required