🚀 User Researcher

User Researcher

Location: 2-days per week in London
Start: ASAP
Duration: initial 12-month contract
Pay: £650-700 per day (inside IR35)
SC Clearance required

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior User Researcher to lead and deliver high-quality user research activities across complex digital services. You will play a key role in shaping how we understand user needs, influence design decisions, and embed user-centred thinking within multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and conduct user research and usability testing.
• Synthesize research findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Collate and communicate feedback to wider programme stakeholders.
• Identify research opportunities and proactively shape the research agenda.
• Establish and promote user-centred practices within new and existing teams.
• Align research activities with wider service and organisational strategies.
• Mentor and develop other researchers to ensure high professional standards.
• Advocate for agile ways of working and adapt research methods accordingly.
• Align research focus with product and delivery priorities.
• Influence strategic and tactical decisions through evidence-based insights.
• Apply and advise on a range of analytical and synthesis methods.
• Facilitate collaborative analysis with multidisciplinary teams.
• Review and assure the quality of research outputs.
• Champion inclusive and accessible research practices.
• Ensure that research includes and represents diverse user groups.
• Help teams design and deliver services that work for all users.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate research findings effectively to influence decision-making.
• Manage expectations and maintain transparent stakeholder engagement.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in planning and leading user research in complex, agile environments.
• Strong understanding of user-centred design principles and service design.
• Demonstrable experience using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience mentoring and assuring the work of other researchers.

Desirable

• Experience working within government or large-scale public sector projects.
• Familiarity with the Government Digital Service (GDS) framework and service standards.