Associate User Researcher

Exeter; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Exeter is seeking an Associate User Researcher to join the Digital team. This is a full‑time post (internal applicants only) with hybrid working and a salary of £33,951 to £35,608 on Grade E.

You will plan and conduct user research, recruit participants, analyze data and communicate findings to designers, developers and stakeholders to inform service design, UX and product development.

Qualifications

• Some research skills (qualitative and quantitative).
• Experience conducting user research studies, ideally with a digital scope.
• Excellent interpersonal and written/spoken communication.
• Strong IT skills and familiarity with UX research tools.
• Data analysis and visualization skills are a plus.
• Strong understanding of user-centered design principles.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct user research sessions using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Identify, recruit, and engage with a diverse range of participants.
• Analyze and synthesize research data to generate actionable insights.
• Communicate findings to the team and stakeholders clearly and engagingly.
• Contribute to user journey mapping and persona development.
• Ensure research informs iterative design and development.
• Collaborate with designers, developers and content designers to improve services.
• Maintain research documentation and repositories.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in research activities.

Skills

Research methods

Interpersonal communication

UX tools

Data visualization

User-centered design

Digital research

Tools

UX research software

Job description

About The Role

Associate User Researcher

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

This full-time post is available from 4th January 2027 until 31st December 2028.

The starting salary will be from £33,951 to £35,608 on Grade E, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

The Digital team are currently looking for an Associate User Researcher to join our expanding Design chapter. As an Associate User Researcher, you will work independently on research tasks and collaborate with more senior researchers. You will be responsible for planning and executing user research activities to inform service design, UX and product design, and delivery.

What you’ll be doing…

• Plan and conduct user research sessions using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Identify, recruit, and engage with a diverse range of participants.
• Analyse and synthesize research data to generate actionable insights.
• Communicate research findings to the team and stakeholders in an engaging and clear manner.
• Contribute to user journey mapping and persona development.
• Ensure research findings inform iterative design and development.
• Work with designers, developers, and content designers to improve services based on user feedback.
• Maintain research documentation and contribute to research repositories.
• Ensure research activities include diverse and underrepresented user groups

About You

We’re really looking for…

• Someone with someresearch skills (qualitative and quantitative)
• Someone with some experience conducting user research studies – Ideally with a Digital scope
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (both written and verbal) skills.
• Excellent IT skills and computer literacy are essential – In particular some familiarity with UX research tools and software
• Ideally someone with Data analysis and visualisation skills
• Ideally someone with a strong understanding of user-centered design principles

Further information

Please contact Joe Holland, [e-mail]

About The Division

More about the Digital Team!

At the University of Exeter, we're embarking on an exciting journey of digital transformation that will reshape the way we educate, research and collaborate. Our commitment to embracing cutting-edge digital technologies and fostering digital skills development is at the heart of our mission. We are dedicated to working with partners who share our values to enhance our education, research and partnerships while meeting the evolving needs of our students and colleagues across our campuses.

We work in an agile way and have organised the team into chapters (groups of people with the same skill sets) and squads (made up of people from the chapters who can work autonomously and to their own goals). We want to test and champion new working models in our squads that push the boundaries of inclusivity, location, and flexibility. Our users will be at the heart of everything we do and we'll develop new ways to deliver value, make things easier and generate new income along the way.

Our new team of visionaries is tasked with supporting the University of Exeter 2030 Strategy, focusing on:

• Simplifying and enhancing the end-to-end digital experience, augmented with physical elements.
• Identifying and testing new opportunities through rich data and insights.
• Developing innovative digital products, services, and platforms.
• Cultivating digital capability, encompassing skills, structure, working methods, technology, data, leadership, and culture.
• Check out our Digital Strategy for more info!

About Us

Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future

We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. Our inclusive, merit based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive.

You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Why our colleagues love working here

• Flexible working opportunities and leading parental leave initiatives
• Generous annual leave (39-41 days including bank holidays)
• Competitive pension contributions
• A genuine dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of all colleagues – see initiatives here
• Sustainability and the environment being at the heart of what we do

How we can help

If you’re considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at [e-mail]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.