Senior User Researcher

TN United Kingdom; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is seeking a Senior User Researcher to enhance public services through user-centered research. This role involves conducting qualitative and quantitative research, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for user research to inform design processes. The ideal candidate will have expertise in various research methodologies and a commitment to accessibility and inclusive design.

Benefits

Flexible benefits platform

Cycle to Work scheme

30 days of holiday

Flexible working hours

Remote working options

Paid counselling

Support for health and legal advice

Qualifications

• Proficient in user-centered, lean, and agile research methodologies.
• Knowledge of accessibility and inclusive design principles.
• Experience in delivering high-quality public services.

Responsibilities

• Manage the entire research process and communicate findings.
• Select appropriate research methods for each project.
• Analyze and synthesize research data to provide actionable insights.

Skills

User-centered research methodologies

Usability testing

Contextual enquiry

Agile research methodologies

Accessibility principles

Inclusive design principles

Service Design

Content Design

Interaction Design

Job description

Made Tech aims to positively impact society by leveraging technology to improve public services. We believe a design-led approach can create significant benefits in the public sector by focusing on critical services enabled through technology. We are building a community of designers and researchers to meet the growing demand for design-led service delivery.

Senior User Researchers are experienced professionals confident in collaborating with UCD colleagues and external teams such as Data & Tech. They work to understand user challenges in accessing public services.

This role involves conducting user research using qualitative and quantitative methods with real users, ensuring research insights inform the end-to-end design process.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the research subject matter expert within a multidisciplinary team, managing the entire research process and communicating findings to team members and stakeholders.
• Define research scope to ensure shared understanding of success criteria.
• Select appropriate research methods for each project.
• Work independently as a researcher within client projects.
• Advocate for user research within projects and with stakeholders.
• Plan research to inform the design of accessible, usable, and effective public services.
• Analyze and synthesize research data, providing actionable insights.
• Identify key stakeholders, build relationships, and keep them updated on research progress.
• Present findings effectively in meetings and 'show & tell' sessions.
• Interpret research findings to validate or challenge team assumptions.
• Support decision-making based on research outcomes.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Proficient in user-centered, lean, and agile research methodologies, including usability testing, contextual enquiry, rapid research, and evaluative research.
• Knowledge of accessibility and inclusive design principles.
• Adherence to Made Tech’s research standards, MRS code of practice, and GDPR.
• Ability to communicate clearly with research participants and share GDPR policies.
• Support hiring and onboarding of researchers.
• Contribute to defining and promoting Made Tech’s design principles for public services.
• Represent the community both publicly and internally.
• Participate in communities of practice, sharing knowledge and best practices.
• Proactively learn new research methods and analysis techniques and share insights with the team.
• Seek feedback and provide constructive feedback to colleagues.
• Desirable: Skills in Service Design, Content Design, or Interaction Design.
• Experience in delivering high-quality public services and developing case studies.
• Contribute to the growth and happiness of the UCD community at Made Tech.

We offer flexible benefits, including a benefits platform with schemes like Smart Tech, Cycle to Work, and a personal benefits allowance. Our benefits also include social and wellbeing events, 30 days of holiday, flexible working hours, flexible parental leave, remote working options, paid counselling, and support for health and legal advice. Successful candidates will be required to undertake SC clearance.

Made Tech’s mission is to use technology to improve society for everyone. Our work includes designing and building digital services rapidly, such as the Homes for Ukraine platform, digital access to NHS services, and environmental monitoring for energy efficiency. We are recognized for our transparency and employee-centric initiatives, including an open-access employee handbook.