Researcher (Customer Insight & Smart Technology)

The Extracare Charitable Trust t / a Extracare Ltd; Willenhall; On-site; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in the UK is seeking a Researcher to enhance the quality of life for older adults through applied research into smart technologies. This full-time role based in Coventry involves understanding customer needs and evaluating technologies that support independence and well-being. Ideal candidates are experienced in older-adult services and possess strong communication skills. Benefits include generous leave, pension contributions, and life insurance.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Contributory pension (up to 9%)

Buy and sell holiday scheme

Free life insurance

Cycle2Work scheme

Attendance reward

Free use of on‑site location gyms

Qualifications

• Experience working within retirement communities or older-adult services.
• Genuine care for enhancing older adults' quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to understand values, behaviours and expectations of retirement living customers.
• Evaluate smart devices for usability and impact.
• Translate complex findings into actionable insights for leaders.
• Monitor developments in the UK retirement living sector.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to interact with older adults

Experience in retirement communities or older-adult services

Job description

ExtraCare Charitable Trust is looking for a Researcher (Customer Insight and Smart Technology) to strengthen our evidence base and shape the future of our services. You will conduct applied research that strengthens customer experience, independence, and digital inclusion through smart technologies.

Working across our villages you will focus on understanding the needs and behaviours of current and future residents by exploring how smart home solutions can enhance wellbeing, safety, and autonomy. You will maintain and develop the Innovation Apartment, assess smart technology solutions, and generate insights that influence strategy, operations, and service design.

This is a great opportunity to see your research make a tangible, real‑world difference to the lives of older people.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Contributory pension (up to 9%)
• Buy and sell holiday scheme
• Free life insurance
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Attendance reward
• Free use of on‑site location gyms

Role Details

• Role: Researcher (Customer Insight and Smart Technology)
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full‑time, permanent)
• Location: Head Office, Coventry, CV3 2SN
• Salary: £32,000 per annum

Key Duties

• Conduct research to understand the values, behaviours, and expectations of both current and future retirement living customers.
• Investigate the effectiveness of smart technologies in supporting independence, safety and wellbeing in older adults.
• Evaluate smart devices (e.g., sensors, voice assistants, health monitors) for usability and impact.
• Translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights for senior leaders and operational teams.
• Support the development of pilot projects and future‑living concepts, ensuring they are informed by robust insight.
• Monitor developments in the UK retirement living sector and broader social trends affecting older adults.

Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will have experience working within retirement communities or older‑adult services, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to interact comfortably with older adults. You should possess a genuine care for enhancing older adults' quality of life.

ExtraCare strives to create a workplace that fully reflects society. We want our staff to feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work and be part of a safe and supportive community.

ExtraCare is committed to making our recruitment practices as fair and inclusive as possible for all. This includes making reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process.

ExtraCare does not participate in the current “UK Visa Sponsorship” scheme, and we would not be able to facilitate sponsorship.

ExtraCare reserve the right to close this advertisement early.

Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026

Proposed interview dates: Week commencing Monday 12th January 2026, and/or week commencing Monday 19th January 2026