Senior User Researcher

DWP Digital; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A government digital service organization is seeking a Senior User Researcher to lead user research activities that shape user-centred digital services. You'll tackle complex challenges aligning research strategies with user needs while ensuring designs are based on evidence. The role provides competitive pay and a broad benefits package, emphasizing a collaborative, flexible work environment.

Benefits

Civil service pension with high employer contributions

Generous leave package starting at 26 days

Flexible working hours and policies

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience conducting user research effectively.
• Knowledge in diverse research methods for user studies.
• Ability to ensure research reflects diverse user needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead user research activities for digital services.
• Align research strategies to meet user needs.
• Collaborate with teams to inform service design.

Skills

Experience of user research

Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods

Significant research planning experience

Experience generating actionable insights

Ability to communicate research insights

Job description

DWP. Digital with Purpose.

We are seeking an experienced Senior User Researcher to lead research activities that shape user‑centred digital services.

We're using fresh ideas and leading‑edge tech to build and maintain digital solutions that will be used by nearly every person in the UK, every day and at key moments in their lives.

DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people.

The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.

What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?

• Experience of user research or appropriate experience in other fields of research.
• Knowledge and experience of using a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, selecting the most appropriate method depending on the requirements.
• Significant experience of planning and conducting research that considers the diversity of users, keeping in mind access needs and the ethical nature of research.
• Extensive experience and proven track record of generating new and useful insights for a project team to leverage, ensuring where relevant that the insights influence decisions.
• Experience of communicating insights from research to project teams and wider stakeholders or clients, to inform their decisions and make actionable recommendations.

Why do we need a User Researcher like you?

You will be focused on tackling complex and often unique challenges for DWP, by aligning research strategies to deliver solutions that meet user needs and achieve policy goals. You'll make a real difference by shaping government services that positively impact millions of people, improving accessibility, efficiency, and overall user experience.

As a Senior User Researcher, you'll lead research using both qualitative and quantitative methods, collaborating with agile teams to inform service design.

You'll identify problems, choose the right research approaches, and provide actionable insights that influence policy, content, and interaction design. Your work will ensure our services are evidence‑based and continuously improved.

We want a champion of user‑centred design, who can build shared understanding across teams and stakeholders.

By guiding product teams in interpreting research findings, you'll ensure user experience remains at the heart of development. You'll also advocate for inclusive practices, ensuring diverse user needs are considered. Your work will drive services that are effective, ethical, and truly reflect the needs of those who rely on them.

Details. Wages. Perks.

Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle‑upon‑Tyne and Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.

Regular travel between digital hubs is expected as part of the role (travel counts as working time, and your travel and expenses are paid).

Hybrid Working

We work a hybrid model – you'll spend some time working at home (40%) and some time collaborating face to face in a hub (60%).

Pay

We offer competitive pay for this role of up to £68,205.

Pension

You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%, worth £16,786 per year.

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A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time. You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi‑time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work‑life balance which includes:

• An award‑winning environment and culture: Employer of the Year 2023 (Women In IT Awards), Founders Award for Outstanding Digital Leadership 2023 (Digital 100)
• Flexible working including flexible hours and flex‑friendly policies
• Time off volunteering and charitable giving
• Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
• Interest‑free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
• Sports and social activities
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

Process

We know your time is valuable, so our application and selection process is just two stages:

1. Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through.
2. Interview: a single stage interview online.

CLICK APPLY for more information and to start your application.