User Researcher

Amber Labs; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based technology consultancy is looking for an experienced User Researcher with active SC clearance to support user-centred digital services in government programmes. The role involves leading user research, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring accessible products and services. Candidates must have strong public sector experience and a thorough understanding of the GDS framework. This position offers the chance to work on meaningful government programmes that impact millions.

Benefits

Work on meaningful government programmes

Collaborative and supportive teams

Opportunity to influence national services

Qualifications

• Active SC clearance is essential.
• Proven experience as a User Researcher in a public sector and/or GDS environment.
• Strong understanding of the GDS framework.

Responsibilities

• Champion the voice of the user throughout the product and service lifecycle.
• Lead and deliver user research using a design-led approach.
• Translate research findings into clear, actionable insights.

Skills

User-centred design

Public sector experience

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Problem-solving mindset

Job description

User Researcher

Location: UK Remote

Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract (FTC)

Clearance Requirement: Active SC clearance is essential

About Amber Labs

Amber Labs is a cutting‑edge UK and European technology consultancy focused on empowering autonomy, encouraging experimentation, and enabling rapid learning to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

Our culture is highly collaborative — colleagues from all disciplines work together to reduce risk, accelerate delivery, and create meaningful impact. Our teams are made up of highly skilled cross‑functional consultants, analysts, and support professionals working on complex, high‑value programmes.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced User Researcher with active SC clearance to support the delivery of user‑centred digital services across government programmes.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping digital products and services by ensuring they are accessible, inclusive, and genuinely meet the needs of diverse public sector users. Working within multidisciplinary teams, you will embed user research throughout the product lifecycle, from discovery and beyond, using a design‑led approach.

This role is particularly suited to someone with strong public sector experience, a deep understanding of the Government Digital Service (GDS) framework, and a proven ability to deliver high‑quality discovery‑phase outputs.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion the voice of the user throughout the product and service lifecycle
• Lead and deliver user research using a design‑led approach, rather than traditional requirements or business analysis methods
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including Product Managers, Content Designers, and Interaction Designers
• Translate research findings into clear, actionable insights that inform decision‑making
• Analyse and synthesise qualitative and quantitative research data
• Actively involve colleagues in analysis and synthesis to build shared understanding and challenge assumptions
• Advocate for the diversity of public sector users and embed inclusive research practices
• Ensure research participants represent a broad range of backgrounds, needs, and abilities
• Select and apply appropriate research methods aligned to each project phase and context

Requirements

• Active SC clearance (essential)
• Proven experience as a User Researcher in a public sector and / or GDS environment
• Strong understanding of the GDS framework, particularly discovery phase objectives and deliverables
• Experience producing high‑quality research outputs, including insights, recommendations, and supporting evidence
• Ability to contribute to business analysis activities, such as reviewing workflows, processes, and roadmaps to identify gaps and dependencies
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly
• A proactive, problem‑solving mindset and passion for user‑centred design
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, accessible, and ethical research practices

Why Join Amber Labs?

• Work on meaningful government programmes that impact millions of users
• Collaborative, supportive, and high‑performing teams
• Opportunity to influence services at a national scale

Important Information

• Active SC clearance is required – candidates without SC clearance cannot be considered
• We are unable to consider candidates who require sponsorship or hold a visa of any type