User Researcher

Searchability NS&D; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days’ annual leave

Private healthcare and dental cover

Training and certification support

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Searchability NS&D is seeking a Senior User Researcher to plan and lead user research influencing service design for public sector projects in the UK. You will translate findings into actionable recommendations and work across design, development and stakeholders to set research direction that aligns with government standards and ethical practices.

The role requires accessibility expertise, inclusive research practices, and the ability to engage diverse user groups while complying with GOV.UK

Qualifications

• Experience delivering user research within a UK government context.
• Senior-level experience independently planning and leading research.
• Practical experience using methods such as interviews, usability testing, surveys and ethnographic studies.
• Strong analysis and synthesis skills, with evidence of research influencing service decisions.
• Knowledge of the GOV.UK Service Manual, Service Standard, design principles and WCAG 2.2.
• Experience conducting inclusive research, managing consent and protecting participant privacy.
• Strong stakeholder communication and influencing skills.
• Based within one hour of Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow, with flexibility to attend site 1–3 times per month.
• Willing and eligible to undergo SC clearance. Existing clearance is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• You will plan and lead research to understand users’ needs, behaviours and motivations, translating findings into practical recommendations that shape service design and delivery.
• Working closely with designers, developers and stakeholders, you will select appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods, conduct research with diverse user groups and communicate clear, actionable insights. You will champion accessible and inclusive services, influence priorities and ensure research follows government standards and ethical practices.

Skills

Govt context

Independent research leadership

Interviews

Usability testing

Surveys

Ethnographic studies

Analysis & synthesis

Accessibility WCAG

Stakeholder influence

SC clearance

Job description

• Hybrid working, with site attendance 1–3 times per month.
• Based in the North East or Scotland's central belt
• Help shape UK government services through user-centred research.

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Our client is a technology consultancy delivering digital services across the public sector. They are looking for a Senior User Researcher to take ownership of research and help multidisciplinary teams make informed decisions that improve services for users.

THE BENEFITS

• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare and dental cover
• Training and certification support
• Discretionary bonus

THE SENIOR USER RESEARCHER ROLE

You will plan and lead research to understand users’ needs, behaviours and motivations, translating findings into practical recommendations that shape service design and delivery.

Working closely with designers, developers and stakeholders, you will select appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods, conduct research with diverse user groups and communicate clear, actionable insights. You will champion accessible and inclusive services, influence priorities and ensure research follows government standards and ethical practices.

SENIOR USER RESEARCHER ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Experience delivering user research within a UK government context.
• Senior-level experience independently planning and leading research.
• Practical experience using methods such as interviews, usability testing, surveys and ethnographic studies.
• Strong analysis and synthesis skills, with evidence of research influencing service decisions.
• Knowledge of the GOV.UK Service Manual, Service Standard, design principles and WCAG 2.2.
• Experience conducting inclusive research, managing consent and protecting participant privacy.
• Strong stakeholder communication and influencing skills.
• Based within one hour of Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow, with flexibility to attend site 1–3 times per month.
• Willing and eligible to undergo SC clearance. Existing clearance is advantageous.

KEY SKILLS

Senior User Researcher, User Research, Government, GDS, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Usability Testing, Accessibility, Stakeholder Management, SC, NSD