User Researcher

United Kingdom Government; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

HM Courts and Tribunals Service in the UK is seeking an experienced user researcher to plan and carry out primary qualitative research within a multidisciplinary agile team, helping deliver public-facing services.

You will source participants, select appropriate methods, test service aspects, present findings to stakeholders, and translate insights into concrete design recommendations that inform decisions across the project.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of conducting primary public-facing qualitative research.
• Experience using appropriate research methods to generate insights into user behaviour and needs.
• Strong research and analytical skills, able to produce actionable insights from multiple data sources.
• Understanding of user-centred design principles and tools.
• Experience building consensus with stakeholders using evidence.
• Desirable: experience designing accessible services for all users and including diverse users in research.
• Desirable: experience managing, executing and analysing usability test sessions.
• Desirable: research in an agile development environment with UX teams.
• Desirable: experience working with courts/tribunals or the justice sector.

Responsibilities

• Plan and carry out user research activities as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Work independently on a multidisciplinary team to design, plan and carry out research.
• Conduct user research using a range of methods, selecting the appropriate method depending on programme requirements.
• Source and procure participants and facilities for user research activities, including specifying requirements for user testing groups.
• Test high-level and specific aspects of a service and present research findings to help gain consensus and support action.
• Generate new and useful insights about users for the project team and ensure they influence design decisions where relevant.
• Communicate user research insights to the project team and wider stakeholders to improve understanding of users and support actionable recommendations.
• Maintain and develop relationships across product teams and guide the team in understanding research findings and insights.
• Work within agile project teams and provide a focus on user-centred design.
• Advocate for research and user-centred design within the team using evidence from data and research analysis to represent the user in product and design discussions.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management, commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility.

Skills

Qualitative research

User research methods

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

User-centred design

Agile

Accessibility research

Usability testing

Legal/judicial context

Tools

C++

Embedded

Security

Web

Job description

Salary: £68,000 - 108,000 per year

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience of conducting primary public-facing qualitative research, gained through a research role such as market, social or user research.
• Experience using appropriate research methods to generate specific insights into user behaviour and needs.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to analyse multiple sources of data to produce clear recommendations and actionable insights.
• Understanding of user-centred design principles and tools.
• Experience building and reaching consensus with stakeholders and improving stakeholder relationships using evidence.
• Desirable: experience helping teams design and deliver accessible services for all users, and including all kinds of users in research.
• Desirable: experience managing, executing and analysing usability test sessions.
• Desirable: research experience in an agile development environment with user-centred design teams, designers and developers creating new digital products and services.
• Desirable: experience of working with the courts and tribunals service, in the legal community or justice sector.

Responsibilities

• Plan and carry out user research activities as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Work independently on a multidisciplinary team to design, plan and carry out research.
• Conduct user research using a range of methods, selecting the appropriate method depending on programme requirements.
• Source and procure participants and facilities for user research activities, including specifying requirements for user testing groups.
• Test high-level and specific aspects of a service and present research findings to help gain consensus and support action.
• Generate new and useful insights about users for the project team and ensure they influence design decisions where relevant.
• Communicate user research insights to the project team and wider stakeholders to improve understanding of users and support actionable recommendations.
• Maintain and develop relationships across product teams and guide the team in understanding research findings and insights.
• Work within agile project teams and provide a focus on user-centred design.
• Advocate for research and user-centred design within the team using evidence from data and research analysis to represent the user in product and design discussions.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management, commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility.

Technologies

• Support
• C++
• Embedded
• Security
• Web

More

We are HM Courts and Tribunals Service, an agency of the Ministry of Justice, supporting the running and administration of courts and tribunals so justice can be delivered. We are part of HMCTS Digital and Technology Services, a specialist technology directorate committed to providing support across IT and digital, with brilliant training opportunities, expert colleagues, flexible working, and an inclusive culture where your opinion is valued. This is a permanent full-time or flexible working role based nationally, including London, with occasional travel to any HMCTS site as required. We offer development opportunities, including training and learning resources, and provide access to Civil Service benefits including pension, annual leave, public holidays, and season ticket advance.

last updated 36 week of 2026