User Researcher GDS

Deerfoot IT Resources Limited; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training budget

Benefits package

Access to external certifications (AWS

Microsoft certifications

Job summary

Deerfoot IT Resources Limited is seeking a User Researcher to lead research for government digital services, shaping strategy and informing design across public sector projects. The role leverages qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, with a focus on ethical, human-centred research in an AI-enabled environment.

The position offers hybrid working with UK-wide office options, and requires willingness to undergo SC clearance.

Qualifications

• GDS experience with knowledge of the GDS Service Standard and design principles.
• Experience leading user research with qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods.
• Experience across the service lifecycle from discovery through to design and delivery.
• Experience leading research in multidisciplinary agile teams using prototypes to test hypotheses and user journeys.
• Strong storytelling, stakeholder management and facilitation skills.
• Desirable: experience using AI-powered research tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research for your team, choosing approaches and methods, and using AI tools to improve efficiency and scale.
• Planning and running qualitative studies, from remote and in-person interviews to observations, diary studies and usability testing.
• Bringing in quantitative methods such as surveys, working with the analytics team to give a holistic view.
• Working closely with clients, product managers, designers, developers and fellow researchers to plan high-impact research.
• Involving your team in analysis and synthesis, and communicating findings that drive evidence-based design decisions.
• Interpreting and contextualising AI-generated insights, making sure they are accurate and used ethically.

Skills

GDS experience

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Mixed methods

Usability testing

AI-powered research tools

Job description

User Researcher GDS

User Research / Mixed Methods / Usability Testing / AI-Enhanced Research / GDS

Hybrid - 2 days in office p/w - choice of UK wide offices including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow

£47,000 - £75,000 DOE + Training Budget and Benefits

Do you want to make sure real users' voices shape the public services people rely on? This User Researcher role puts you in charge of the research for your team, shaping strategy, informing design and influencing delivery on government digital services.

You'll join a growing Experience Design team within a large global technology consultancy. It's a chance to shape how research is done in the age of AI, using AI tools to scale insight while keeping research ethical, inclusive and human-centred.

Our client, a global consultancy, has offices UK wide to choose from, so there will be one close to you. You'll need to be willing to undergo SC clearance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the research for your team, choosing the right approaches and methods, and using AI tools to improve efficiency and scale
• Planning and running qualitative studies, from remote and in-person interviews to observations, diary studies and usability testing
• Bringing in quantitative methods such as surveys, working with the analytics team to give a holistic view
• Working closely with clients, product managers, designers, developers and fellow researchers to plan high-impact research
• Involving your team in analysis and synthesis, and communicating findings that drive evidence-based design decisions
• Interpreting and contextualising AI-generated insights, making sure they are accurate and used ethically

What You'll Bring

• Proven GDS experience, with demonstrable knowledge of the GDS Service Standard and design principles
• Hands-on experience leading user research with qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, and knowing when to apply each
• Experience across the service lifecycle, from discovery through to design and delivery
• Experience leading research in multidisciplinary agile teams, using prototypes to test hypotheses, assumptions and user journeys
• Strong storytelling, stakeholder management and facilitation skillsDesirable: experience using AI-powered research tools

What's On Offer

• Hybrid working, with 2 days a week in the office
• Training budget, with access to a wide range of courses and external certifications such as AWS and Microsoft
• Generous core and flexible benefits package
• A supportive professional community of design and research experts

Please note: candidates must be willing and eligible to undergo SC security clearance, and need to have been UK resident for a minimum of 5 years.

This role may suit candidates who have held roles including: Senior User Researcher, UX Researcher, Design Researcher, Lead User Researcher, Service Designer, Usability Researcher

Keywords: User Researcher, User Research, GDS Service Standard, GDS Design Principles, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Mixed Methods, Usability Testing, Diary Studies, Discovery, Prototyping, Agile, UX Researcher, AI Research Tools, SC Clearance