User Researcher - GDS - SEO

Manchester Digital; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a mid-weight User Researcher to join their Workforce and Capability Division. In this role, you will conduct user research activities to inform cross-government strategies and ensure alignment with the needs of digital professionals. This position offers an opportunity to shape policies that drive digital transformation across government.

Qualifications

• Experience in analysing complex problems and aligning user research activities.
• Experience planning and conducting user research projects.
• Ability to present findings clearly for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and prepare user research activities.
• Apply techniques for analysis of research data.
• Present clear findings for decision-making.

Skills

User research methodologies

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Presenting findings

Problem-solving

Job description

Location: Bristol, London, Manchester

About the Job

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.

Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government by:

• joining up public sector services
• harnessing the power of AI for the public good
• strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
• elevating leadership and investing in talent
• funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
• committing to transparency and driving accountability

We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world‑leading GOV.UK and are at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.

We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.

The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale.

Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nation’s highest‑priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.

Government Digital, Data Workforce and Capability

Join Government Digital and Data Workforce and Capability, where our mission is to ensure the government possesses the necessary talent to drive digital transformation and overcome the challenges ahead.

As part of the team, you will help shape the future of digital strategy and capabilities, providing vital insights that support cross‑departmental policies, standards, and strategies.

We're entrusted with devising strategies and delivering results for a community of 30,000+ digital innovators, aspiring talent, and the broader civil service.

We Are Responsible For

• Delivering the cross‑government Blueprint for modern digital government
• Digital, Data and Technology Strategy and Standards, like the Technology Code of Practice, the Service Standard and Open Standards
• Cross‑government performance and assurance, including Spend Controls
• Government Digital and Data Capability Framework

Job Description

Join the Workforce and Capability Division, where our mission is to equip government with the talent and insight needed to drive digital transformation and tackle future challenges. As a mid‑weight User Researcher, you’ll play a key role in shaping cross‑government strategies through evidence‑based insights and user‑centred design.

You’ll be part of a multidisciplinary agile team working on the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, which defines roles and skills across digital, data and technology. Your research will inform updates to this framework, ensuring it remains relevant, usable, and aligned with the needs of practitioners and departments.

Your responsibilities will include planning, designing and conducting user research activities to understand the needs of digital and data professionals across government. You’ll collaborate with stakeholders, communities of practice, and expert working groups to gather insights that support recruitment, workforce planning, and skills development.

You’ll work closely with content designers and policy leads to ensure our frameworks, standards and propositions are grounded in real user needs. Your work will help shape principles, policies and standards that underpin a consistent and effective approach to capability building across government.

As a User Researcher You’ll

• Plan, design, and prepare a range of user research activities to support the design, development, and continuous improvement of the Workforce Transformation Team (Resourcing, Pay and Reward, Capability and Strategic Workforce Planning).
• Apply techniques for the analysis of research data and synthesis of findings.
• Present clear findings that both technical and non‑technical colleagues can understand and use.
• Work closely with subject‑matter experts to turn user research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable improvements.
• Design and conduct research so the findings can be embedded into an agile workflow.

Person Specification

We’re Interested In People Who Have

• Demonstratable experience in analysing complex problems faced by teams and strategically aligning user research activities to inform decision‑making and drive actionable outcomes.
• Experience in planning and conducting user research projects.
• The ability to present clear findings that colleagues can understand and use.
• Experience in identifying important stakeholders and communicating with them clearly and regularly.
• Experience in advocating for user research and engaging colleagues and stakeholders to help inform decisions.
• Experience in analysing research data to inform prioritisation and decision‑making.