User Researcher SFIA 5

Layer7; Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Layer7 is seeking an experienced SFIA Level 5 User Researcher to lead user research within a large ID&T programme for a government client. You will drive research strategy, ensure services are guided by robust evidence, and champion user-centred design across complex government services.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, conduct both qualitative and quantitative studies, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a User Researcher at SFIA Level 5.
• Strong understanding of Government Digital Service standards.
• Expertise in selecting and conducting diverse user research methods.
• Experience creating and owning research strategies and delivery plans.

Responsibilities

• Identify and apply qualitative and quantitative research methods for complex problems.
• Own and communicate research strategies and plans aligned to programme objectives.
• Plan, recruit, facilitate, analyze, and report end-to-end user research activities.
• Recruit and manage research participants in line with governance and accessibility requirements.
• Synthesize findings into evidence-based recommendations to inform product direction.
• Identify user needs, behaviours, motivations and pain points.
• Assess research quality and align outputs with professional standards.
• Support stakeholder engagement and communicate findings effectively.
• Reuse existing evidence to maximise organisational value.
• Collaborate with UCD communities and share best practices.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Skills

User research SFIA5

GDS standards

Stakeholder management

Research strategy

Job description

Location: hybrid at any of these sites - Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Blackpool or Newcastle
Rate: £500 per day (Inside IR35)
Contract: ASAP Start - Until 31st March
Clearance: BPSS must be SC Eligible

Overview

We are seeking an experienced SFIA Level 5 User Researcher to support a large-scale Digital, Information & Technology (ID&T) programme within a Government client. The successful candidate will lead user research activities, ensuring services are informed by robust evidence, user needs, and best practice research methodologies.

Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, stakeholders, and the wider UCD community, you will drive research strategy, deliver actionable insights, and champion user-centred design across complex government services.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and apply the most effective qualitative and quantitative research methods to address complex problem spaces.
• Own, develop, and communicate research strategies and plans aligned to programme objectives.
• Conduct end-to-end user research activities including planning, recruitment, facilitation, analysis, and reporting.
• Recruit and manage research participants in accordance with governance and accessibility requirements.
• Synthesize findings from multiple research streams, producing evidence-based recommendations to influence product and service direction.
• Identify and articulate user needs, behaviours, motivations, and pain points.
• Assess research quality and ensure outputs align with recognised professional and User Research standards.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement and communication strategies to ensure research findings are effectively understood and adopted.
• Reuse and build upon existing evidence and insights to avoid duplication and maximise organisational value.
• Collaborate with the wider User Research and UCD communities, sharing knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned.
• Present research findings and recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience operating as a User Researcher at SFIA Level 5 within complex digital transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of Government Digital Service (GDS) standards and user-centred design principles.
• Expertise in selecting and conducting a wide range of user research methods.
• Experience creating and owning research strategies and delivery plans.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Demonstrable experience translating research findings into actionable recommendations.
• Experience recruiting and managing participants for research activities.
• Ability to analyse, synthesise, and communicate complex qualitative and quantitative data.
• Experience working within Agile multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working within DWP, central government, or wider public sector organisations.
• Experience within large-scale digital, data, or technology transformation programmes.
• Active involvement in UCD and User Research communities of practice.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and inclusive research practices.