User Researcher (SC Cleared)

User Researcher

*candidates must hold an active SC Clearance*

Start: ASAP
Duration: initial 12-month contract
Location: 2-days per week in London
Pay: £650-700 per day (inside IR35)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior User Researcher to lead and deliver high-quality user research activities across complex digital services. You will play a key role in shaping how we understand user needs, influence design decisions, and embed user-centred thinking within multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership & Delivery
- Plan, schedule, and conduct user research and usability testing.
- Synthesize research findings into clear, actionable insights.
- Collate and communicate feedback to wider programme stakeholders.
- Identify research opportunities and proactively shape the research agenda.

Building User-Centred Practices
- Establish and promote user-centred practices within new and existing teams.
- Align research activities with wider service and organisational strategies.
- Mentor and develop other researchers to ensure high professional standards.

Agile Research Practices
- Advocate for agile ways of working and adapt research methods accordingly.
- Align research focus with product and delivery priorities.
- Influence strategic and tactical decisions through evidence-based insights.

Analysis & Synthesis
- Apply and advise on a range of analytical and synthesis methods.
- Facilitate collaborative analysis with multidisciplinary teams.
- Review and assure the quality of research outputs.

Inclusive Research
- Champion inclusive and accessible research practices.
- Ensure that research includes and represents diverse user groups.
- Help teams design and deliver services that work for all users.

Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Communicate research findings effectively to influence decision-making.
- Manage expectations and maintain transparent stakeholder engagement.

Essential Skills and Experience
- Proven experience in planning and leading user research in complex, agile environments.
- Strong understanding of user-centred design principles and service design.
- Demonstrable experience using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience mentoring and assuring the work of other researchers.

Desirable
- Experience working within government or large-scale public sector projects.
- Familiarity with the Government Digital Service (GDS) framework and service standards.