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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research to shape strategies and guide design decisions.
- Company: Join a team dedicated to designing services that protect national security.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive pay, and the chance to influence impactful projects.
- Why this job: Tackle complex problems while mentoring others and pushing the craft of UX forward.
- Qualifications: 8+ years of experience in user research with a strong portfolio and communication skills.
- Other info: Must be eligible for SC clearance; bonus points for public sector experience.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
SENIOR UX RESEARCHER – SC Clearance Required
đź’°500-600pd DOE
đź“ŤHYBRID/LONDON (2 days onsite)
đź‘€ Must have active SC Clearance
👩🏻 💻Designing Services that protect National Security
The role
We’re looking for a Senior User Researcher who’s grounded in delivery, sharp on the detail, and confident in leading user research across public services.
This is not a “pure research” role sitting on the sidelines. You’ll be embedded in agile teams, shaping services from discovery through to live. That means asking the right questions, surfacing evidence, and keeping user needs front and centre – every sprint, every playback, every trade-off.
You’ll also help steer how research works across our team – coaching juniors, building capability, and making sure insight feeds strategy, not just validation.
What you\’ll be doing
- Leading end-to-end research across Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live phases
- Running interviews, usability tests, contextual research, and surveys, choosing the right method for the job, not the handbook
- Keeping feedback loops alive – connecting regularly with users to understand real-world needs, not just what they say
- Turning research into action: journey maps, pain point summaries, user needs, problem statements, priorities
- Helping teams test ideas early – prototypes, content, flows, concepts before they harden into code
- Facilitating workshops, playback sessions, and cross-team alignment – keeping everyone close to the why, not just the what
- Supporting inclusive research practices – meeting GDS and WCAG standards and designing with, not just for
What we’re looking for
- 8+ years of hands-on research experience across complex digital services
- Proven experience of planning, lead, and deliver user research for public services across Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live phases
- Proven experience leading research in agile teams (public sector a big plus)
- Strong portfolio or case studies that show how your work led to better decisions and outcomes
- Confident working with both qualitative and quantitative methods
- Clear communicator who can land insights with stakeholders at every level
- Experience working to GDS standards, including assessments and service patterns
- Deep understanding of inclusive design and accessibility (WCAG 2.2)
- Comfortable mentoring and leading research in multi-disciplinary teams
- Experience with service blueprinting or integrating research into policy and ops is a bonus
- SAAS/Salesforce background? That’s a nice-to-have
- Must have active SC clearance
The mindset
You take ownership. You’re not afraid to challenge assumptions. You bring energy, clarity, and craft to your work. You advocate for users even when it\’s hard, and help others do the same. You’re delivery-minded, not just theory-led.
If you’re looking to do meaningful research that shapes services people depend on – and to do it in teams that respect the role of design – you’ll fit right in.
🫵 Join us and help shape the future of digital public services!
At Pixelated People, we don’t just do inclusion and diversity. We embrace people that have different opinions, perspectives and personalities. Because we believe that by seeing the world from all sorts of angles, we can make life better for all the people who live in it. So we want you to know that the things that make you, you — like your age, ability, background and identity — are things that we celebrate and support.
Senior UX Researcher employer: Pixelated People
Contact Detail:
Pixelated People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior UX Researcher
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the UX research field, especially those who have experience in public sector projects. Attend relevant meetups or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about their experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and methodologies in user research, particularly those that focus on inclusivity and accessibility. This will not only enhance your skills but also demonstrate your commitment to user-centred design.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific case studies from your portfolio that showcase your ability to influence stakeholders and drive design decisions based on user insights. Be ready to explain the impact of your work clearly and compellingly.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter’s values and projects to align your approach with our mission. Understanding our goals will help you articulate how your experience can contribute to our team and the services we provide.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior UX Researcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in UX research, particularly focusing on your ability to lead end-to-end research and synthesize data into actionable insights. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your impact.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for user-centred design and how your 8+ years of experience align with the role's requirements. Mention your familiarity with agile teams and your ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your portfolio that showcases projects where you’ve made a significant impact. Highlight case studies that illustrate your problem-solving skills and your approach to inclusive research.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've mentored others and pushed the craft of UX research forward in your previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pixelated People
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your impactful projects. Focus on how your research has led to tangible outcomes, demonstrating your ability to connect user needs with business goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve complex problems or describe how you would approach specific research scenarios. Be ready to discuss your thought process and the methods you would choose for different situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since storytelling with data is crucial for this role, practice explaining your findings clearly and concisely. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you've influenced stakeholders with your insights.
✨Emphasise Inclusion and Accessibility
Given the importance of inclusive research, be prepared to discuss how you incorporate accessibility into your work. Familiarise yourself with WCAG guidelines and be ready to share examples of how you've applied these principles in your research.
