User Researcher

At Amber Labs, we are a cutting‑edge UK and European technology consultancy that prioritises autonomy, experimentation, and rapid learning to deliver exceptional value to our clients. Our company culture is highly collaborative – whether you’re a consultant or part of our internal team, everyone contributes to reducing risk and accelerating delivery.

We work extensively within the UK public sector, supporting Central Government departments through digital transformation and user‑centred design practices.

Role Overview

We are seeking a User Researcher with active SC Clearance to join a multidisciplinary team on a Central Government engagement. In this role, you’ll be responsible for planning and delivering high‑quality user research that informs the design and delivery of public services.

You’ll work closely with service designers, interaction designers, product managers, and developers to ensure decisions are grounded in real user needs. Your insights will shape both strategic direction and day‑to‑day design decisions, helping teams build services that are accessible, inclusive, and effective.

This is a high‑impact opportunity where your work will directly influence how citizens and civil servants experience critical government services.

Key Responsibilities

Research Planning & Delivery:

Design and conduct a range of qualitative and quantitative research activities, including interviews, usability testing, surveys, and field studies.

User Insight Generation:

Analyse and synthesise research findings into clear, actionable insights that inform design and delivery decisions.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Present research findings to stakeholders at all levels, ensuring insights are understood and influence decision‑making.

Embedding User‑Centred Design:

Champion user needs within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring research is embedded throughout the product and service life‑cycle.

Collaboration with Design & Delivery Teams:

Work closely with service designers, interaction designers, and developers to iterate solutions based on user feedback.

Accessibility & Inclusion:

Ensure research practices are inclusive and representative of diverse user groups, including those with accessibility needs. Support ongoing discovery by identifying knowledge gaps, defining research priorities, and contributing to product and service strategy.

Standards & Governance:

Ensure all research aligns with GDS Service Standards, including ethical research practices, data protection, and accessibility requirements.

Requirements

• Security Clearance: Must hold active SC clearance.
• Experience conducting user research within central government or public sector environments.
• Experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to plan, conduct, and synthesise research using a variety of methods.
• Strong understanding of how to influence design and product decisions through evidence‑based insights.
• Experience collaborating with service designers, content designers, interaction designers, and product teams.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and shaping research approaches in fast‑paced environments.
• Knowledge of accessibility, inclusion, and GDS Service Standards.
• Familiarity with tools such as Dovetail, Optimal Workshop, Miro, and Jira/Confluence.
• Ability to manage multiple research activities and prioritise effectively.
• Join a rapidly expanding consultancy where personal growth is part of our DNA.
• Flexible hybrid working focused on deliverable outcomes.
• Private medical insurance (Aviva) and pension plan (Nest).
• 25 days of annual leave plus UK bank holidays.
• Access to Perkbox, our employee rewards platform offering discounts, perks, and wellbeing resources.