At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research to shape software for the public sector and enhance user experience.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on impactful digital products.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, remote work flexibility, and occasional travel to London.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with a focus on inclusive design.
- Why this job: Make a difference by understanding user needs and influencing product development.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research, Agile teams, and strong communication skills.
We're looking for an experienced User Researcher to support a product team delivering software used within the public sector. This is a hands-on contract role, working closely with Product, UX, Engineering and customer stakeholders to understand user needs and ensure insight is fed into product development from discovery through to live service. The role is predominantly remote, although there will be occasional travel to UK offices and customer sites, so candidates must be comfortable with some face-to-face research and stakeholder engagement when required.
What you'll be doing:
- Planning and running user research across discovery, alpha, beta and live phases
- Conducting user interviews, usability testing, user groups, workshops and secondary research
- Working with Product and Engineering teams to turn research findings into clear, actionable recommendations
- Creating research plans, discussion guides, scripts, personas, user journeys and user needs
- Supporting usability testing through wireframes, prototypes or working closely with designers on these
- Presenting research findings to product teams, technical teams and wider stakeholders
- Championing inclusive, ethical and user-centred research practices
- Helping teams better understand users, their needs, behaviours and pain points
What we're looking for:
- Strong background as a User Researcher / UX Researcher, ideally in complex software or digital product environments
- Experience working in Agile product teams and feeding research into product roadmaps/backlogs
- Confident planning and delivering research independently with minimal direction
- Good mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Experience producing clear research outputs such as user needs, personas, journeys, recommendations and insight reports
- Comfortable engaging with users, stakeholders, Product Managers, Designers and Engineers
- Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
- Good understanding of inclusive design, accessibility and ethical research
- Ability to work with ambiguity and help shape research priorities in a busy product environment
Desirable experience:
- Local government / local authority experience
- Wider public sector product or service experience
- Experience with Figma or similar prototyping/wireframing tools
- Experience with Pendo or similar product analytics tools
- Knowledge of WCAG accessibility standards
Experience Designer- Researcher in London employer: Data Careers
As an Azure Infrastructure/Cloud Engineer with us, you'll be part of a dynamic and innovative team that values collaboration and professional growth. Our home-based work model, combined with occasional onsite meetings in Southampton, offers you the flexibility to balance your personal and professional life while enjoying competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We are committed to fostering a supportive work culture that encourages continuous learning and development, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in cloud technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experience Designer- Researcher in London
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a freelance UX/UI designer, your portfolio is your best mate. Make sure to showcase a variety of projects that highlight your design process, not just the final product. Include case studies that tell a story about how you approached the problem and the impact of your design solutions.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Dive into online design communities like Dribbble, Behance, or even UX forums on Reddit. These platforms not only allow you to showcase your work but also help you connect with potential clients and fellow designers. Plus, attending local design meetups or online webinars can open up freelance opportunities that aren’t advertised elsewhere.
✨Nail Your Pitch
When reaching out to potential clients, tailor your pitches to their specific needs. Highlight how your skills align with their projects and mention any related work you've done. Remember, clients love to see how you can add value to their business, so be clear about what you can bring to the table.
✨Leverage Social Media for Visibility
Showcase your design work on platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn. Post regularly and engage with your audience; ask for feedback on your designs or share insights into your creative process. This not only builds your brand but can lead to potential clients sliding into your DMs!
We think you need these skills to ace Experience Designer- Researcher in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Portfolio:As a freelance UX/UI designer, your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it’s packed with your best work, showcasing your design process, user flows, and final products. Highlight projects that demonstrate not just your aesthetic skills but also your ability to solve real user problems.
Tailor Your Application to Data Careers:When applying for the freelance role of Experience Designer- Researcher at Data Careers, take a moment to research their style and design language. Customising your CV and portfolio to align with their brand aesthetics shows you're not just any designer, but the perfect fit for their team.
Crisp and Clear Proposals:When you pitch yourself, be direct about what you can bring to the table. Outline your skills clearly and mention your rates upfront. A straightforward proposal lets Data Careers know you're professional and ready to hit the ground running!
Highlight Collaboration Experience:Freelance roles often involve working with various clients. Make sure to showcase any previous collaboration experiences in your CV. Mention how you’ve worked with developers, marketers, or stakeholders to create designs that keep all parties happy — that's a key selling point for us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Data Careers
✨Showcase Your Portfolio like a Pro
Your portfolio is your calling card, so make sure it’s not just pretty but also tells a story. Arrange your best UX/UI design projects in a way that highlights your thought process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your work. Talk about the challenges you faced and how you tackled them—freelancers need to show they can handle real-world problems.
✨Use Design Tools Effectively
Familiarity with design tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD is crucial in our field. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools in real scenarios. They might ask specific technical questions about how you’d approach a design problem or your workflow, so brush up on those details and think of examples from your previous freelance projects.
✨Prepare for Client-Centric Questions
As a freelancer, you'll be client-facing, so expect questions about handling client feedback and managing expectations. Prepare examples of how you've dealt with difficult situations or miscommunications in previous projects. Your ability to communicate effectively with clients is a major selling point, and it’s worth stressing how well you can read and meet their needs.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Self-Management
Freelance work requires a lot of self-discipline and time management. Be prepared to discuss how you organise your time, juggle multiple clients, and prioritise tasks. Sharing how you've successfully managed deadlines and client relationships in the past can really set you apart from the competition and show that you're more than just a designer—you're a complete package.
