At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research activities to shape user-centred digital services for millions.
- Company: Join DWP, the UK's largest government department, making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous holidays, flexible hours, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic culture with clear career progression and continuous learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a team using cutting-edge tech to improve lives across the UK.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research methods and leading diverse teams.
The predicted salary is between 68205 - 68205 £ per year.
Pay up to £68,205, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work-life balance. DWP Digital needs skilled Senior User Researchers to lead research activities that shape user-centred digital services. In DWP Digital, our teams use fresh ideas and leading-edge tech to build and maintain digital solutions that will be used by nearly every person in the UK, every day and at key moments in their lives.
DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people. The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need to demonstrate in your application?
- Experience of, and can help teams adopt, a wide range of user research methods.
- Can plan user research for services with challenging user needs and complex user journeys.
- Influential, being able to lead and collaborate with other researchers on research projects.
- Significant and demonstrable experience of championing, planning and conducting research approaches which are inclusive of all users.
- Detailed working knowledge and experience of the ethical and data governance requirements of conducting research.
- Proven track record in working effectively with senior stakeholders/clients.
- Experience of persuading others on the value of research, defending research findings and challenging others on the use of research.
- Proven ability to work with constraints, adapting approaches to mitigate against constraints.
You and your role
Our User Researchers work on internal and external user research projects to gather insights and feedback from a diverse range of users. You're an experienced practitioner in User Research, so you'll be used to planning and leading user research activities across complex projects and services. Our User Researchers use a wide range of research methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative depending on the requirements of each project/programme.
You have the expertise to define a problem, and pick the right research strategies and methods to help us understand and design for our users' needs. You'll make telling recommendations based on a variety of research outcomes, which inform the way we deliver our wide range of products and services for millions of people.
We work in an agile environment, as part of multi-disciplinary project teams, and expert communities of practice. You'll keep our teams locked in on user-centred design based on user needs and quality user research. As a Senior Researcher, you'll be an expert voice in our UR community. You will lead and inspire our User Researchers, championing a user-centred and evidence-based approach. You'll be an advocate for inclusive research principles, planning and conduct, considering the diversity of our users and their different needs - DWP services need to work for everyone.
Our User Research team - culture, learning & community
Our User Research community is well-established, but we continue to grow, and there is a clear progression pathway and opportunity to nurture your skills and career. We're also part of a collaborative UX/Product Design community, working with interaction designers, content designers and more to get better together. You'll have access to whatever learning works for you to keep you at the top of your UR game. And we continually evolve our research methodologies and tools, so we have the clearest understanding of our users and how our services are working.
Details
Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.
Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.
Pay: We offer competitive pay of up to £68,205.
Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £19,758.
Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time. You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.
We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
- Time off volunteering and charitable giving
- Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
- Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
- Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
- Sports and social activities
- Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.
And we have an award-winning environment and culture:
- DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
- Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
- Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
- Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards
Process: We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:
- Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through.
- Interview: a single stage interview online.
CLICK APPLY for more information and to start your application.
Locations
Senior User Researcher in Leeds, Yorkshire employer: DWP Digital
DWP Digital is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to user-centred digital services that impact millions of lives across the UK. With a strong focus on work-life balance, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to employee growth through professional development and mentoring, DWP fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture. Join us in one of our vibrant digital hubs, where you'll be part of a supportive community dedicated to innovation and excellence in user research.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior User Researcher in Leeds, Yorkshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former DWP employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. Personal connections can give you insights that you won't find anywhere else.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by practising common user research scenarios. Think about how you'd tackle complex user journeys and be ready to discuss your past experiences. We want to see how you think and approach problems, so show us your thought process!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your passion for user-centred design! During the interview, share examples of how you've championed inclusive research principles in your previous roles. We love to hear about your commitment to making services work for everyone.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at DWP. So, hit that apply button and let’s get started on this journey together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior User Researcher in Leeds, Yorkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Research Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience with various user research methods. We want to see how you've led research activities and how you can help teams adopt these methods. Be specific about the projects you've worked on!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We love seeing how you connect your background to what we do at DWP.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for user research and how it drives you to make a difference.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application there.
How to prepare for a job interview at DWP Digital
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on a wide range of user research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully applied these in past projects, especially in complex user journeys. This will show that you can adapt your approach based on the needs of the service.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior User Researcher, you'll need to lead and inspire others. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with teams and influenced stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to champion user-centred design and defend your research findings.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
DWP values inclusive research principles, so be ready to discuss how you've conducted research that considers diverse user needs. Share specific instances where your research has led to more accessible and effective services for all users.
✨Prepare for Ethical Considerations
Familiarise yourself with ethical and data governance requirements in user research. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated these challenges in your work, ensuring that your research is not only effective but also responsible and respectful of user privacy.
