At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research to shape digital services for millions across the UK.
- Company: Join DWP, the UK's largest government department, focused on user-centred design.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous pension contributions, flexible hours, and extra holidays.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with clear career progression and continuous learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving services that support people's lives every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research methods and leading complex projects.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 68205 £ per year.
Pay up to £68,205, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work-life balance.
We need a skilled Senior User Researcher 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.
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. Experience of persuading others on the value of research, defending research findings and challenging others on the use of research.
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 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.
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.
We offer competitive pay of up to £68,205. You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £19,758. 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
- 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
- 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
Interview: a single stage interview online.
Experience Designer- Researcher in Sunderland employer: DWP Digital
DWP Digital is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead impactful user research that shapes digital services for millions across the UK. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a robust benefits package including a generous pension scheme, DWP fosters a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, ensuring that every team member can thrive while making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experience Designer- Researcher in Sunderland
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at DWP Digital for a Experience Designer- Researcher, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like DWP Digital before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Experience Designer- Researcher in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Experience Designer- Researcher at DWP Digital, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work DWP Digital does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to DWP Digital. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at DWP Digital.
How to prepare for a job interview at DWP Digital
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with DWP Digital, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. DWP Digital might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at DWP Digital!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what DWP Digital is looking for.
