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- Tasks: Engage with public sector organisations to enhance cyber security services through user research.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, a leader in digital transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay based on skills, plus opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public services by championing user-centred design.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and ability to communicate insights effectively.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Join to apply for the User Researcher role at Government Digital Service.
Pay Range: This range is provided by Government Digital Service. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Responsibilities:
- Engage with organisations across the public sector to help define and improve cyber security services.
- Plan, design and prepare a range of user research activities to support the design, development and continuous improvement of several services.
- Deliver a wide range of user research activities from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides and moderating research sessions.
- Select and apply user research techniques that are appropriate to the context.
- Communicate user research findings to help teams and the wider organisation develop a deep understanding of users and their needs.
- Work closely with subject matter experts to turn user research findings into stories—and actions—that lead to valuable improvements.
- Champion user‑centred practices to drive greater user orientation across the team.
- Collaborate with the wider user researcher community across government and share best practice.
- Utilise your skills and expertise on other projects or other aspects of this project during your engagement should the organisation’s priorities change.
Person Specification:
- Have broad experience of planning and conducting user research activities that span a large number of organisations or business units and presenting clear findings for your colleagues to use.
- Have applied knowledge of a range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods, and the ability to select appropriate approaches for different contexts.
- Have worked in multidisciplinary teams to deliver new services and involved colleagues to include many kinds of users in appropriate research activities.
- Have experience helping several service teams adopt user‑centred service design and delivery practices and embed them into their agile workflow.
- Have the ability to communicate complex research data into clear findings and insights and tailor them to the needs of various stakeholders.
- Have an understanding of cyber security risk and government cyber security best practices.
- Have experience planning, designing and carrying out research activities according to the Service Manual.
Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time, to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. Whilst a lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance, an expectation of UK residency may range from 3 to 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements needed for the role may result in the withdrawal of provisional job offers.
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type: Full‑time
Job Function: Research
Industries: Government Administration
User Researcher in England employer: Government Digital Service
Contact Detail:
Government Digital Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land User Researcher in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at Government Digital Service. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your user research projects. Highlight how you've used different methods and techniques to solve real problems—this will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or mentors. Focus on explaining your research findings clearly and how they’ve led to actionable insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace User Researcher in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with user research activities. We want to see how your skills align with the responsibilities listed in the job description, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Research Skills: When detailing your experience, focus on the user research methods you've used and the impact they had. We love seeing clear examples of how your findings have led to improvements in services.
Communicate Clearly: Remember, we’re looking for someone who can turn complex data into understandable insights. Use straightforward language in your application to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital Service
✨Know Your User Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on both qualitative and quantitative user research methods. Be ready to discuss which techniques you've used in the past and how they were effective in different contexts. This will show your depth of knowledge and adaptability.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific projects where you’ve planned and conducted user research activities. Be prepared to share clear findings and how they influenced design decisions. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate complex data effectively.
✨Understand Cyber Security Basics
Since this role involves cyber security services, it’s crucial to have a basic understanding of cyber security risks and best practices. Familiarise yourself with relevant terminology and current trends to show you’re engaged and informed.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This position requires working closely with multidisciplinary teams. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with others in the past, especially in user-centred service design. Highlight your ability to champion user-oriented practices within a team setting.